18-Wheeler & Trucking Accident Attorneys in Delaware

When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything

The impact was catastrophic. One moment you’re driving through Delaware, and the next, an 80,000-pound truck is jackknifing across your lane. In an instant, your life changes forever.

Every 16 minutes, someone in America is injured in a commercial truck crash. Over 5,000 people die in trucking accidents annually—and 76% of them were in the smaller vehicle. Delaware’s position along major East Coast freight corridors means our highways see significant commercial truck traffic, putting local drivers at elevated risk.

When you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler in Delaware, you need more than a lawyer—you need a fighter. Attorney911 has spent over 25 years taking on trucking companies and winning. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner since 1998, brings federal court experience and a track record of multi-million dollar verdicts to every case. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working for insurance companies—now he fights against them, giving our clients insider knowledge of how trucking insurers operate.

Why Delaware 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different

Trucking accidents aren’t just bigger car crashes. They’re complex cases involving federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and sophisticated defense teams. Here’s what makes Delaware trucking cases unique:

Delaware’s Critical Trucking Corridors

Delaware may be small, but its location makes it a freight bottleneck. Interstate 95—the busiest truck corridor on the East Coast—runs the entire length of our state, carrying freight from Maine to Florida. I-295 provides an alternative route around Wilmington, while I-495 offers a bypass through the industrial corridor.

The Port of Wilmington serves as a major hub for refrigerated cargo—particularly banana and fruit imports—creating significant truck traffic between the port and distribution centers. Delaware’s lack of sales tax has attracted numerous fulfillment centers, with Amazon and other retailers operating massive facilities that generate constant freight movement.

This combination of major interstate corridors, port activity, and distribution center density creates unique trucking risks in Delaware. The I-95 corridor through Wilmington is particularly congested, with tight merges and heavy commercial traffic increasing accident potential.

Federal Regulations That Protect You

Every 18-wheeler operating in Delaware must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These rules exist to prevent accidents—and when trucking companies break them, we use those violations to prove negligence.

Hours of Service (49 CFR Part 395):

• Maximum 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
• Cannot drive beyond 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
• Required 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours driving
• 60/70 hour weekly limits with mandatory 34-hour restart

Driver Qualification (49 CFR Part 391):

• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) required
• Medical certification every 2 years maximum
• Background checks and driving record verification
• Pre-employment and random drug testing

Vehicle Safety (49 CFR Part 393):

• Cargo securement standards with specific working load limits
• Brake system requirements and inspection protocols
• Lighting and reflector specifications
• Tire tread depth minimums (4/32″ steer tires, 2/32″ others)

Inspection and Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396):

• Pre-trip and post-trip driver inspections required
• Annual comprehensive vehicle inspections
• Maintenance record retention for 12 months
• Repair documentation for all defects

When we investigate your Delaware trucking accident, we subpoena these records. ELD data reveals hours-of-service violations. Maintenance records expose deferred repairs. Driver qualification files show negligent hiring. Each violation strengthens your case.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Delaware

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer and cab skid in opposite directions, with the trailer folding at an angle like a pocket knife. This often happens on Delaware’s I-95 corridor during sudden braking, particularly in wet conditions near the Delaware Memorial Bridge or through Wilmington’s tight curves.

Jackknife accidents frequently result in multi-vehicle pileups when the trailer sweeps across multiple lanes. The physics are unforgiving—once a trailer begins to swing, nearby drivers have virtually no time to react. We investigate brake application timing through ECM data, examine whether the driver adjusted speed for conditions, and analyze cargo loading that may have contributed to instability.

Underride Collisions

Among the most fatal trucking accidents, underride collisions occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath. The trailer height often shears off the passenger compartment at windshield level.

Rear underride guards are federally required on trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998, but these guards sometimes fail or are inadequately maintained. Side underride guards have NO federal requirement—though advocacy continues. Delaware’s dense I-95 traffic and frequent lane changes create conditions where side underride accidents occur.

We examine underride guard compliance, maintenance records, and whether proper lighting and reflectors were present. These cases often involve product liability claims against trailer manufacturers when guards fail to perform as designed.

