An 80,000-pound logging truck hits black ice on Route 4 near Farmington. In an instant, everything changes. If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in Franklin County—or if you’re helping a loved one who can’t walk, can’t work, can’t sleep—you need to know you’re not alone. You’re also running out of time.
Evidence disappears fast in 18-wheeler accidents. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Dashcam footage gets deleted. Witnesses at the Kingfield intersection forget what they saw. Meanwhile, the trucking company has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less.
We don’t think that’s fair. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been holding trucking companies accountable since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court, has litigated against Fortune 500 corporations like BP, and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña used to work for insurance companies—now he fights against them. He knows their playbook.
We don’t just handle cases in Texas. With federal court admission and experience litigating interstate trucking cases across the country, we represent 18-wheeler accident victims in Franklin County and throughout Maine. We understand the unique dangers of Maine’s roads—the logging trucks barreling down from the North Woods, the black ice on Route 2, the nor’easters that turn I-95 into a skating rink.
If you’ve been hurt in a trucking accident anywhere in Franklin County—from Farmington to Rangeley, from Kingfield to Stratton—call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. The consultation is free. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. And we send spoliation letters within 24 hours to preserve the evidence that proves your case.
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.
Why Franklin County Trucking Accidents Demand Specialized Legal Experience
Franklin County isn’t like other places. Our winters are brutal. Our roads wind through mountains and forests. Our economy depends on logging trucks hauling timber from the North Woods, potato trucks during harvest season, and freight carriers running between Quebec and Portland along I-95.
When an 18-wheeler crashes here, it’s not just another accident. It’s a catastrophe.
The physics alone are terrifying. Your car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded logging truck can hit 80,000 pounds. That’s not a collision—it’s a demolition. At 55 miles per hour on Route 27, that truck needs over 500 feet to stop. That’s nearly two football fields. In a blizzard with black ice? They might as well be on skis.
We’ve seen what happens when trucking companies cut corners in Franklin County. We’ve seen brake failures on the grades near Rangeley. We’ve seen logging trucks with improperly secured loads spill timber across Route 4. We’ve seen fatigued drivers fall asleep at the wheel on I-95, crossing into oncoming traffic because they violated federal hours-of-service rules.
These aren’t just accidents. They’re violations of federal law. And they’re preventable.
Maine Law: What You Need to Know After a Franklin County Trucking Accident
Maine gives you more time than most states to file a personal injury lawsuit—but don’t wait. The evidence you need to prove your case has a much shorter expiration date.
Statute of Limitations in Maine:
- Personal Injury: 6 years from the date of accident (longest in the nation)
- Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death
Six years sounds generous. But here’s what they don’t tell you: black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Driver logs might only be kept for 6 months. Witness memories fade in weeks. The trucking company is building its defense right now. Every day you wait makes your case harder to prove.
Modified Comparative Negligence:
Maine follows a 50% bar rule. If you’re found 40% at fault for the accident, you can still recover 60% of your damages. But if you’re 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. The trucking company’s insurance adjuster will try to push you over that line. We’ve seen them claim a victim was “speeding” in a snowstorm when they were actually driving cautiously for conditions.
No Punitive Damage Caps:
Unlike some states, Maine doesn’t cap punitive damages in trucking cases. If we can prove the trucking company acted with gross negligence—like knowingly putting a fatigued driver on the road or deliberately falsifying maintenance records—the jury can award unlimited punitive damages to punish them.
The Federal Regulations That Trucking Companies Break (And How We Prove It)
Every 18-wheeler operating in Franklin County must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These aren’t suggestions—they’re laws. When truckers and their companies break them, people die.
49 CFR Part 395 – Hours of Service (HOS):
This is the big one. Drivers can legally drive only 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. They can’t drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. They need a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
In Franklin County, we see HOS violations constantly. Drivers pushing through the night to make Portland by morning. Logging truck drivers working 16-hour days during peak season. When the ELD (Electronic Logging Device) shows they were driving during the 15th or 16th hour, that’s not just a violation—that’s negligence per se.
49 CFR Part 391 – Driver Qualification:
Trucking companies must verify that drivers are qualified. They need a valid CDL, a current medical examiner’s certificate, and a clean driving history. We subpoena the Driver Qualification File in every case. If the trucking company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or license suspensions, that’s negligent hiring, and they’re liable for punitive damages.
49 CFR Part 393 – Vehicle Safety & Cargo Securement:
Brakes must work. Tires must have tread. Cargo must be secured. In Maine, we see logging trucks with improperly secured loads that shift on turns, causing rollovers. We see trucks with brakes out of adjustment—violating § 393.40—trying to navigate the steep grades near Sugarloaf.
49 CFR Part 392 – Driving Rules:
Drivers can’t speed. They can’t tailgate. They can’t text while driving (§ 392.82). In Franklin County’s winter conditions, § 392.3 requires drivers to operate safely for conditions. Going 55 in a 55 during a blizzard isn’t safe—it’s negligence.
