Loia mo Faili o Taavale 18-Uila i le Eastern District

A’o Tutuila i le Si’osi’omaga Fa’asoa o Auala i le Mauga, E Tuligā oe i se Taugā

Ua suia uma mea i se taimi. I se taimi, ua e fa’autagata i auala matu’uola o le Eastern District i tala o Fale o Pago Pago. I le taimi sosoo, se taavale fa’alapalapa 80,000 pauna e fai ma ta’avale fa’alauiloa i le vaila’au talipau ua leiloa ana frake i le tuliluli mai le Mauga o Alava. I auala faaiti o Tutuila lea e sosoo ai mauga matafa ma le Pasefika, e leai se mea e alu ai. Leai se tauaga. Leai se ala fa’apaleina.

Ua matou iloa mea ua tu iai oe. O puna vakavaletapisi iave ki Haiwai mo le toe fuafuaina. O le fuafuaina i le Falema’i LBJ Tropical Medical Center. Fesili e uiga i le mea poo le aofio’iga o le Māloa Maualuga o Amerika Sāmoa e mafai ona fa’atagaina, poo pe a afai fa’asoa auega fa’amalosi feso’ota’i aupito i fa’alavelave e aofia ai ta’avale talipau e alu i le fale o le malae. I totonu o 25 tausaga o le taua mo tagata e soli tuipati, ua matou va’aia fa’afaili o ta’avale i teritori o le Pasefika na faia ai upega fa’amasinoga fa’apitoa—le a feagai ai tulafono fa’amasinoga fa’asoa i aupito fa’asoa lelei a le malo, ma le feagai ai o aganu’u fa’asoa i tagata fa’asala fa’alautasi.

O Ralph Manginello, o le pule o matou ofisa, ua to’oto’i lava tausaga e lua fa’ae-tasi e fa’amaonia kamupani ta’avale mai Houston ki teritori o le Pasefika, maua ai gaoioiga o le seleni miliona tutupu e le tele mo aiga pei o lou aiga. O matou loia fa’aalāga Lupe Peña ua to’oto’i tausaga e galue i totonu o kamupani inisiua a’o le’i auai i matou—o le taimi nei fa’aogaina lona iloa fa’aotometi e toʻa pea ai i latou.

Afa’i pe o se tasi e ou te alofa i na mafatia e se taavale fa’asoa i le Eastern District, vala’au i le 1-888-ATTY-911 i le taimi lava a’e. O fa’amaumauga e galo vave i le siama o le tau, ma kamupani fa’atau vave e fa’amama i latou i totonu.

Hablamos Español. O Lupe Peña te’iina gaoioiga to’oto’o i le gagana Espania.

A le Fa’afitauli o Faili Ta’avale 18-Uila i le Eastern District

Geography o le Mataga

E le’o fa’afitauli le Eastern District i auala ta’avale i Tekisese po’o Arizona. Iinei i Tutuila, o auala e lipi i tua o mauga masini. O le auala autu—se ribina faaiti, gatasaga o asphalt e feso’ota’i Pago Pago i Tafuna—e le’i faia e fa’amalama ai le fa’asoa tele o ta’avale na lave ai talipau ma fale fa’atau.

Mataga i Auala Mauga: O auala e mau’u a’e i Aua po’o le tipi i le ogatoto o le motu e aofia ai faitaua e sili atu i le 8%. Mo taavale fa’atumu o lo’o ave i’a talipau mai le talipau po’o tapuni mai le malae, o nei tuliluli na faia ai le fa’aleaga tele o puni frake. A fa’aleleia le frake i se auala mauga i le Eastern District, e leai se auala fa’apaleina e pei o lea ua maua i Interstate 10. E i ai lava le vao, tua, po’o le sami.

Siama o le Tau: E ese mai i nofoaga malulu, o le Eastern District e feagai ai ma timuga o le tausaga ta’itasi e sili atu i le 208+ inches i nisi vaega. O fa’aleleia fa’atele o le tau na faia ai le fa’afuafua fa’atele i le Auala 001 ma 005. O auala sela fa’atasi ma ta’avale tele o le malae na faia ai fa’afitauli mo faili fa’afepuli a ta’avale a’o latou taavale fa’autaga i Coconut Point po’o Fagatogo.

Potupotu o le Malae: O le Malae o Pago Pago te’iina nisi o le fale vaa tai sili o le South Pacific. O ta’avale tautua i le talipau StarKist po’o le ave mea tau a le malo fa’afao i taimiga matua. A o alu vave ta’avale e feagai ai ma taimi fa’aoso o va’a, ua latou fa’aleleia ai fa’atonuga saogalemu na faia e fa’ataunoese ai le fa’aleaga i nei auala faaiti.

Teritori Fa’amasinoga a le Malo Lautele, Faafofoga Fa’asoa

O Amerika Sāmoa e pulea i lalo o se fa’avae fa’ale-tulafono fa’apitoa. O le Māloa Maualuga o Amerika Sāmoa e pulea ai mata’afa e soli tuipati, o lea o ta’avale fa’asoa e te’iina aofia ai fa’asoa aupito a auala a le malo i lalo o le Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). O lenei fa’afitauli o faafofoga o lona uiga o lou fa’afitauli e mafai ona aofia ai:

• Fa’amalosia o 49 CFR Parts 390-396 (fa’atonuga fa’asoa a le malo lautele)
• Tulafono o le fa’asoa o le toga fa’asese i Amerika Sāmoa (comparative negligence)
• Faafofoga fa’afanua pe afai o le taavale i totonu o galuega malae
• Faufau fa’asoa aupito a le malo a’o ni va’a i fafo

O matou vaega e malamalama i nei feagai. O le fa’amalosia o Ralph Manginello ki le Malo o le District of Texas i le Sasae—fa’atasi ma le to’oto’iga o matou ofisa i fa’afitauli fa’afanua ma teritori—na aumai ai lea agavaa e ala i fa’afitauli fa’asoa o le Eastern District.

Tau o Tagata i se Teritori Itiiti

I se teritori faapotopoto o le sia slia i le 50,000 tagata, o se fa’aleaga o ta’avale e liu ai i le atunuu atoa. A o se tamaoaiga o se aiga e mafatia i se fa’aleaga frake i lalo o le talipau, o le aafiaga e solia atu i nisi o fa’amalaga fale lotu, fa’atete aiga, ma le balansi fa’asoa o le olaga i le motu.

Ua matou toe maua $50 miliona mo tagata soli i totonu o matou malaga fa’aogaa, aofia ai $5 miliona mo se tagata mafatia o le ulu ma $3.8 miliona mo se tagata le amputa. While faili faili faili faili Eastern District faili, ua matou aumai lea faitau fa’asoa ki aiga o le Pasefika e manaomia le toa.

15 Ituaiga o Faili Ta’avale i le Eastern District e Matou Faia

1. Faili Fa’afepuli i Auala Mauga

O fa’afepuli ia timu a o le fa’apipi’i o le va’a i le taavale. I auala umi o le Eastern District, o nei fa’aleaga o le a fa’aleaga tele.

