18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Fayette County, Texas | Attorney911

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Fayette County, Texas, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. At Attorney911, our team of Fayette County trucking accident attorneys has over 25 years of experience fighting for victims of catastrophic truck crashes.

We understand the devastating impact these accidents have on families—traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and wrongful death are all too common when an 80,000-pound truck collides with a passenger vehicle. That’s why we act fast to preserve critical evidence, hold negligent trucking companies accountable, and fight for maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Why Fayette County Trucking Accidents Are Different

Fayette County’s highways—including I-10, US-77, and SH-71—are major trucking corridors, with heavy commercial traffic moving through La Grange, Schulenburg, Flatonia, and Fayetteville. The combination of high-speed interstate travel, rural two-lane roads, and sudden weather changes (like fog, rain, and even winter ice) makes this region particularly dangerous for truck crashes.

Unlike car accidents, 18-wheeler crashes involve complex federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and massive insurance policies—meaning your case requires an attorney who specializes in commercial trucking litigation.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Fayette County

Trucking companies and drivers often cut corners to meet tight deadlines, leading to preventable crashes. Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents in Fayette County include:

• Driver Fatigue (Hours of Service Violations) – Federal law limits truck drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, but many drivers (and their employers) ignore these rules to meet delivery schedules.
• Distracted Driving – Truck drivers using cell phones, GPS devices, or dispatch radios while driving take their eyes off the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
• Improper Cargo Loading – Overloaded, unbalanced, or improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing rollovers, jackknifes, or spilled loads that endanger other motorists.
• Brake Failures – Poorly maintained brakes can overheat on steep grades (like those near Brenham or Columbus) or fail entirely, preventing the truck from stopping in time.
• Tire Blowouts – Underinflated, worn, or defective tires can explode at high speeds, causing the driver to lose control.
• Underride Collisions – When a car slides under a trailer, the results are often fatal. Many trailers lack proper underride guards, making these crashes more likely.
• Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”) – Trucks need extra space to make right turns, but if they swing too wide, they can crush smaller vehicles in the turn.
• Blind Spot Collisions – Large trucks have four major blind spots (No-Zones), and drivers who fail to check mirrors before changing lanes can cause sideswipe or rear-end crashes.
• Drunk or Drugged Driving – Some truck drivers operate under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal substances, impairing their judgment and reaction time.
• Poor Weather Conditions – Fayette County’s sudden rain, fog, and even winter ice can make roads slippery, increasing the risk of jackknifes, rollovers, and rear-end collisions.

Why You Need a Fayette County 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

After a truck crash, evidence disappears fast. Trucking companies have rapid-response teams that arrive at the scene within hours to protect their interests—not yours. They may destroy black box data, alter logbooks, or pressure drivers to change their stories—all to avoid liability.

That’s why you need Attorney911 on your side immediately. We take aggressive action to preserve evidence, including:

✅ Sending spoliation letters to the trucking company, demanding they preserve ECM/black box data, ELD logs, maintenance records, and driver files
✅ Securing dashcam and surveillance footage before it’s deleted
✅ Hiring accident reconstruction experts to analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and crash dynamics
✅ Subpoenaing cell phone records to prove distracted driving
✅ Obtaining the truck’s maintenance history to identify brake failures, tire defects, or other mechanical issues

Our Team Includes a Former Insurance Defense Attorney

At Attorney911, we have a unique advantage—our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working for a national insurance defense firm before joining our team. He knows exactly how trucking companies and their insurers try to minimize claims, and now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you.

We’ve seen firsthand how insurance adjusters are trained to:

• Lowball settlement offers before victims understand the full extent of their injuries
• Blame the victim for the crash, even when the truck driver was clearly at fault
• Delay claims in hopes that victims will give up or accept a fraction of what they deserve
• Use recorded statements against victims to twist their words and deny claims

Don’t let them take advantage of you. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Fayette County Trucking Accident?