49 CFR Part 396 – Inspection & Maintenance:
Every truck needs systematic inspection. Pre-trip. Post-trip. Annual. When a tire blows on I-95 because the company skipped inspections, or when brakes fail on the downgrade into Farmington because they “didn’t have time” to fix them, that’s a violation that proves liability.
We know these regulations inside and out. When we find violations—and we always find violations—we use them to force the trucking company to pay full value for your injuries.
The 10 Liable Parties We Pursue in Franklin County Trucking Cases
Most law firms sue the driver and the trucking company and call it a day. That’s leaving money on the table. In Maine, we pursue every potentially responsible party because more defendants means more insurance coverage means maximum compensation for you.
1. The Truck Driver
Speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment. We get their cell phone records, their drug test results, and their employment history.
2. The Trucking Company/Motor Carrier
Under Maine’s vicarious liability laws, employers are responsible for their employees’ negligence. But we also look for direct negligence: negligent hiring, negligent training (did they train the driver for mountain winter driving?), negligent supervision, and negligent maintenance.
3. The Truck Owner
In owner-operator arrangements, the person who owns the truck may be separate from the company hauling the load. They can be liable for negligent entrustment.
4. The Cargo Owner/Shipper
Franklin County’s economy runs on timber and potatoes. If a logging company demanded an overloaded truck to maximize profits, or if they forced an unrealistic delivery schedule that violated HOS rules, they’re liable.
5. The Loading Company
Improperly secured logs cause rollovers. Overweight potato trucks can’t stop on icy roads. The company that loaded the cargo may be liable under 49 CFR § 393.100 for securement violations.
6. The Maintenance Company
Third-party mechanics who failed to fix known brake issues or ignored unsafe tires are liable for their negligence.
7. The Freight Broker
Brokers who arrange transportation have a duty to select safe carriers. If they hired a trucking company with a terrible safety record to save money, they’re liable for negligent selection.
8. The Truck/Parts Manufacturer
Defective brakes. Faulty steering. Substandard tires. We work with engineers to identify product defects that caused or worsened your accident.
9. The Trailer Owner
Sometimes the cab and trailer have different owners. Both may carry insurance.
10. Government Entities
If the accident was caused by dangerous road design—like inadequate signage on the Carrabassett Valley curves or failure to maintain drainage causing ice—we can pursue claims against the state or municipality. But notice requirements are strict and deadlines are short, so call immediately.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Franklin County
Every accident is different, but in Franklin County’s unique geography and climate, we see patterns.
Jackknife Accidents
When a truck’s cab and trailer fold in on each other like a pocket knife. Common on I-95 in winter when drivers brake too hard on ice. The trailer swings across all lanes, wiping out everything in its path.
Rollover Accidents
Logging trucks are top-heavy. When they hit black ice on Route 4 or take the curves near Kingfield too fast, they roll. Rollovers cause catastrophic crushing injuries and often block rural roads for hours, delaying emergency response.
Underride Collisions
The most deadly type. When a car slides under the truck’s trailer, the roof gets sheared off. Federal law requires rear underride guards (49 CFR § 393.86), but many trucks have inadequate guards, and there’s no federal requirement for side underride guards—though Maine’s legislature has considered them.
Rear-End Collisions
An 80,000-pound truck needs twice the stopping distance of a car. When a distracted or fatigued driver doesn’t see traffic stopped for a red light in Farmington, the result is devastating.
Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)
Logging trucks need massive space to turn. When they swing left to make a right turn onto Route 27, cars in the right lane get crushed.
Tire Blowouts
The extreme temperature swings in Maine—freezing nights, warm days—cause tire pressure fluctuations. Combined with overloaded logging trucks, we see blowouts that send 18-wheelers careening into oncoming traffic.
Brake Failure Accidents
Downhill grades from the mountains into the valleys. If the brakes aren’t maintained per § 396.3, the driver loses control. We’ve seen runaway trucks on Route 2 because companies skipped maintenance to save money.
Cargo Spills
When logs spill across the highway, or when a potato truck’s load shifts causing a rollover, the cargo owner and loader are liable for failing to secure the load per § 393.100.
Head-On Collisions
Fatigued drivers crossing the center line on rural roads at night. Texting drivers drifting into oncoming traffic. These are often fatal.
Catastrophic Injuries: The Human Cost
We’ve worked with victims of Franklin County trucking accidents for decades. We know the injuries you’re dealing with aren’t “soft tissue” aches that go away in six weeks. They’re life-altering.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The force of an 18-wheeler impact causes the brain to slam against the skull. Victims suffer memory loss, personality changes, inability to work, and require 24/7 care. We’ve recovered between $1.5 million and $9.8 million for TBI victims.
Spinal Cord Injury & Paralysis
A crushed vertebra from a rollover or underride collision can sever the spinal cord. Paraplegia. Quadriplegia. Lifetime costs exceeding $5 million for care, equipment, and lost wages.