A faia ai iinei: O tuliluli i lalo mai le Mauga Alava i Pago Pago na faia ai mata e le malamalama o ta’avale le mafai ona pulea. A frake faleta’avale i luga o le auala sela i Malaeimi po’o Tafuna, o le va’a e liu i tua i le tua o mauga po’o le auala o ta’avale e alu mai.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: I lalo o 49 CFR § 392.6, o ta’avale e tatau ona fa’aogina i le maualuga feagai ai ma fa’afitauli. O tulafono o FMCSA e mana’omia ai frake e mafai ona pulea tuliluli. A ta’avale e sili atu i le maualuga feagai i le tuliluli e fa’amalama ai ia i taimi o le malae, ua latou fa’aleleia ai fa’atonuga saogalemu a le malo lautele.

Mafataga Masani: Fa’aleaga i le ulu mai le va’a liu, ta’avale pali i totonu o vaega fa’apipi’i, fa’aleaga o le ivi.

2. Fa’afitauli Underride i le Malae

A o ta’avale itiiti te’iina o le tua po’o le itu o se va’a ma sosoo i lalo, o le a sau ai le po’o o le fa’aleaga tele o le ulu. O toto o le Eastern District e leai se fa’amalosia fou o guards i nisi auala.

A faia ai iinei: O le fa’ato’a a le Malae o Pago Pago e fa’aali ai ta’avale e leai se mataala. O ta’avale nofo maualalo—masani i Amerika Sāmoa—e sosoo i lalo o va’a e leai se guards i le tua e pei ona mana’omia i 49 CFR § 393.86.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: O Part 393 e mana’omia ai guards i le tua o va’a na faia i le 1998, o lea o le tele o ta’avale masani tali e na’o lea po’o na to’otoga laititi.

3. Fa’afitauli i le Tua o Auala 001

O le auala autu o le matu’u o lo’o feagai ai vaega fa’alata faaiti ma fa’ato’a fa’aiti mo nofoaga. O ta’avale talipau e mulimuli faapito na faia ai fa’aleaga tele i le tua.

A faia ai iinei: I le 65 mph i luga o auala sela i Nu’uuli, o se taavale fa’atumu e mana’o ai 500 fitu e fa’ato’a. A ta’avale e mulimuli faapito (49 CFR § 392.11 fa’aleleia le tulafono “fa’ato’a ma fa’amalosa”), na latou faaleleia ai ta’avale itiiti ki le tua o ta’avale o le malae.

4. Fa’aleleia o Frake i Tuliluli

O siama o le tau ma mata sami e fa’aleaga ai paipa frake. Fa’atasi ma le vevela mai tuliluli mauga, o le fa’aleleia atoa o le frake na ave ai ta’avale i le mafufuaga ki le Malae o Pago Pago.

A faia ai iinei: O faitaua matau mai A’oloau po’o auala mauga i Lauli na faia ai “brake fade” vave e sisi i nisi auala. O fale fa’ato’a fa’asoa e mafai ona leai ni nisi o vaega mo vaiaso, na faia ai le fa’aleleia o le fa’ato’a.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: 49 CFR § 393.48 e mana’omia ai puni frake feagai. Part 396 e mana’omia ai siaki ma fa’ato’a fa’asoa. O le fa’aleleia o le siama po’o le siaki le fa’aletonu.

5. Fa’afitauli Pali i Auala Gatasaga

O ta’avale ave i’a fa’atumu e fa’atavili i faituga maualalo i Matu’u po’o le mau’uga i Afono e pali ai fa’afitauli le fa’asoa o le uta.

A faia ai iinei: O le sausau vai i toto o tank trucks po’o uta e le fa’amautu e sui ai le ogatoto i auala fa’afetogi na faia mo ta’avale nofo itiiti.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: 49 CFR § 393.100-136 tulafono o fa’amautu e mana’omia ai uta e mafai ona tu i le 0.8g deceleration. A ta’avale talipau vave e fa’amalama ai i taimi o va’a, ua latou si’i ai fa’amautu saogalemu.

6. Fa’afitauli Fa’alata i Nofoaga

O ta’avale fa’alata e ulu ki totonu o vaega fa’asoa e fa’apipi’i ai ta’avale po’o tagata fe’alualu i auala faaiti o Fagatogo po’o Utulei.

A faia ai iinei: O auala o le tupuaga na faia mo ta’avale itiiti. A tapuni 53-fitu e taumafai e ulu ki totonu o dock o le talipau, ua latou fa’alata ai i auala fa’atasi, na faia ai fa’afitauli “squeeze play”.

7. Fale o Taya i le Vevela

O le vevela o le tau ma auala kolo i le malae na faia ai fa’aleleia o taya. “Road gators”—lepa o taya taya—na faia ai fa’afitauli lona lua mo ta’avale vaa moto ma scooter masani i Eastern District.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: 49 CFR § 393.75 e mana’omia ai le maualuga maualalo o luga o taya ma fa’afitauli o taya. O le fa’aogaina o taya na fa’aleleia i le vevela po’o maualuga sili i le vevela fa’aleleia fa’atonuga saogalemu.

8. Fa’afitauli Blind Spot i Alala Fa’apitoa

O le auala umi o Tutuila e aofia ai alala o le tino auala ma faiga faapoto lea e sosoo ai mauga ma le sami. O ta’avale e fa’atasi mai auala a le talipau e leai se vaa i le blind spot maualalo tele.

A faia ai iinei: O le “No-Zone” i le itu taumatau o se taavale e tu’u atu i le 30 fitu. I se auala e le toe sili i le 20 fitu i Coconut Point po’o alala i Vaitogi, e leai se nofoaga mo sesē.

9. Pa’uga o Uta i Tauaga o Auala

Aofaiga o i’a pe’a fa’afufi po’o tapuni sisila i le Auala 001, na faia ai fa’afitauli pa’u e fa’afitauli ai ta’avale i luga o auala e leai se tauaga.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: Part 393 tulafono o fa’amautu o uta e mafai ona fa’asoa i auala teritori. A load binders fa’aleleia po’o chain poto i auala malolosi, o le kamupani fa’atau ma le loader e aofia ai le toga.

10. Fa’afitauli Ulu i le Fog

O le fog o le taeao vave na ta’atele ai le malae ma auala mauga. O ta’avale e solia atu auala fa’atasi e fa’apaleina le fa’aleaga o le vaega po’o pasi e alu mai na faia ai fa’afitauli ulu e mafataga.

A faia ai iinei: O le fa’aitiitiga o le vaa fa’atasi ma auala fa’alata i American Samoa Community College po’o faituga maualalo i Tafuna e leai ni laei mo le fegalenu’u po’o le fa’aleleia o le mata.

11. Ta’avale Fe’aalualu i le Malae

O ta’avale fa’aogaina telefoni po’o mata’itupe Qualcomm a’o fa’atavili i le malae potupotu o Pago Pago na faia ai fa’afitauli T-bone i le feagai o Auala 001 ma auala a le malae.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: 49 CFR § 392.82 e tapua’i ai le fa’aogaina o telefoni na te’iina e ta’avale fa’asoa. O le tusitusiga a’o ta’avale se taavale e ala i le nofoaga autu o le afiemaega e fa’aleleia fa’atonuga a le malo.

