Evant Truck Accident Lawyer: Fighting for the Rights of the Injured
The intersection of US-84 and US-281 in the heart of Evant serves as a critical crossroads for Central Texas. While our town remains a close-knit community defined by ranching heritage and local values, our roads have become high-volume transit corridors for massive commercial vehicles. Every day, 80,000-pound 18-wheelers, heavily loaded oilfield water trucks, and pressurized delivery vans barrel through Evant. When these steel giants collide with a passenger vehicle on US-281 or US-84, the results aren’t just accidents—they are life-altering catastrophes.
At Attorney911, we understand that a truck accident in Evant isn’t just a legal case; it’s a family emergency. Since 1998, our founding partner Ralph Manginello has stood as a shield for those crushed by the negligence of massive trucking corporations. With over 25 years of courtroom experience and admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Ralph brings federal-level litigation power to every client in Coryell County. We don’t just “handle” cases; we prepare every single one as if it is headed for a jury trial. This aggressive stance is why we have recovered over $50 million for Texas families, including multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries and life-changing amputations.
When you call us at 1-888-ATTY-911, you aren’t getting a generic legal service. You are getting a team that includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who brings a “traitor’s edge” to your fight. Lupe spent years working as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows their playbook, he knows how they value claims, and he knows exactly how they try to trick Evant families into accepting lowball offers. We use that insider knowledge to deconstruct their defenses before they even build them. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.
The Crossroads of Danger: Why Evant Sees Catastrophic Truck Wrecks
Our position in Central Texas makes Evant a primary route for logistics and industrial transit. Trucks moving freight between Waco and San Angelo via US-84, or moving north-south from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex toward the Hill Country via US-281, are a constant presence. These roads weren’t always designed for the sheer volume of “just-in-time” delivery traffic and heavy oilfield equipment we see today.
The impact of an 18-wheeler is unlike any other collision. A standard car weighs about 4,000 pounds, whereas a fully loaded semi-truck can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Physics tells us that force equals mass times acceleration—in a collision, that means the truck brings 20 times the force of your vehicle. Whether it happens at the main stoplight in town or on the open stretches of US-84, the kinetic energy involved in a truck wreck is enough to shear through steel and change your life in a fraction of a second.
If you have been hurt, don’t wait for the trucking company to do the right thing. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat our Evant clients like neighbors because in Central Texas, that’s exactly what y’all are. Call us today at (888) 288-9911 for the aggressive representation you deserve.
The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Rule in Evant Claims
The clock starts ticking the moment a truck hits you on an Evant roadway. While you are being transported to the nearest trauma center—likely the Level 1 facilities in Temple or Waco—the trucking company already has a “Rapid Response Team” on its way to the scene. Their job isn’t to help you; it’s to find ways to blame you and hide evidence.
At Attorney911, we move just as fast. We send formal “spoliation letters” within 24 to 48 hours to ensure that critical evidence isn’t “accidentally” destroyed. In the world of modern trucking, data is the most powerful witness. We demand the preservation of:
- ECM (Black Box) Data: This records the truck’s speed, RPM, and exactly when the driver hit the brakes—or if they hit them at all. This data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days if a lawyer doesn’t intervene.
- ELD (Electronic Logging Device) Records: Federal law (49 CFR Part 395) requires these devices to track driving hours. We look for “logbook leaners” who drive beyond their 11-hour limit, creating a fatigue hazard for everyone in Evant.
- Driver Qualification Files: Under 49 CFR Part 391, companies must vet their drivers. We dig into their history to see if they hired someone with a history of DUIs or safety violations.
- Dashcam and AI Camera Footage: Many fleets now use Netradyne or Lytx systems. These often record the seconds before a crash. Without a prompt legal demand, this footage is often deleted on a rolling cycle.
Evidence in Evant truck accidents is fragile. Rain on US-84 can wash away skid marks, and the summer heat can degrade physical debris. We act immediately to lock down the facts. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before the evidence disappears forever.
Deep-Dive into Evant Truck Accident Types
Every commercial vehicle on our roads creates a different set of risks. We have handled cases involving every type of truck that rolls through Coryell County.