Unlike car accidents, multiple parties can share liability in a truck crash. At Attorney911, we investigate every possible defendant to maximize your compensation, including:

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Fayette County

Our Fayette County trucking accident lawyers have successfully represented victims of all types of commercial vehicle crashes, including:

• Jackknife Accidents – When a truck’s trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle, often blocking multiple lanes and causing multi-vehicle pileups.
• Rollover Accidents – Caused by speeding on curves, sudden lane changes, or shifting cargo, rollovers often eject debris and strike other vehicles.
• Underride Collisions – When a car slides under a trailer, the top of the vehicle is sheared off, often resulting in decapitation or fatal head injuries.
• Rear-End Collisions – Due to their massive weight (20-25x heavier than a car), trucks require 525 feet to stop at 65 mph—nearly two football fields. When they rear-end a car, the results are devastating.
• Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”) – Trucks need extra space to make right turns, but if they swing too wide, they can crush smaller vehicles caught in the turn.
• Blind Spot Collisions (No-Zone Accidents) – Trucks have four major blind spots, and drivers who fail to check mirrors before changing lanes can sideswipe or crush other vehicles.
• Tire Blowouts – Underinflated, worn, or defective tires can explode at high speeds, causing the driver to lose control.
• Brake Failures – Poorly maintained brakes can overheat, fail, or lock up, preventing the truck from stopping in time.
• Cargo Spills / Hazmat Incidents – Improperly secured loads can fall onto the roadway, causing secondary crashes, fires, or chemical exposure.
• Head-On Collisions – Often fatal, these crashes occur when a truck crosses into oncoming traffic due to fatigue, distraction, or mechanical failure.
• Wrongful Death Trucking Accidents – When a loved one is killed in a truck crash, we help families pursue wrongful death claims for lost income, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering.

Catastrophic Injuries from Fayette County Trucking Accidents

Due to the sheer size and weight of 18-wheelers, truck crashes often result in life-altering injuries, including:

How Much Is Your Fayette County Trucking Accident Case Worth?

Every case is unique, but trucking accident settlements and verdicts are often much higher than typical car accident claims because:

✔ Trucking companies carry higher insurance limits ($750,000 – $5M+)
✔ Multiple parties can share liability, increasing available compensation
✔ Catastrophic injuries require lifelong medical care
✔ Juries are more sympathetic to victims when trucking companies act recklessly

Recent Trucking Accident Verdicts & Settlements in Texas

While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, these real trucking accident cases demonstrate what’s possible when victims fight back:

Factors That Affect Your Case Value

The compensation you may recover depends on:

• Severity of your injuries (catastrophic injuries = higher settlements)
• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity (if you can’t work)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional distress)
• Degree of negligence (gross negligence = punitive damages)
• Insurance coverage available (trucking companies carry higher limits)

What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Fayette County

If you’ve been involved in a truck crash in La Grange, Schulenburg, Flatonia, Fayetteville, or anywhere in Fayette County, follow these steps to protect your rights:

1. Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention

• Even if you feel “fine,” adrenaline masks pain—many injuries (like TBI, internal bleeding, or spinal damage) don’t show symptoms immediately.
• Go to the ER or urgent care—medical records are critical evidence.
• Fayette County hospitals include:
  • St. Mark’s Medical Center (La Grange)
  • Schulenburg Regional Hospital
  • Colorado-Fayette Medical Center (Weimar)

2. Document the Scene (If You Can)

• Take photos/videos of:
  • Vehicle damage (all vehicles involved)
  • Skid marks, debris, road conditions
  • Injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling)
  • Truck’s license plate, DOT number, company name
  • Witness contact information
  • Police report number

3. DO NOT Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company

• Insurance adjusters work for the trucking company—not you.
• Anything you say can be used against you to minimize your claim.
• Politely decline and tell them your lawyer will handle all communications.

4. Contact a Fayette County Trucking Accident Lawyer IMMEDIATELY

• Evidence disappears fast—black box data, dashcam footage, and maintenance records can be destroyed within days.
• We send spoliation letters to preserve evidence before it’s lost.
• The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Fayette County Trucking Accident Case?

1. 25+ Years of Experience Fighting Trucking Companies

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has been holding trucking companies accountable since 1998. He has:

• Recovered multi-million dollar settlements for trucking accident victims
• Federal court admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (critical for interstate trucking cases)
• Experience in BP explosion litigation against multinational corporations
• A track record of taking cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to pay fair settlements

2. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Company Tactics

Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working for a national insurance defense firm before joining Attorney911. He knows:

• How adjusters are trained to lowball claims
• What tactics they use to deny or delay payments
• How to counter their strategies to maximize your settlement