12. Fe’aalualu mai le Fia Moega

O galuega talipau ma ta’avale e faia i “Taimi o Samoa” na tulusi ai ta’avale i taimi e sili atu. O ta’ititi moega i auala fa’atoto i Tafuna Airport na faia ai fa’afitauli fa’asoa.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: 49 CFR Part 395 Tulafono o Itula o Galuega e tapula’i ai le ta’avale i le 11 itula i le uma o le 10 itula leo. O le fa’aleleia o le 14-itula fa’amoega e faia ai le toga mo le ta’avale ma le carrier i lalo o § 392.3 (fa’aogaina a’o fa’aleleia mai le fia moega).

13. Fa’afitauli o Hazmat o Hydrocarbon Spill

O ta’avale suau’u ma hazmat tautua i fale afi po’o malae na fa’afitauli i auala mauga. A o pali i tala o puna vai po’o nisi, na faia ai fa’aleaga siiti fa’atasi ma mafataga o le tagata.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: Part 397 tulafono o vaila’au matagofie e mana’omia ai auala fa’apitoa, fa’aputu, ma fa’atavili. O faitaua fa’afitauli o le Eastern District e mana’omia ai fa’asoa fa’apitoa e le o faia e nisi tagata mai le mainland e le malamalama i topography o le Pasefika.

14. Fa’afitauli Override i Feagai

A fa’aleleia frake po’o fa’apau faaiti i le traffic light i Pago Pago, na fa’aleleia ai ta’avale itiiti, fa’aleleleia i lalo o le chassis.

A faia ai iinei: O le fa’aitiitiga o le vaa i feagai e fa’auma se vao po’o fale i Fagatogo Market na faia ai fa’ato’a fa’apitoa.

15. Fa’afitauli o Ta’avale Fa’aolaola

E leai se auala fa’apaleina, o ta’avale e fa’aleleia frake atoa i le tuliluli mai mauga i Aua e leai se filifiliga saogalemu e fa’ato’a. O nei ta’avale e aofia ai le maualuga tele o le fa’aleaga i le aofia ai so’oa ma isi ta’avale i tala o le malae.

Fa’aleleia o Tulafono: 49 CFR § 392.6 e mana’omia ai pulega o maualuga feagai ai ma maualuga o faituga. Part 396 e mana’omia ai siaki o frake a’o i luma o tuliluli maualalo.

Tagata Taitasi e Mafai ona Totogi ia Te’i le Eastern District

E ese mai fa’afitauli o ta’avale itiiti, o fa’afitauli o ta’avale 18-uila e aofia ai upega o fa’asoa fa’ale-koporasi. Matou su’esu’e tagata taitasi e mafai ona totogi e fa’ateleina lou toe mauina i lalo o tulafono o le Eastern District ma tulafono a le malo lautele.

1. Le Ta’avale Fa’aoso

O le fa’aleleia o le ta’avale e aofia ai le maualuga mo fa’afitauli i auala sela mauga, ta’avale fe’aalualu a’o fa’atavili i auala faaiti o nisi, po’o le fa’aogaina a’o fia moega i le uma o galuega umi i le talipau. Matou fa’atagaina lipoti o telefoni, fa’amaumauga ELD, ma oloa o siaki o le vaila’au (49 CFR Part 382).

2. Le Kamupani Ta’avale / Motor Carrier

I lalo o respondeat superior, o pulega e fa’asoa i toga mo le fa’aleleia o galuega. Fa’atasi, matou fa’ataunoese fa’afitauli fa’aleleia mo:

• Fa’amalosia Fa’aleleia: Le fa’aleleia o CDL aupito ma siaki lipoti ta’avale i pulega o le mainland.
• Fa’amalosia Fa’aleleia: Le toe fuafuaina mo faituga mauga o le Eastern District ma siama o le tau.
• Fa’amalosia o Fa’ato’a: Siaki frake na mana’omia i Part 396.

O kamupani pei o talipau po’o kovana sisila e tafea inisiua tele—masani $1 miliona ki $5 miliona i lalo o MCS-90 endorsements a le malo lautele.

3. Ona o Uta (O Talipau)

O StarKist Sāmoa ma isi processors e tulusi ai ta’avale e fa’avave ai deliveries e fa’ataunu’u i taimi o va’a refrigerated. A lea fa’atele e faia ai fa’aleleia o Itula o Galuega na faia ai fa’afitauli mai le fia moega, o le ona o uta e aofia ai le toga.

4. Kamupani Fa’afoa

O isi fa’afoa i talipau po’o vaega o tapuni e le fa’amautu uta na faia ai fa’afitauli o ta’avale pali. I lalo o 49 CFR § 393.100, fa’amautu fa’aleleia na faia ai pa’uga po’o uta sui na faia ai le kamupani fa’afoa le toga.

5. Faia Ta’avale

O puni frake fa’aleleia, mekanisi fa’atavili, po’o lafoga cruise e le fa’aleleia i siama o le tau na faia ai fa’afitauli o oloa ki faia pei o Freightliner po’o Peterbilt.

6. Faia Nisi Vaega

O taya fa’aleleia e fa’afaaleleia i le vevela, po’o frake pades e fa’aleleia vave i le ea masima, na fa’ataunoese ai fa’afitauli ki faia o nisi vaega.

7. Kovana Fa’ato’a

O fale fa’ato’a fa’asoa e faia ai fa’ato’a frake le lelei po’o fa’aogaina o nisi vaega counterfeit e manatu ai e feagai ma FMCSA. A o le fa’aleleia o fa’ato’a na faia ai le fa’aleleia i auala mauga, o nei fale e feagai ai le toga.

8. Fa’atau Brokers

O brokers e fa’atonu ai ave o mea tau a le malo po’o mea fesoasoani ki le Eastern District e filifili ai carriers i totonu o lipoti lelei o saogalemu (maua i le SAFER system o FMCSA) na faia ai le fa’amalosia fa’aleleia.

9. Ona o Ta’avale (A Ese mai Operators)

I fa’aso’otoga owner-operator masani i totonu o kovana talipau fa’atupu, o le ona o meafaigaluega e mafai ona totogi mo negligent entrustment pe afai e iloa i latou o le fa’aoso e leai ni to’oto’iga i auala mauga.

10. Tagata Fa’asoa a le Malo

O le Malo o Amerika Sāmoa (ASG) po’o pulega a le malo lautele e fa’asoa o le Auala 001 e mafai ona totogi mo:

• Le fa’aleleia o le fa’amalosia o guardrails i tua o mauga
• Le fa’asilisili fa’aiti mo faituga maualalo
• Fa’amalosia o auala na faia ai fa’aalalaga i maualuga tele
• Le fa’alata o le clearance o fa’aleaga o le fanua na faia ai fa’afitauli fa’apitoa

Fa’ailoga: O fa’afitauli ki le ASG e i ai fa’ailoga fa’apitoa i lalo o tulafono fa’asoa.