Rear-End Collisions

An 80,000-pound truck requires approximately 525 feet to stop from 65 mph—nearly two football fields. This 40% longer stopping distance compared to passenger vehicles makes rear-end collisions particularly devastating.

Common causes include following too closely, driver distraction from cell phones or dispatch communications, fatigue-delayed reaction times, and brake failures from poor maintenance. Delaware’s congested I-95 corridor through Wilmington sees frequent rear-end accidents during rush hour slowdowns.

We pursue ECM data showing following distance calculations, ELD records for fatigue analysis, cell phone records for distraction evidence, and complete brake maintenance histories. Each data point builds the negligence case.

Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)

18-wheelers require significant space to complete turns—the trailer tracks inside the cab’s path, forcing drivers to swing wide. This creates dangerous gaps that passenger vehicles enter, leading to crushing accidents when the truck completes its turn.

Delaware’s older urban areas, particularly Wilmington and Newark, have tight intersections that exacerbate wide turn risks. Industrial areas near the Port of Wilmington see frequent truck maneuvering in confined spaces.

We investigate turn signal activation, mirror checks, driver training on turning procedures, and intersection design that may have contributed. These cases often involve both driver error and inadequate training by the trucking company.

Blind Spot Accidents (“No-Zone”)

18-wheelers have four major blind spots where drivers cannot see other vehicles:

• Front No-Zone: 20 feet directly ahead—low vehicles disappear
• Rear No-Zone: 30 feet behind—no rear-view mirror visibility
• Left Side No-Zone: Extends from cab door backward
• Right Side No-Zone: Largest and most dangerous—extends from cab door significantly backward

Delaware’s dense I-95 traffic and frequent lane changes create constant blind spot exposure. The right-side blind spot is particularly dangerous due to its size and Delaware’s highway configuration with frequent entrance/exit ramps.

We examine mirror condition and adjustment, lane change data from ECM, turn signal usage, and driver training on blind spot awareness. FMCSA requires mirrors providing clear rear view on both sides—violations prove negligence.

Tire Blowout Accidents

With 18 tires per truck, blowout potential is significant. Steer tire (front) blowouts cause immediate loss of control. “Road gators”—shredded tire debris—cause thousands of secondary accidents annually.

Delaware’s temperature variations and I-95’s heavy traffic create conditions where tire failures occur. Underinflation, overloading, and heat buildup from sustained highway speeds contribute.

We pursue tire maintenance records, inflation documentation, age and wear records, and vehicle weight certification. FMCSA requires minimum tread depths and proper inspection—violations establish liability.

Brake Failure Accidents

Brake problems factor in approximately 29% of large truck crashes. Complete failure typically results from systematic maintenance neglect—worn pads, improper adjustment, air brake leaks, or overheating on long descents.

Delaware’s relatively flat terrain reduces mountain-grade brake stress, but I-95’s heavy traffic creates frequent stop-and-go conditions that accelerate brake wear. The Delaware Memorial Bridge approach requires significant braking.

We examine complete brake maintenance histories, out-of-service inspection records, driver vehicle inspection reports, and ECM brake application data. FMCSA’s systematic inspection requirements—when violated—prove negligence.

Cargo Spill and Shift Accidents

Improperly secured cargo causes rollovers when weight shifts, and spills create secondary accident hazards. Delaware’s Port of Wilmington generates significant refrigerated and container cargo traffic with securement challenges.

FMCSA’s cargo securement rules specify working load limits, tiedown requirements, and blocking/bracing standards. Violations cause accidents we litigate.

We pursue loading company records, cargo manifests, securement equipment specifications, and driver training documentation. Each violation strengthens the negligence case.

Head-On Collisions

Among the deadliest accident types, head-on collisions occur when trucks cross into oncoming traffic—often from fatigue, distraction, or impairment. Delaware’s two-lane highways and I-95 construction zones create head-on exposure.

The combined closing speeds make these almost always fatal or catastrophic. We investigate ELD fatigue data, cell phone records, and drug/alcohol testing to establish cause.