3. We Handle ALL Aspects of Your Case

We take care of everything, so you can focus on recovery:
✔ Investigating the crash (accident reconstruction, expert witnesses)
✔ Gathering evidence (ECM data, ELD logs, maintenance records, cell phone records)
✔ Dealing with insurance companies (so you don’t have to)
✔ Calculating your full damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering)
✔ Filing your claim or lawsuit before the Texas 2-year statute of limitations expires
✔ Negotiating aggressively for the maximum settlement
✔ Taking your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to pay fairly

4. No Fee Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning:

• You pay nothing upfront
• We advance all case costs (investigation, experts, court fees)
• You only pay if we win your case
• Our fee comes from the settlement, not your pocket

5. We’re Local to Fayette County

With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we’re never far from Fayette County. We know:

• The local courts (Fayette County Courthouse in La Grange)
• The major trucking routes (I-10, US-77, SH-71)
• The common accident hotspots (intersections, weigh stations, distribution centers)
• The judges and insurance companies involved in trucking cases

6. We Speak Spanish (Hablamos Español)

Many truck drivers and accident victims in Fayette County speak Spanish as their first language. Our team includes bilingual attorneys and staff, including Lupe Peña, who can communicate directly with Spanish-speaking clients without the need for interpreters.

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratuita.

Fayette County Trucking Accident Statistics & Trends

Fayette County’s location along I-10—one of the busiest trucking corridors in the U.S.—puts it at high risk for commercial vehicle crashes. Here’s what you need to know:

Trucking Accident Statistics

• Over 5,100 people die in truck crashes annually in the U.S. (NHTSA)
• 76% of those killed are in passenger vehicles (not the truck occupants)
• Truck crashes in Texas are increasing, with over 35,000 crashes involving large trucks in 2023 alone
• Fayette County has seen a rise in truck-related crashes, particularly along I-10 and US-77

Why Fayette County is High-Risk for Truck Crashes

1. I-10 Corridor – One of the busiest trucking routes in the U.S., connecting Houston to San Antonio and beyond.
2. Rural Roads – Many two-lane highways (like SH-71 and FM-155) lack proper lighting, shoulders, or guardrails.
3. Weather Conditions – Sudden rain, fog, and winter ice can make roads slippery, increasing the risk of jackknifes and rollovers.
4. Weigh Stations & Distribution Centers – Areas like La Grange and Schulenburg have heavy truck traffic from warehouses and agricultural shipments.
5. Fatigued Driving – Truckers under pressure to meet deadlines may violate hours-of-service rules, leading to drowsy driving crashes.

Fayette County Trucking Accident Hotspots

Our attorneys have handled trucking accident cases across Fayette County, including crashes at these high-risk locations:

What to Expect in Your Fayette County Trucking Accident Case

When you hire Attorney911, here’s what happens next:

Step 1: Free Case Evaluation (Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911)

• We’ll listen to your story and explain your legal options.
• We’ll answer all your questions—no pressure, no obligation.
• If we take your case, we’ll start immediately to preserve evidence.

Step 2: Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send spoliation letters to the trucking company, demanding they preserve black box data, ELD logs, maintenance records, and driver files.
• Secure dashcam and surveillance footage before it’s deleted.
• Hire accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash.
• Subpoena cell phone records to prove distracted driving.

Step 3: Medical Treatment & Documentation

• We’ll help you get the medical care you need, even if you don’t have insurance.
• We work with doctors who treat accident victims on a lien basis (you pay nothing upfront).
• We’ll document all your injuries to prove their impact on your life.

Step 4: Investigation & Building Your Case

• Review the trucking company’s safety record (CSA scores, inspection history, past violations).
• Analyze the driver’s qualification file (hiring practices, training records, past accidents).
• Examine maintenance records (brake inspections, tire replacements, known defects).
• Calculate your full damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future care needs).

Step 5: Demand Letter & Negotiation

• We’ll send a comprehensive demand letter to the trucking company’s insurance.
• We’ll negotiate aggressively for the maximum settlement.
• If they refuse to pay fairly, we’ll file a lawsuit and take them to court.

Step 6: Filing a Lawsuit (If Necessary)

• We’ll file your case in the Fayette County Courthouse (La Grange) or federal court if needed.
• We’ll depose the truck driver, safety manager, and corporate representatives.
• We’ll fight for you in mediation or trial to get the compensation you deserve.