Fa’atonuga Fa’amaumauga 48-Iitula Fa’apitoa mo Faili Eastern District

Fa’amaumauga black box overwrite i le 30 aso—fa’afitauli vave i fa’afitauli fa’asoa o le siama. I le taimi e faia ai se fa’aleaga o ta’avale i le Eastern District, ua amata le uati e faaleaga ai lou fa’amaumauga.

Mea Matou Faasaoina I Le Taimi Lava

A o e vala’au i le 1-888-ATTY-911, matou lafo spoliation letters i le itiiti o itula ki:

Fa’amaumauga Electronika:

• ECM/Black Box: Fa’amaumauga Engine Control Module e fa’asilisili ai le maualuga, fa’amalosia o frake, ma le ituaiga o le throttle i le uma o le fa’afitauli.
• ELD Logs: Fa’amaumauga Electronic Logging Device e fa’amalosia ai fa’aleleia o Itula o Galuega (Part 395).
• GPS/Telematics: Fa’amaumauga o le nofoaga moni e fa’asilisili ai auala ese’esega po’o toaese fa’ale-tulafono.
• Dashcam Footage: Mata’itupe i luma ma ta’avale fa’aso’o—masani e fa’aleleia i le 7 aso pe afai e le faasaoina.

Lipoti o Fa’aoso:

• Driver Qualification File: O FMCSA e mana’omia ai files e aofia ai talosaga fa’atau, tiute o fa’amasino i le soifua maloloina (§ 391.41), ma oloa o siaki vaila’au.
• Lipoti Telefoni: Fa’amalosia ai fa’aleleia o ta’avale fe’aalualu o § 392.82.

Fa’ailoga o Ta’avale:

• Lipoti Fa’ato’a: Fa’ailoga o siaki frake na si’i po’o code e le io’e i lalo o Part 396.
• Lipoti Taya: Tausaga ma fa’aleleia o fa’amaumauga e fa’asilisili ai fa’aleleia o § 393.75.
• Taavale Faufau: Le taavale i ai tonu, a’o le’i faia ai fa’ato’a e fa’aleleia fa’ailoga o le fa’aleleia o meafaigaluega.

Tusi Fa’ale-Koporasi:

• Lipoti fa’atonu e fa’asilisili ai faigata e fa’aleleia taimi fa’atinoga
• Poloaiga o saogalemu (po’o le leai o iai)
• Lipoti o fa’afitauli muamua e fa’asilisili ai fa’ataulaga o le fa’aleleia

A Fa’aoga ai le Vave i Siama o le Tau

O le ea masima e fa’aleagia ai fesootaiga electronika. O timuga tele e fa’aleleia ai skid marks i auala kolo i aso. O tauvaga i nu’u fa’apotopoto e mafai ona le sao e fa’amaonia e tu’u fa’asoa i fa’atoa pulega e afai e le fa’afesili i le taimi lava e fa’amaonia ai e su’esu’e e malamalama i le fa’a Samoa.

E i ai matou feagai ma su’esu’e fa’asoa i le Eastern District e mafai ona aofia ai vaega o fa’afitauli vave, faasaoina fa’amaumauga a’o le’i mafatu sesē po’o loia fa’ale-koporasi e fa’aobscure ai le mea moni.

Mafataga Fa’aleaga: Malamalama i Lou Mana’o Fa’ateleina

O le physics o se taavale 80,000 pauna na te’iina se ta’avale nofo po’o motorcycle i auala faaiti o Tutuila na faia ai mafataga fa’aleaga e mana’omia ai fuafuaina fa’apitoa o le soifua maloloina o le siama ma mafaufau o le medevac ki Haiwai po’o le mainland.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

O fa’afitauli violent na faia ai le ulu ki le dashboard po’o pa maka na faia ai concussions, contusions, ma diffuse axonal injuries. O tagata TBI e masani ona mana’omia:

• Vakavaletapisi i le lea ki Tripler Army Medical Center i Haiwai
• Fuafuaina fa’ateleina o le cognition
• Po tali o le galuega i le maketi fa’atau faaiti o Amerika Sāmoa

O matou ofisa ua toe maua $5 miliona mo tagata TBI e aofia ai fa’afitauli fa’alauiloa—physics fa’afitauli ki fa’afitauli o ta’avale talipau.

Spinal Cord Injuries

O paraplegia ma quadriplegia e ala mai ai i fa’afitauli pali i totonu o vaega fa’apipi’i po’o fa’afitauli crushing. I le Eastern District, o le fa’afaigofie o le nofoaga o le fa’aitiitiga. O tagata mafataga e feagai ai ma:

• Fa’aleleia o fale mo le access o nofoafolau i fa’afitauli o le siama
• Mana’o o meafaigaluega mo le soifua mo le atoa o le olaga
• Gaoioiga fa’ataulaga mai $4.7 miliona ki $25.8 miliona e fa’atatau ai i maualuga o le mafataga

Amputations

O crush injuries mai fa’afitauli underride po’o fa’afitauli pali e masani ona mana’omia amputation fa’ataotoga. O siama o le tau e tu’u ai fa’afitauli fa’apitoa o le infection. Ua matou toe maua $1.9 miliona ki $8.6 miliona mo tagata amputa, fa’atatau ai ma prosthetics ma toe fuafuaina.

Wrongful Death

A o se aiga e leiloa ai se alofa i se fa’aleaga o ta’avale i le Eastern District, ua latou feagai ai ma le fa’asoesa ma siaki fa’asoa i se fa’asoa fa’atupu-plus. O moliaga e mafai ona toe mauina e aofia ai:

• Po tali o le lagolagoina o le aiga ma fa’aopoopo ki le aiga (extended family)
• Totogi o fa’aleleia fa’atasi ma aganu’u Samoa
• Po tali o tupe e maua ai i le lumana’i
• Fa’aleleia o le mafaufau

O matou toe mauina o le wrongful death e fa’ataulaga mai $1.9 miliona ki $9.5 miliona.

Inisiua i Fa’afitauli Ta’avale i le Eastern District

Totogi Maualalo o le Malo Lautele

I lalo o le Motor Carrier Act of 1980, o ta’avale fa’asoa e faia fuafuaina i Amerika Sāmoa (pei o se teritori o le U.S.) e tatau ona tafea:

• $750,000 maualalo mo uta fa’ale-aoao
• $1,000,000 mo le ave o suau’u ma meafaigaluega tele
• $5,000,000 mo mea mafataga ma tankers

Le MCS-90 Endorsement

O ta’avale fa’asoa e auai i fa’asoa aupito a auala e tatau ona tafea se MCS-90 endorsement (49 CFR § 387.303), lea e fa’amaonia ai totogi ki tagata mafataga e ui i le inisiua e le feoa’i le aofia e fa’atatau i fa’aleleia o faafofoga. E lenei mea fa’atega a’o fa’afitauli i le Eastern District e vaivaia ai faafofoga inisiua i faili.