Oilfield Vehicle Wrecks (Water Trucks and Sand Haulers)
Evant serves as a transit pipe for the oil and gas industry. We see a constant stream of massive saltwater disposal tankers and frac sand haulers. These drivers often work grueling 12-to-14-hour shifts and are paid by the “turn” or the load, creating a dangerous incentive to speed and cut corners. A fully loaded water truck is one of the most unstable vehicles on the road because the “slosh effect” of the liquid cargo can cause a rollover during a simple lane change or turn. We hold the oilfield operators and their contractors accountable when their pursuit of profit leads to a crash on our local roads.
Corporate Fleet Accidents (Walmart and Amazon)
Whether it’s a Walmart 18-wheeler delivering to regional centers or an Amazon van rushing through our residential areas, corporate fleets have a “delivery at all costs” mentality. Amazon uses a complex “Delivery Service Partner” model to try and distance themselves from liability, claiming the drivers are “independent contractors.” We know how to pierce that shield. If Amazon controls the route, the uniform, and the timing via their algorithm, we argue they are the employer. We have gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations, including BP during the Texas City litigation, and we are not intimidated by their armies of lawyers.
Rear-End and Underride Collisions
Because a loaded semi-truck traveling at 65 mph needs the length of two football fields (525 feet) to stop, rear-end collisions are common when traffic slows for the Evant city limits. These often result in “underride” crashes, where a car slides beneath the trailer. These are almost always fatal or result in decapitation and severe traumatic brain injuries. We investigate whether the truck was equipped with working Mansfield bars (rear guards) and if the reflective tape complied with 49 CFR § 393.11.
Wide Turns and Blind Spot (No-Zone) Wrecks
Drivers of commercial trucks have massive blind spots in front, behind, and on both sides. On the tight turns of local Evant streets, “squeeze play” accidents happen when a truck swings wide to the left to make a right turn, crushing a smaller vehicle against the curb. We prove negligence by showing the driver failed to check their mirrors or signaled improperly.
Proving Negligence: Federal Regulations and Liable Parties
Most firms only look at the driver’s mistake. We look at the entire system failure. In an Evant trucking case, we may pursue as many as 16 different liable parties to maximize your insurance recovery. This includes:
- The Driver: For direct negligence like speeding or distraction.
- The Trucking Company: For negligent hiring or HOS violations under 49 CFR Part 395.
- The Cargo Loader: For unbalanced loads that caused a rollover.
- The Maintenance Provider: For brake failures (responsible for 29% of crashes) or tire blowouts.
- The Freight Broker: For hiring a “bottom-feeder” carrier with a history of safety violations.
- The Corporate Brand Owner: Holding the giant whose name is on the side of the truck responsible.
We cite the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) as our primary weapon. When a company violates 49 CFR Part 396 by skipping a brake inspection, they aren’t just being lazy—they are breaking federal law. That’s proof of negligence that a Coryell County jury understands.
The True Cost of Catastrophic Injuries
Truck accidents in Evant don’t result in “fender benders.” They result in catastrophic, life-long trauma. We work with medical experts and life-care planners to ensure your settlement covers the next 40 years, not just the next four weeks.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): $1.5M to $9.8M range. A TBI changes your personality, your ability to work, and your memory. We have recovered millions for victims who need cognitive rehabilitation for life.
- Spinal Cord Injury for Paralysis: $4.7M to $25.8M range. These cases require home modifications, around-the-clock care, and specialized mobility equipment.
- Amputation Care: $1.9M to $8.6M range. Beyond the initial surgery, you need lifetime prosthetic replacement and physical therapy. We ensure the trucking company pays for every single “phantom pain” treatment and replacement limb you’ll ever need.
- Wrongful Death: $1.9M to $9.5M range. If a loved one was killed on an Evant highway, we fight for the loss of companionship, loss of future income, and the mental anguish your family is suffering.
As client Donald Wilcox said, “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.” We don’t back down from the tough cases because we know how much is on the line for you.
Understanding Texas Trucking Laws for Evant Victims
Under Texas law (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code), you have exactly two years from the date of the crash to file your lawsuit. This is called the Statute of Limitations. If you miss this deadline, your right to recovery is gone forever.
Additionally, Texas follows a “Modified Comparative Negligence” rule (the 51% bar). This means that as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the crash, you can still recover damages. However, your payout will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are awarded $1,000,000 but the jury finds you 10% at fault, you receive $900,000. Trucking companies will fight like hell to put 51% of the blame on you so they can pay zero. That is why having a team with an insurance defense background—like Lupe Peña—is vital. We shut down their victim-blaming tactics with hard data.