Step 7: Settlement or Trial

• Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to court.
• If the insurance company refuses to pay fairly, we’ll take your case to trial and let a Fayette County jury decide what’s fair.
• We’ve secured multi-million dollar verdicts against trucking companies—we’re not afraid to fight for you.

Fayette County Trucking Accident FAQ

1. How long do I have to file a trucking accident lawsuit in Fayette County?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of the accident. However, evidence disappears fast—black box data, dashcam footage, and maintenance records can be destroyed within weeks. Call us immediately to protect your rights.

2. What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?

Even if the driver was an owner-operator, the trucking company may still be liable for:

• Negligent hiring (failing to check the driver’s safety record)
• Negligent supervision (failing to monitor the driver’s hours or performance)
• Negligent maintenance (failing to inspect the truck)

3. What if the trucking company goes bankrupt?

Many trucking companies carry high insurance limits ($750K – $5M+). Even if the company goes bankrupt, we can pursue their insurance policy for compensation.

4. Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?

Yes! Texas follows modified comparative negligence rules. As long as you were less than 51% at fault, you can still recover damages—reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of your damages.

5. How much is my trucking accident case worth?

Every case is different, but trucking accident settlements are often much higher than car accident claims because:

• Trucking companies carry higher insurance limits ($750K – $5M+)
• Multiple parties can share liability (driver, company, cargo loader, manufacturer, etc.)
• Catastrophic injuries require lifelong medical care

6. What if the truck driver was uninsured or underinsured?

If the truck driver doesn’t have enough insurance, we can pursue your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Many drivers carry UM/UIM policies that provide additional protection.

7. Can I sue the trucking company if the driver was arrested for DUI?

Yes! If the truck driver was driving under the influence, both the driver and the trucking company can be held liable. We can also pursue punitive damages for gross negligence.

8. What if the trucking company offers me a quick settlement?

Never accept a quick settlement without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies lowball early offers to pay you far less than your case is worth. Once you accept, you waive your right to additional compensation—even if your injuries worsen.

9. How long will my trucking accident case take?

• Simple cases with clear liability: 6–12 months
• Moderate cases with disputed liability: 1–2 years
• Complex cases with catastrophic injuries: 2–4 years

We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your compensation.

10. Do I need a lawyer for a trucking accident claim?

Yes! Trucking accident cases are far more complex than car accident claims. You’re up against:

• Teams of corporate lawyers protecting the trucking company
• Insurance adjusters trained to minimize your claim
• Federal regulations that require specialized knowledge

Studies show that accident victims with lawyers recover 3.5x more compensation than those who go it alone.

Fayette County Trucking Accident Resources

If you’ve been involved in a truck crash in Fayette County, these resources may help:

Emergency & Medical Services

• Fayette County Sheriff’s Office: (979) 968-5856
• La Grange Police Department: (979) 968-5521
• Schulenburg Police Department: (979) 743-4514
• St. Mark’s Medical Center (La Grange): (979) 968-3333
• Schulenburg Regional Hospital: (979) 743-4511
• Colorado-Fayette Medical Center (Weimar): (979) 725-8241

Legal & Government Resources

• Fayette County Courthouse (La Grange): (979) 968-3251
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): www.txdot.gov
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): www.fmcsa.dot.gov
• Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): www.dps.texas.gov

Trucking Safety & Regulations

• FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS): ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
• FMCSA Company Snapshot: safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): www.nhtsa.gov

Contact Attorney911 Today – We Fight for Fayette County Families

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Fayette County, time is critical. Evidence disappears fast, and the trucking company’s lawyers are already working to protect their interests—not yours.

Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll:
✔ Listen to your story and explain your legal options
✔ Send spoliation letters to preserve critical evidence
✔ Fight for maximum compensation for your injuries
✔ Handle all communications with the insurance company (so you don’t have to)
✔ Work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win

24/7 Emergency Legal Help – Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-288-9911.

Serving All of Fayette County, Including:

• La Grange
• Schulenburg
• Flatonia
• Fayetteville
• Weimar
• Round Top
• Carmine
• Muldoon
• Warrenton
• Ellinger
• Hostyn
• Swiss Alp
• Dubina

Offices Near Fayette County:

• Houston Office: 1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
• Austin Office: 316 West 12th Street, Suite 311, Austin, TX 78701
• Beaumont Office: Available for client meetings

Don’t wait—call us now before evidence disappears. We’re here to fight for you.