Moliaga Punitive

A o kamupani ta’avale e iloa ai latou o ta’avale fa’aleleia i le auala po’o lipoti fa’pea e faia ai Itula o Galuega, o le fa’amasinoga o Pago Pago ma le Māloa Maualuga e mafai ona aofia ai moliaga punitive e fa’afa’asala ai galuega fa’ale-tele. E ese mai nisi setete, o tulafono o Amerika Sāmoa e le tapula’i ai moliaga punitive i fa’afitauli torts e aofia ai le gross negligence.

Fa’amatalaga: Mea e Fai e Aiga o le Eastern District

“E oe LE I se mea fa’afitauli ki latou ma E LE oe i se kilaiti so’o… E oe AIGA ki latou.”
— Chad Harris, kilaiti

“Na latou taua mo te’i e maua ai lou seleni e loto iai.”
— Glenda Walker, kilaiti

“Said se kamupani e le talia la’u fa’afitauli. Ona matou ia lea ua matou vala’au e mai Manginello… Ua matou vala’au e ki ai lenei seleni tele.”
— Donald Wilcox, kilaiti na le talia e isi ofisa

“Ua ou leiloa uma… 1 tausaga luma ane ua ou maua ai tele i le tofo.”
— Kiimarii Yup, kilaiti

Fesili Masani e Uiga i Fa’afitauli Ta’avale 18-Uila i le Eastern District

F: Afai umi e tatau ia te’i ki ai le fa’afitauli i Amerika Sāmoa Eastern District?
T: Masani, e i ai oe i le tausaga e lua mai le aso o le mafataga i lalo o le statute of limitations o Amerika Sāmoa, e ui leai ni fa’afitauli fa’apitoa o le liliu puupuu i tagata fa’asoa a le malo. O lea foi, e tatau ona te’i lava—o fa’amaumauga e fa’aleagia vave i fa’afitauli o le siama.

F: E mafai ona ou fa’afitauli pe afai ou te i totonu o le toga mo le fa’afitauli?
T: Ioe. O Amerika Sāmoa e mulimuli ai i aga’i o le toga fa’asese. O lou toe mauina e fa’aitiitia i lou pasene o le toga, ae e mafai foe ia te’i fa’amaumauga e afai e le iloaina ia te’i o le tofa pitoa.

F: A le mea pe afai o le taavale e ave uta mo fe’ausani a le malo po’o le kovana fa’ale-malo?
T: O ta’avale fa’ale-kovana o le malo e feagai pea ai ma tulafono o FMCSA. O lea, o le Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) e mafai ona fa’atagaina, na faia ai fa’atonuga fa’apitoa. O matou to’oto’iga i le faafofoga o le malo lautele (Ralph Manginello ua fa’amalosia ki le District of Texas i le Sasae) na fa’amalosinia ai matou mo nei fa’afitauli.

F: E mana’omia ia te’i se loia mai le mainland?
A: E ui o matou te’iina i Houston, Texas i ofisa i Austin ma Beaumont, matou faia faili Eastern District e fa’atasi ai ma loia fa’asoa fa’amalosia i le High Court of American Samoa, a’o le’a aumai le to’oto’iga fa’amasinoga ma meafaitauli o se ofisa tele. Matou malamalama i le fa’a Samoa ma le siama fa’apitoa o fa’amasinoga o le Pasefika.

F: A le mea pe afai o le kamupani ta’avale e te’iina i se atunu’u ese (e.g. kamupani vaa o Asia)?
T: O tele o va’a e tautua i Pago Pago o lo’o fa’asainina i fafo, ae o ta’avale e faia fuafuaina i le sologa o Amerika Sāmoa e tatau ona tu’u i tulafono o U.S. DOT pe afai e auai i fa’asoa aupito. Matou su’esu’e fa’ale-koporasi e maua ai tagata fa’asoa e tu’u i fa’afitauli.

F: E tu’u ai la’u fa’afitauli ki le fa’amasinoga i Pago Pago?
T: O le tele o fa’afitauli e settle, ae matou fuafua fa’afitauli taitasi pe afai e alu ki le fa’amasinoga i luma o le Māloa Maualuga. O lenei fuafuaina na fa’afaigofie ai kamupani inisiua e aofia ai gaoioiga feagai.

F: Aita se afe e fa’amalosia ai Attorney911 mo se fa’afitauli Eastern District?
T: Leai se mea i luma. Matou galue i le contingency—33.33% i le uma o le fa’amasinoga, 40% pe afai e mana’omia le fa’amasinoga. E leai se mea e te totogi pe afai e matou manuia. Matou advance nisi o tau mo su’esu’e ma tagata fa’apitoa.

F: E mafai ona e fesoasoani pe afai ou te se galuega talipau na mafatia e se taavale o le kamupani?
T: Fai lava. Matou faia fa’afitauli e aofia ai StarKist Sāmoa ma isi fa’ato’a fa’asoa, malamalama i le feagai ai o workers’ compensation ma toga fa’aiti.

F: A le mea pe afai o le ta’avale fa’aoso mai Sāmoa i Sisifo (Independent State of Sāmoa)?
T: O ta’avale fa’alauaitele na faia ai fa’afitauli fa’asoa o faafofoga, ae pe afai o le fa’afitauli i le Eastern District, o tulafono o Amerika Sāmoa e fa’atagaina. E mafai ona matou fa’ataunoese le carrier fa’asoa na fa’amalosia le fa’aoso.

F: Faapefea ona ou mauaina le fuafuaina fa’asoa pe afai e le mafai le Falema’i LBJ e pulea la’u mafataga?
T: Matou galue e maua ai fa’amalosia o medevac ma Letters of Protection i totonu o falema’i o Hawai’i e fa’amalosia ai e te’i lou fuafuaina e aunoa ma totogi i luma.

Lau Tula’i Mulimuli: Vala’au i Luma o le Fa’aleleia o Fa’amaumauga

O le kamupani ta’avale na lafoina oe ua le fa’aliligi ai lona inisiua. O lo’ latou loia ua le amata ai ona fuafua fa’afitauli fa’aiti lou claim fa’aogaina fa’aleleia fa’asoa ma fa’afitauli fa’asoa o faafofoga. E te’iina mana’omia ia te’i se gaoioiga faaiti e le aofia ai le tau o le olaga mo se mafataga fa’aleaga i le Pasefika.

O Ralph Manginello ua le amata ai le tau mo tagata mafataga mai le 1998. O matou ofisa ua toe maua sili atu i le $50 miliona, aofia ai gaoioiga miliona tele fa’atasi ai ma kamupani Fortune 500 pei o BP. O matou loia fa’aalāga Lupe Peña e iloa ai fa’ataulaga o kamupani inisiua mai totonu—na used ia i le’o le’i auai ki matou. O le taimi nei na fight ai mo oe.

Ai ofisa i Houston, Austin, ma Beaumont, e i ai matou meafaitauli e faia ai fa’afitauli fa’afitauli o le Eastern District, le siama fa’asoa e galue ai i totonu o fa’a Samoa, ma le to’oto’iga o le faafofoga fa’asoa e ala i fa’afitauli teritori.

A te’i lafoaia e le kamupani ta’avale. E le i le Eastern District. E le i so’o se mea.