Fighting for Evant’s Hardworking Families
At Attorney911, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing up front. Zero. We advance all the costs of hiring accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and investigators. If we don’t win your case, we don’t get paid a dime in attorney’s fees.
Whether you were hit by an 18-wheeler, a dump truck, a concrete mixer, or an Amazon van, your fight starts here. Don’t let a corporate adjuster decide the value of your future. Let a warrior who has been in the trenches for over 25 years take the lead.
Your recovery, your justice, and your peace of mind are our only priorities. Just look at the results we’ve achieved for others: $5 million for a brain injury, $3.8 million for an amputation, and $2.5 million for a truck crash. We are ready to do the same for you.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. We are available 24/7 to answer your call and begin the fight for your family.
Evant Truck Accident FAQ
1. How long do I have to file a claim in Evant?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. For some government-owned vehicles (like municipality-owned dump trucks), you may have as little as six months to file a formal notice of claim. Don’t wait—call us immediately.
2. Who pays my medical bills after a truck crash?
Ultimately, the trucking company’s insurance (which averages policies between $750,000 and $5 million) should pay. However, they won’t pay until the final settlement. We can often help you coordinate care with doctors who work on a “letter of protection,” meaning they wait to get paid until your case settles.
3. What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
This is a standard defense for companies like Amazon or FedEx Ground. We pierce this by looking at how much “control” the parent company had over the driver’s schedule, equipment, and training. If they controlled the driver, they are responsible for the driver’s mistakes.
4. Is it normal to have a headache after a truck accident?
Yes, but it can be a sign of a serious brain injury (TBI). Adrenaline can hide symptoms for days. You should always seek emergency care at a trauma center like the ones serving the Evant area to rule out internal bleeding or neuro-trauma.
5. How much is my truck accident case worth?
There is no “calculator,” but cases involving commercial vehicles are significantly more valuable than car accidents because the insurance limits are higher and the injuries are usually more severe. We evaluate your lost wages, medical bills, future care needs, and your “hedonic damages”—the loss of your enjoyment of life.
6. I was hit by a truck while riding a motorcycle on US-281. Can I still sue?
Absolutely. Motorcyclists are “vulnerable road users.” Because you have no steel cage around you, an encounter with a truck is usually catastrophic. Truckers have a heightened duty to check their “No-Zones” (blind spots). If they failed to see you, they are likely liable for 100% of your damages.
7. Can I sue a trucking company if the driver was on drugs or alcohol?
Yes. This falls under 49 CFR Part 382. Trucking companies must perform random drug tests on at least 50% of their driver pool. If they failed to test or ignored a “red flag” on a pre-employment screen, we may be able to pursue punitive damages to punish the company for their reckless behavior.
8. What if a U-Haul or rental truck hit me in Evant?
Rental truck cases are unique because the drivers are often untrained civilians. While the “Graves Amendment” often protects the rental company from the renter’s mistakes, the rental company can still be sued for negligent maintenance (bad brakes/tires) or negligent entrustment (renting to someone clearly unfit to drive).
9. My spouse died in an accident on US-84. Who can file the lawsuit?
Under Texas law, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased can file a wrongful death action. We handle these cases with the utmost compassion and a relentless focus on securing your family’s financial future.
10. Do I have to go to Houston or Austin to meet my lawyer?
No. While we have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we regularly meet with clients in the local Evant and Coryell County area. We can conduct your initial consultation over the phone or via Zoom, and we will come to you if your injuries prevent you from traveling.
11. Why shouldn’t I settle with the insurance company right now?
Because the first offer is always a lowball. They want you to sign a release before you know if you need surgery or if your TBI symptoms will be permanent. Once you sign that paper, you can never go back for more money. Let us evaluate the “hidden damages”—the future medical costs the insurance company is hoping you’ll forget.
12. I spent weeks in the ICU after a crash with a dump truck. How do you calculate my pain and suffering?
We use your daily pain logs, the testimony of your family, and medical expert data. Pain and suffering isn’t just a number; it’s the 3:00 AM aches, the inability to pick up your kids, and the psychological trauma of the crash. We tell your story so a jury understands the true human cost.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Consultation is free. The trucking company is already building their case—let us start building yours.