Amputation
When a truck crushes a vehicle, limbs are often mangled beyond repair. We’ve secured settlements between $1.9 million and $8.6 million for amputation victims, covering prosthetics, rehabilitation, and lifetime care.
Severe Burns
If the truck’s fuel tank ruptures or if it’s carrying hazardous materials, fires cause third-degree burns requiring years of painful grafts and rehabilitation.
Wrongful Death
When a trucking company’s negligence kills your loved one on Maine’s roads, we fight for justice. Settlements in the $1.9 million to $9.5 million range can’t bring them back, but they can secure your family’s future and punish the company that prioritized profits over safety.
The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol
This is critical. If you remember nothing else, remember this: the trucking company is destroying evidence right now.
Black Box Data (ECM/EDR):
Records speed, braking, throttle position, and seatbelt use in the seconds before impact. Overwritten in 30 days—or with the ignition of the next trip.
ELD Logs:
Proves hours-of-service violations. Required retention is only 6 months, but drivers can edit them within 24 hours.
Dashcam Footage:
Often deleted within 7-14 days if it shows the driver at fault.
Driver Qualification File:
Shows if they were qualified to drive. If the company “loses” this after an accident, we can get sanctions.
Maintenance Records:
Proves they knew the brakes were bad. FMCSA requires 1-year retention, but companies “routinely shred” older records—unless we send a spoliation letter immediately.
Spoliation Letters:
We send these within 24 hours of being retained. It’s a legal notice that litigation is anticipated and all evidence must be preserved. Destroying evidence after receiving this letter can result in:
- The judge instructing the jury to assume the destroyed evidence was unfavorable to the trucking company
- Monetary sanctions
- Default judgment (you win automatically)
- Punitive damages
As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat your case like it’s our own family’s case. That means moving fast.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.
Insurance Coverage: Why Trucking Cases Are Worth More
Unlike car accidents where the other driver might have $100,000 in coverage (or none at all), federal law requires trucking companies to carry massive insurance:
- General Freight: $750,000 minimum
- Oil Transport: $1,000,000 minimum
- Hazardous Materials: $5,000,000 minimum
Many carriers carry $1-5 million in coverage. That sounds like good news, but here’s the catch: the insurance company won’t volunteer this information. They’ll hide behind layers of corporate structure. They’ll claim the driver is an “independent contractor” to limit liability. They’ll offer you $50,000 to go away, knowing your case is worth 20 times that.
That’s why you need an attorney who knows how to find every policy, stack coverages, and force the full payment.
Our associate Lupe Peña spent years defending insurance companies. He knows where they hide the money. He knows when they’re bluffing. He knows that when we prepare a case for trial—when we depose their safety director, when we hire accident reconstructionists, when we find the smoking gun in their maintenance records—they suddenly get much more generous with their settlement offers.
As client Glenda Walker told us, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
FAQ: Franklin County 18-Wheeler Accident Questions
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Maine?
Six years for personal injury, two years for wrongful death. But don’t wait. Evidence disappears in weeks, not years.
What if the truck driver says I caused the accident?
Maine uses modified comparative negligence. If you’re less than 50% at fault, you recover proportional damages. We use ECM data, ELD logs, and witnesses to prove the truth.
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
Never. They record everything you say and use it against you. Let us handle all communications.
How much is my case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and insurance coverage. We’ve recovered millions for catastrophic injuries in similar cases.
Can I afford an attorney?
Yes. We work on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid when you win. Consultations are free.
What if the trucking company is from out of state?
Even better. Federal regulations apply nationwide. We have federal court admission and can sue them in Maine federal court, forcing them to face a Franklin County jury.
Do you handle cases in rural Franklin County areas?
Yes. From Farmington to the Canadian border, we handle trucking accidents throughout the county.
Can undocumented immigrants file claims?
Yes. Immigration status doesn’t affect your right to compensation for injuries caused by a negligent truck driver.
Hablamos Español?
Sí. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish representation. No interpreters needed. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Franklin County Trucking Case
We’ve gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations. We handled litigation related to the BP Texas City explosion that killed 15 workers. We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against a major university for hazing injuries. But more importantly, we’ve helped hundreds of families across the country recover after devastating trucking accidents.
We’re not a mill firm where you’re a case number. Ralph Manginello gives clients his personal cell phone. We return calls within 24 hours. We explain the law in plain English (or Spanish). And we don’t stop fighting until you get every dime you deserve.
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 have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we serve trucking accident victims nationwide, including throughout Maine. We know the federal trucking regulations apply whether the accident happened in Texas or Franklin County. We know how to preserve evidence across state lines. And we know how to maximize your recovery under Maine’s unique 6-year statute and comparative negligence rules.
The trucking company has lawyers. You should too.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free consultation. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you in Franklin County. Night or day, we’re here.
Remember: black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. The evidence you need to prove your case is disappearing. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
Hablamos Español. Your fight starts now.