Vala’au i le 1-888-ATTY-911 i le taimi nei mo se consultation fa’afua. Matou tali 24/7. E leai se mea e te totogi pe afai e matou manuia.

Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911. Hablamos Español ma le loia Lupe Peña.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm
Legal Emergency Lawyers™

Tautua i Eastern District, Amerika Sāmoa, ma tagata mafataga i atunu’uga atoa i totonu o ofisa i Houston, Austin, ma Beaumont, Texas.

ENGLISH

Eastern District 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys

When Port Trucks and Mountain Roads Collide, You Need a Fighter

The accident changed everything in an instant. One moment, you’re navigating the steep coastal roads of Eastern District near Pago Pago Harbor. The next, an 80,000-pound logging truck or tuna cannery transport loses its brakes on the descent from Mount Alava. In the narrow corridors of Tutuila Island where steep cliffs meet the Pacific, there’s nowhere to go. No shoulder. No escape route.

We know what you’re facing. Medical evacuation flights to Hawaii. Treatment at LBJ Tropical Medical Center. Questions about whether American Samoa’s High Court jurisdiction applies or if federal maritime laws control when the accident involves cannery trucks bound for the port. During 25 years fighting for injury victims, we’ve seen how trucking accidents in Pacific territories create unique legal puzzles—where territorial statutes blend with federal commercial regulations, and where local customs meet multi-national corporate defendants.

Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has spent over two decades holding trucking companies accountable from Houston to Pacific territories, securing multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working inside insurance companies before joining our team—now he uses that insider knowledge against them.

If you or someone you love was injured by a commercial truck in Eastern District, call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. Evidence disappears fast in tropical climates, and shipping companies move quickly to protect themselves.

Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña provides direct Spanish-language representation.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Eastern District Are Different

The Geography of Danger

Eastern District isn’t like trucking corridors in Texas or Arizona. Here on Tutuila Island, the roads cling to volcanic cliffs. The main highway—a narrow, winding ribbon of asphalt connecting Pago Pago to Tafuna—was never designed for the heavy commercial traffic that now serves the tuna canneries and shipping terminals.

Mountain Grade Hazards: The roads climbing toward Aua or cutting through the center of the island feature grades exceeding 8%. For fully loaded trucks hauling iced tuna from the canneries or containers from the port, these descents create brutal wear on brake systems. When brakes fail on a steep grade in Eastern District, there’s often no runaway truck ramp like you’d find on Interstate 10. There’s just jungle, cliff, or ocean.

Tropical Weather Conditions: Unlike temperate zones, Eastern District deals with year-round rainfall averaging 200+ inches in some areas. Sudden tropical depressions create flash flooding on Route 001 and 005. Slick roads combined with heavy port traffic create prime conditions for jackknife accidents when trucks navigate the blind curves near Coconut Point or Fagatogo.

Port Congestion: Pago Pago Harbor hosts some of the deepest-draft berths in the South Pacific. Trucks serving the Starkist cannery or moving military cargo undergo tight schedules. When drivers rush to meet vessel departure times, they violate the very safety protocols designed to prevent tragedy on these narrow roads.

Federal Territory, Local Courts

American Samoa operates under a unique legal framework. The High Court of American Samoa governs personal injury cases, yet commercial trucking often involves interstate commerce regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This jurisdictional complexity means your case might involve:

• Application of 49 CFR Parts 390-396 (federal trucking regulations)
• American Samoa’s comparative negligence rules under local tort law
• Potential maritime jurisdiction if the truck was engaged in port operations
• International shipping considerations when foreign-flagged vessels are involved

Our team understands these intersections. Ralph Manginello’s federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas—combined with our firm’s experience handling maritime and territorial claims—gives us the versatility to navigate Eastern District’s legal landscape.

The Human Cost in a Small Territory

In a close-knit territory of fewer than 50,000 people, a catastrophic trucking accident ripples through the entire community. When a family’s breadwinner is injured in a brake-failure crash near the cannery, the impact extends beyond medical bills. It affects church commitments, extended aiga obligations, and the delicate economic balance of island life.

We’ve recovered over $50 million for injured clients across our practice areas, including $5 million for a traumatic brain injury victim and $3.8 million for an amputation client. While every Eastern District case is unique, we bring that same level of dedication to Pacific families who deserve justice.

The 15 Types of Eastern District Truck Accidents We Handle

1. Jackknife Accidents on Mountain Grades

Jackknifes occur when the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, often blocking both lanes of traffic. In Eastern District’s narrow coastal roads, these accidents are catastrophic.

Why They Happen Here: Downgrades from Mount Alava toward Pago Pago create momentum that inexperienced drivers can’t control. When drivers lock their brakes on wet pavement near Malaeimi or Tafuna, the trailer swings out over the cliff edge or into oncoming traffic.

The Regulation Violation: Under 49 CFR § 392.6, drivers must operate at speeds safe for conditions. FMCSA regulations require brakes capable of controlling descents. When drivers exceed safe speeds down steep grades to make port deadlines, they violate federal safety standards.

Typical Injuries: Head-on trauma from the swinging trailer, rollovers into ravines, catastrophic fractures.

2. Underride Collisions at Port Gates

When smaller vehicles strike the rear or side of a trailer and slide underneath, decapitation and severe head trauma result. Eastern District’s aging port infrastructure lacks modern underride guards on many access roads.

Why They Happen Here: Sudden stops at the Pago Pago Harbor security checkpoints catch distracted drivers off guard. Low-sitting sedans—common in American Samoa—slide under trailers that lack proper rear impact guards per 49 CFR § 393.86.

The Regulation Violation: Part 393 requires rear impact guards on trailers manufactured after 1998, yet many older trucks serving the canneries predate these requirements or have modified inadequate guards.

3. Rear-End Collisions on Route 001

The primary coastal highway features limited passing zones and abrupt stops for village crossings. Cannery trucks following too closely create devastating rear-end impacts.

Why They Happen Here: At 65 mph on wet roads near Nu’uuli, a loaded truck needs over 500 feet to stop. When drivers follow too closely (49 CFR § 392.11 violates the “reasonable and prudent” following distance rule), they crush smaller vehicles against the next queue of port traffic.

4. Brake Failure on Descents

Tropical humidity and salt air corrode brake lines. Combined with overheating from mountain descents, complete brake failure sends trucks hurtling toward Pago Pago Harbor.

Why They Happen Here: The steep grades from A’oloau or the mountain roads above Lauli create “brake fade” faster than flatland routes. Local maintenance shops sometimes lack parts for weeks, leading to deferred repairs.

The Regulation Violation: 49 CFR § 393.48 mandates properly functioning brake systems. Part 396 requires systematic inspection and maintenance. Ignoring corrosion or skipping pre-trip inspections constitutes negligence.

5. Rollover Accidents in Switchbacks

Top-heavy tuna hauling trucks negotiating hairpin turns above Matu’u or the steep climb toward Afono often roll when cargo shifts.

Why They Happen Here: Liquid surge in tank trucks or unsecured pallet loads shift the center of gravity on banked curves designed for lighter passenger vehicles.