Catastrophic Injuries and Your Recovery

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The forces in an 18-wheeler accident cause the brain to impact the skull’s interior, resulting in traumatic brain injury. Symptoms range from headaches and confusion to permanent cognitive impairment and personality changes.

TBI cases require extensive documentation of cognitive deficits, future care needs, and lost earning capacity. Our experience includes a $5+ million settlement for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log—demonstrating our capability to secure substantial recoveries for life-altering injuries.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

Spinal damage from trucking accidents often results in paraplegia or quadriplegia—permanent paralysis requiring lifelong care. The lifetime costs exceed $1.1 million for paraplegia and $3.5+ million for quadriplegia, not including lost wages or pain and suffering.

We work with life care planners and economic experts to calculate and prove these substantial future costs, ensuring settlements account for decades of necessary care.

Amputation

Crushing forces in trucking accidents frequently cause traumatic amputations or injuries so severe that surgical amputation becomes necessary. Our firm secured a $3.8+ million settlement for a client who lost a limb after a car crash—demonstrating our commitment to maximizing recovery for catastrophic injuries.

Prosthetics require ongoing replacement throughout life, and we ensure these future costs are included in any settlement.

Wrongful Death

When trucking negligence takes a loved one, surviving family members face unimaginable loss. Delaware law allows wrongful death claims for lost income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses.

Our firm has recovered millions for families devastated by fatal trucking accidents. We handle these cases with compassion while aggressively pursuing accountability.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Delaware Trucking Case

25+ Years of Federal Court Experience

Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. His admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, gives us federal court capability essential for interstate trucking cases. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations including BP in the Texas City Refinery explosion litigation—one of the few Texas firms involved in that $2.1 billion disaster case.

The Insurance Defense Advantage

Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who spent years inside the system. He watched adjusters minimize claims, learned how they train their people to lowball victims, and saw exactly what makes insurance companies settle. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for maximum compensation for our clients.

As client Chad Harris told us: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Multi-Million Dollar Results

Our track record speaks for itself:

• $5+ million for traumatic brain injury (falling log accident)
• $3.8+ million for partial leg amputation (car accident with medical complications)
• $2+ million for maritime back injury (Jones Act case)
• $2.5+ million for commercial truck crash recovery

Client Glenda Walker put it simply: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Spanish-Language Representation

Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish representation without interpreters—building trust and ensuring accurate communication for Delaware’s Hispanic community. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol

Trucking companies don’t wait—and neither do we. Within 24-48 hours of being retained, we send spoliation letters demanding preservation of:

• ECM/Black box data (overwrites in 30 days)
• ELD hours-of-service records (6-month retention)
• Driver qualification files (hiring, training, medical records)
• Maintenance and inspection records (brake, tire, system checks)
• Dashcam and surveillance footage (often deleted in 7-14 days)
• Dispatch logs and communications (pressure to violate regulations)
• Drug and alcohol test results

Every hour you wait, evidence disappears. The trucking company has lawyers working right now. What are you doing?

Delaware Trucking Accident FAQ

How long do I have to file a trucking accident lawsuit in Delaware?

Delaware gives you two years from the date of your trucking accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. But waiting is dangerous—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and trucking companies build their defense from day one. Contact an attorney immediately.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Delaware follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. You can recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. This makes thorough investigation and evidence preservation critical.

How much insurance do trucking companies carry?

Federal law requires minimum liability coverage of $750,000 for non-hazardous freight, $1 million for oil and large equipment, and $5 million for hazardous materials. Many carriers carry $1-5 million or more. This higher coverage means catastrophic injuries can actually be compensated—if you have an attorney who knows how to access these policies.

What makes Attorney911 different from other firms?

Three things set us apart: 25+ years of federal court experience with Ralph Manginello, former insurance defense attorney Lupe Peña who knows every tactic trucking insurers use, and proven multi-million dollar results including a $5+ million brain injury settlement and $3.8+ million amputation recovery. As client Donald Wilcox told us: “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

Your Next Step: Call Attorney911 Today

The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. Evidence is disappearing while you read this.

You don’t have to face this alone. Attorney911 has the experience, resources, and determination to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. 24/7 availability.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Your fight starts with one call.