The Regulation Violation: 49 CFR § 393.100-136 cargo securement rules require loads to withstand 0.8g deceleration forces. When cannery trucks rush to meet ship schedules, they sometimes skip proper securing.

6. Wide Turn Accidents in Villages

Trucks swinging wide to enter the industrial areas near tuna plants often crush vehicles or pedestrians in the tight confines of Fagatogo or Utulei.

Why They Happen Here: Colonial-era streets were designed for smaller vehicles. When 53-foot containers try to access cannery loading docks, they sweep across opposing lanes, creating “squeeze play” accidents.

7. Tire Blowouts in Heat

Tropical heat and rough coral roads near the airport cause tire failures. “Road gators”—shreds of tire rubber—create secondary accidents for motorcyclists and scooters common in Eastern District.

The Regulation Violation: 49 CFR § 393.75 mandates minimum tread depths and tire conditions. Operating with heat-damaged tires or exceeding speed ratings on hot pavement violates safety standards.

8. Blind Spot Collisions on Narrow Bridges

Tutuila’s coastal road features one-lane bridges and pinch points where cliffs meet the sea. Trucks merging from cannery access roads can’t see scooters in their extensive right-side blind spots.

Why They Happen Here: The “No-Zone” on a truck’s right side extends 30 feet. On a road barely 20 feet wide near Coconut Point or the bridges near Vaitogi, there’s no room for error.

9. Cargo Spills on Highway Shoulders

When improperly secured frozen tuna or shipping containers spill onto Route 001, they create chain-reaction pile-ups as drivers swerve to avoid debris on narrow roads with no shoulders.

The Regulation Violation: Part 393 cargo securement applies to territorial highways. When load binders fail or chains break on corrugated roads, the shipping company and loader share liability.

10. Head-On Collisions in Fog

Early morning marine layer fog blankets the harbor and mountain roads. Trucks crossing center lines to avoid landslide debris or oncoming buses create fatal head-on impacts.

Why They Happen Here: Reduced visibility combined with tight curves near American Samoa Community College or the steep grades above Tafuna leaves no margin for driver fatigue or distraction.

11. Distracted Driving at the Port

Drivers using cell phones or Qualcomm systems while negotiating the congested Pago Pago Harbor area cause T-bone accidents at the junction of Route 001 and the port access roads.

The Regulation Violation: 49 CFR § 392.82 prohibits hand-held mobile phone use by commercial drivers. Texting while driving a rig through the main business district violates federal mandates.

12. Fatigue-Related Drift-Off

Cannery workers and truckers operate on “Samoa Time” schedules that sometimes push drivers beyond reasonable hours. Micro-sleep episodes on straight stretches near Tafuna Airport lead to drift-off crashes.

The Regulation Violation: 49 CFR Part 395 Hours of Service regulations limit driving to 11 hours after 10 hours off duty. Violating the 14-hour duty window creates liability for both driver and carrier under § 392.3 (operating while impaired by fatigue).

13. Hydrocarbon Spill Hazmat Incidents

Fuel trucks and hazmat carriers serving the power plants or airports face unique risks on steep grades. When tankers overturn near water sources or villages, they create environmental disasters alongside personal injury.

The Regulation Violation: Part 397 hazardous materials regulations require specific routing, parking, and driving techniques. Eastern District’s challenging terrain requires extra precautions not always taken by mainland drivers unfamiliar with Pacific topography.

14. Override Accidents at Intersections

When brakes fail or following distances close too quickly near the traffic light in Pago Pago town, trucks override smaller vehicles, crushing them beneath the chassis.

Why They Happen Here: Limited sight distances approaching intersections concealed by vegetation or buildings near Fagatogo Market create sudden-stop scenarios.

15. Runaway Truck Incidents

Without runaway ramps, trucks experiencing total brake failure on the descent from the mountains above Aua have no safe stopping option. These trucks reach terminal velocity before impacting structures or other vehicles near the harbor.

The Regulation Violation: 49 CFR § 392.6 requires speed control appropriate for grade severity. Part 396 mandates brake inspection before descending steep grades.

Every Party Who Might Owe You Money in Eastern District

Unlike simple car accidents, 18-wheeler crashes involve a web of corporate relationships. We investigate every potentially liable party to maximize your recovery under Eastern District law and applicable federal statutes.

1. The Truck Driver

Driver negligence includes speeding for conditions on wet mountain roads, distracted driving while navigating tight village streets, or operating while fatigued after long shifts at the cannery. We subpoena cell phone records, ELD data, and drug test results (49 CFR Part 382).

2. The Trucking Company / Motor Carrier

Under respondeat superior, employers are vicariously liable for employees’ negligence. Additionally, we pursue direct negligence claims for:

• Negligent Hiring: Failing to verify CDL authenticity or check driving records with mainland authorities.
• Negligent Training: Inadequate preparation for Eastern District’s steep grades and tropical weather.
• Negligent Maintenance: Skipping brake inspections required by Part 396.

Companies like the tuna canneries or shipping contractors carry substantial insurance—often $1 million to $5 million under federal MCS-90 endorsements.

3. Cargo Owners (The Canneries)

Starkist Samoa and other processors sometimes pressure drivers to rush deliveries to meet refrigerated vessel schedules. When this pressure causes Hours of Service violations leading to fatigue accidents, the cargo owner shares liability.

4. Loading Companies

Third-party loaders at the canneries or container yards who improperly balance loads create rollover hazards. Under 49 CFR § 393.100, improper securement that causes spills or shifting loads makes the loading company liable.

5. Truck Manufacturers

Defective brake systems, steering mechanisms, or cruise control units that malfunction in tropical humidity create product liability claims against manufacturers like Freightliner or Peterbilt.

6. Parts Manufacturers

Defective tires prone to blowouts in heat, or substandard brake pads that degrade faster in salt air, support claims against component makers.

7. Maintenance Contractors

Local garages performing inadequate brake repairs or using counterfeit parts assumed to meet FMCSA standards. When deferred maintenance causes failure on the mountain grades, these shops face liability.

8. Freight Brokers

Brokers arranging transport of military cargo or relief supplies to Eastern District who select carriers with poor safety records (visible on FMCSA’s SAFER system) commit negligent hiring.

9. Truck Owners (If Different from Operators)

In owner-operator arrangements common among independent cannery haulers, the equipment owner may be liable for negligent entrustment if they knew the driver lacked experience with mountain driving.

10. Government Entities

The American Samoa Government (ASG) or federal authorities maintaining Route 001 may be liable for:

• Failure to install guardrails on cliff sections
• Inadequate warning signage for steep grades
• Road designs that encourage excessive speed
• Delayed landslide clearance creating sudden hazards

Note: Claims against the ASG have specific notice requirements under local law.

The Critical 48-Hour Evidence Protocol for Eastern District Cases

Black box data overwrites in 30 days—sometimes sooner in high-use tropical environments. The moment a truck crash occurs in Eastern District, the clock starts destroying your evidence.

What We Preserve Immediately

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we send spoliation letters within hours to:

Electronic Data:

• ECM/Black Box: Engine Control Module data showing speed, brake application, and throttle position before impact.
• ELD Logs: Electronic Logging Device records proving Hours of Service violations (Part 395).
• GPS/Telematics: Real-time location data showing route deviations or unauthorized stops.
• Dashcam Footage: Forward and driver-facing cameras—often deleted within 7 days unless preserved.

Driver Records:

• Driver Qualification File: FMCSA requires files containing employment applications, medical examiner certificates (§ 391.41), and drug test results.
• Cell Phone Records: Proving distracted driving violations of § 392.82.

Vehicle Evidence:

• Maintenance Records: Proof of skipped brake inspections or ignored fault codes under Part 396.
• Tire Records: Age and wear data showing violations of § 393.75.
• Physical Truck: The vehicle itself, before repairs eliminate evidence of mechanical failure.

Corporate Documents:

• Dispatch records showing pressure to violate delivery schedules
• Safety management policies (or lack thereof)
• Previous accident history showing pattern of negligence

Why Speed Matters in Tropical Climates

Salt air corrodes electronic connectors. Heavy rainfall washes away skid marks on coral roads within days. Witnesses in close-knit villages may be reluctant to testify against local employers unless interviewed immediately by investigators who understand fa’a Samoa (Samoan culture).

We have relationships with local investigators in Eastern District who can reach accident scenes quickly, preserving evidence before tropical storms or corporate lawyers obscure the truth.

Catastrophic Injuries: Understanding Your Long-Term Needs

The physics of an 80,000-pound truck hitting a passenger vehicle or motorcycle on Tutuila’s narrow roads creates devastating injuries requiring specialized tropical medical care and potential medevac to Hawaii or the mainland.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Violent impacts causing heads to strike dashboards or concrete barriers result in concussions, contusions, and diffuse axonal injuries. TBI victims often require:

• Air ambulance transport to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii
• Long-term cognitive rehabilitation
• Lost earning capacity in American Samoa’s limited job market

Our firm has secured $5 million settlements for TBI victims involving logging accidents—similar physics to cannery truck crashes.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Paraplegia and quadriplegia result from rollovers down embankments or crushing impacts. In Eastern District, accessibility accommodations are limited. Victims face:

• Home modifications for wheelchair access in tropical environments
• Lifetime medical equipment needs
• Settlement ranges from $4.7 million to $25.8 million depending on injury level

Amputations

Crush injuries from underride accidents or rollovers often require surgical amputation. Tropical climates pose unique infection risks. We have recovered $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation clients, accounting for prosthetics and rehabilitation.

Wrongful Death

When a family loses a loved one to a trucking accident in Eastern District, they face not only emotional devastation but economic disruption in a subsistence-plus economy. Recoverable damages include:

• Loss of family support and contributions to the aiga (extended family)
• Funeral expenses in accordance with Samoan custom
• Lost future earnings
• Mental anguish

Our wrongful death recoveries range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.

Insurance Coverage in Eastern District Trucking Cases

Federal Minimums Apply

Under the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, commercial trucks operating in American Samoa (as a U.S. territory) must carry:

• $750,000 minimum for general freight
• $1,000,000 for oil transport and large equipment
• $5,000,000 for hazardous materials and tankers

The MCS-90 Endorsement

Commercial vehicles engaged in interstate commerce must carry an MCS-90 endorsement (49 CFR § 387.303), which guarantees payment to injured parties even if the insurer denies coverage based on policy exclusions. This is critical when mainland insurers dispute jurisdiction in Eastern District cases.

Punitive Damages

When trucking companies knowingly put defective vehicles on the road or falsify logbooks to hide Hours of Service violations, Pago Pago juries and the High Court may award punitive damages to punish egregious conduct. Unlike some states, American Samoa law does not cap punitive damages in tort cases involving gross negligence.

Testimonials: What Eastern District Families Say

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
— Chad Harris, client

“They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
— Glenda Walker, client

“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.”
— Donald Wilcox, client who was rejected by other firms

“I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return.”
— Kiimarii Yup, client

Frequently Asked Questions About Eastern District 18-Wheeler Accidents

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit in American Samoa’s Eastern District?
A: Generally, you have two years from the date of injury under American Samoa’s statute of limitations, though certain claims against government entities may have shorter notice periods. However, you should never wait—evidence deteriorates rapidly in tropical environments.

Q: Can I sue if I was partially at fault for the accident?
A: Yes. American Samoa follows comparative fault principles. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages unless you are found primarily responsible.

Q: What if the truck was hauling cargo for a military or federal contract?
A: Federal contractor trucks are still subject to FMCSA regulations. However, the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) may apply, creating specific procedural requirements. Our federal court experience (Ralph Manginello is admitted to the Southern District of Texas) prepares us for these complexities.

Q: Do I need to hire a lawyer from the mainland?
A: While we are based in Houston, Texas with offices in Austin and Beaumont, we handle Eastern District cases by partnering with local counsel admitted to practice before the High Court of American Samoa, while providing the trial expertise and resources of a major firm. We understand fa’a Samoa and the unique cultural context of Pacific litigation.

Q: What if the trucking company is based in another country (e.g., Asian fishing companies)?
A: Many vessels serving Pago Pago are foreign-flagged, but trucks operating on American Samoa soil must comply with U.S. DOT regulations if engaged in interstate commerce. We investigate corporate structures to find domestic entities subject to suit.

Q: Will my case have to go to trial in Pago Pago?
A: Most cases settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial before the High Court. This preparation forces insurance companies to offer fair settlements.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney911 for an Eastern District case?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—33.33% pre-trial, 40% if trial is necessary. You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs for investigators and experts.

Q: Can you help if I’m a cannery worker injured by a company truck?
A: Absolutely. We handle cases involving Starkist Samoa and other local employers, understanding the interplay between workers’ compensation and third-party liability.

Q: What if the truck driver was from Western Samoa (Independent State of Samoa)?
A: Cross-border drivers create jurisdictional complexity, but if the accident occurred in Eastern District, American Samoa law applies. We can pursue the domestic carrier that employed the driver.

Q: How do I get medical treatment if LBJ Medical Center can’t handle my injuries?
A: We work to secure medevac authorization and Letters of Protection with Hawai’i-based medical providers to ensure you get treatment without upfront costs.

Your Next Step: Call Before Evidence Disappears

The trucking company that hit you has already notified their insurer. Their lawyers are already strategizing how to minimize your claim using cultural barriers and territorial jurisdictional confusion. They are hoping you will accept a low settlement that doesn’t account for the true cost of living with a catastrophic injury in the Pacific.

Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. Our firm has recovered over $50 million, including multi-million dollar verdicts against Fortune 500 companies like BP. Our associate Lupe Peña knows insurance company tactics from the inside—he used to defend them. Now he fights for you.

With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we have the resources to handle complex Eastern District litigation, the cultural sensitivity to work within fa’a Samoa, and the federal court experience to navigate territorial law.

Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Not in Eastern District. Not anywhere.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for a free consultation. We answer 24/7. You pay nothing unless we win.

Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911. Hablamos Español con el abogado Lupe Peña.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm
Legal Emergency Lawyers™

Serving Eastern District, American Samoa, and injury victims nationwide with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas.