Franklin County Truck Accident Attorneys: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Wrecks

The impact was catastrophic. One moment, you were driving through Franklin County, perhaps heading home to Mount Vernon or navigating the heavy freight traffic along the I-30 corridor. The next, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into your vehicle, changing your life in an instant. This wasn’t some minor car-to-car fender bender; an 18-wheeler or a heavy industrial truck doesn’t give you a fair fight.

At Attorney911, we believe that when a trucking company’s negligence destroys a life, they must be held fully accountable for every dollar of damage they’ve caused. Our founding attorney, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years in the trenches of personal injury litigation, going toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations and winning. Since 1998, we have focused on representing victims who have been crushed, physically and financially, by the trucking industry.

If you are reading this from a hospital bed in Franklin County or while caring for a loved one whose future has been stolen by a commercial vehicle crash, you need to know that the clock is already ticking. Within 48 hours of an accident, critical evidence in Franklin County can be overwritten, deleted, or “lost” by trucking companies that employ rapid-response legal teams. You deserve a fighter who moves just as fast. Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us nothing unless we recover money for you.

Why Experience Matters in Franklin County Trucking Litigation

Trucking accidents are fundamentally different from standard car accidents. They aren’t just larger crashes; they are legal battles involving federal regulations, multinational corporate defendants, and complex insurance structures. Most general practice lawyers in Texas simply aren’t equipped to handle the specialized investigation required to win an 18-wheeler case.

Our firm brings a unique advantage to every victim in Franklin County. Associate attorney Lupe Peña used to work for the insurance defense firms that protect these trucking companies. He knows their playbook, he understands how they value claims through algorithmic software, and he knows exactly how adjusters are trained to minimize and deny your suffering. Today, Lupe uses that insider knowledge to break through their defenses and secure maximum compensation for our clients.

We have a proven track record against corporate giants like Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. We’ve even litigated against global energy corporations like BP in the aftermath of the Texas City refinery explosion—a case that involved 15 deaths and over 170 injuries, resulting in billions in settlements industry-wide. Whether it was a Walmart rig jackknifing on I-30 or an Amazon delivery van causing a blind-spot collision in a residential neighborhood of Franklin County, we have the experience to fight and win.

The Dangerous Trucking Landscape of Franklin County

Franklin County sits at a critical intersection for Texas commerce. Interstate 30 serves as a primary artery for freight moving between Dallas, Texarkana, and the rest of the United States. Every single day, thousands of 18-wheelers, car carriers, and flatbed trailers barrel through our county. This high volume, combined with the mix of rural farm traffic and industrial hauling, creates a perfect storm for catastrophic accidents.

In Franklin County, we see specific hazards that most out-of-town lawyers don’t understand:

• The I-30 Freight Corridor: This stretch is notorious for high-speed rear-end collisions caused by driver fatigue and following too closely.
• Agricultural and Poultry Trucking: Franklin County’s dairy and poultry industries mean heavy feed trucks and livestock trailers frequently travel narrow FM roads, where a wide-turn error or a shifting load can be fatal.
• Hiring and Training Gaps: With a national driver shortage, many companies are putting unqualified or under-trained drivers on our roads, leading to loss-of-control accidents on curves and bridges.
• Weather Extremes: In Northeast Texas, sudden thunderstorms or rare ice storms can turn local highways into literal ice rinks. Under 49 CFR § 392.14, truck drivers are required to exercise extreme caution and even disable their vehicles in hazardous conditions. When they “push through” to meet a delivery quota in Franklin County, they are breaking federal law.

As client Chad Harris said about his experience with us, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat every Franklin County victim with that level of care while maintaining a “fight tooth and nail” mentality against the insurance companies.

Call 888-ATTY-911 right now. We are available 24/7 to begin your Franklin County investigation.

I-30 and the Physics of a Franklin County 18-Wheeler Wreck

A fully loaded tractor-trailer weighs up to 80,000 pounds. The average sedan in Franklin County weighs about 4,000 pounds. That 20-to-1 weight disparity means that when an 18-wheeler collides with a car at 65 mph, the car absorbs nearly all the kinetic energy. The physics are simple: the smaller vehicle loses every time.

According to federal data, a loaded semi-truck traveling at highway speeds on a dry road in Franklin County needs about 525 feet to come to a complete stop. That is nearly two football fields. If a driver is distracted by a fleet management system, a cell phone, or is simply fighting to stay awake after exceeding their Hours of Service limits (under 49 CFR Part 395), they have no chance of stopping in time to avoid the traffic ahead.

Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.

Franklin County Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife is one of the most terrifying sights on a local highway. It occurs when the trailer tires lose traction and the trailer swings forward, folding toward the cab like a pocketknife. This often happens on wet roads near Mount Vernon or during sudden braking. Once a jackknife starts, the driver loses all steering control, and the trailer can sweep across every lane of I-30, crushing multiple cars. We investigate these cases by looking at 49 CFR § 393.48 violations to see if faulty brake adjustment contributed to the loss of control.

Underride Collisions in Franklin County

Underride crashes are among the most lethal accidents we handle. This occurs when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the back or side of a trailer. Because of the height mismatch, the trailer often enters the passenger compartment at head height, leading to decapitation or catastrophic TBI. Federal law (49 CFR § 393.86) requires rear underride guards, but they are often poorly maintained. Furthermore, trucking companies often resist installing side underride guards because they are not yet federally mandated, though they are technically feasible and life-saving. If your family suffered an underride crash in Franklin County, we will look for evidence of negligent maintenance of the Mansfield bars or ICC bumpers.

Corporate Fleet Accidents: Suing Walmart, Amazon, and FedEx

When you are hit by a truck with a corporate logo on it, the legal battle changes. These aren’t just trucking cases; they are corporate negligence cases.

Walmart Truck Accidents in Franklin County

Walmart operates the largest private fleet in America with approximately 12,000 trucks. While they have internal safety programs like the Smith System, the sheer volume of their traffic on I-30 increases the risk. A key legal factor here is that Walmart drivers are usually W-2 employees. This makes Walmart directly liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Walmart is self-insured for millions, meaning they pay out of their own pocket and fight like hell to protect their bottom line. We have successfully litigated against Walmart Transportation and know exactly how to handle their claims department.

Amazon Delivery Van Accidents

Amazon uses a Delivery Service Partner (DSP) model to shield themselves from liability. They claim the driver is an “independent contractor,” but our associate attorney Lupe Peña knows how to pierce that shield. Amazon controls the routes, the delivery windows, and monitors the drivers via the Mentor app and Netradyne AI cameras. If an Amazon driver struck you in Franklin County, we argue that the level of control Amazon exercises makes them an “ostensible master,” and we will seek the $5 million in contingent coverage and corporate excess layers they hide behind.

FedEx Ground and UPS

FedEx Ground also uses a contractor model (Independent Service Providers), while UPS drivers are unionized employees. These distinctions matter in Franklin County courts. Different insurance layers apply to FedEx and UPS, and our team understands how to find every dollar of available coverage, including the MCS-90 endorsement that guarantees a minimum level of recovery for victims.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Oilfield and Industrial Trucking in the Franklin County Region

While Franklin County is known for its rolling hills and agriculture, we are on the doorstep of East Texas oil and gas activity. Large industrial vehicles—produced water tankers, frac sand haulers, and crude oil trucks—regularly navigate our county roads.

An oilfield trucking accident in Franklin County is a hybrid case. It involves FMCSA trucking regulations and OSHA workplace safety rules (29 CFR 1910). Drivers in the energy sector often work brutal 12-to-14-hour shifts, leading to extreme fatigue. If a water truck rolls over on a narrow FM road in Franklin County, we don’t just sue the driver; we look at the oil company that created the production pressure and the lease road hazards. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with major oil/gas players and forced them to pay for the damage they’ve done to hard-working families.

Liability: Who Pays for Your Franklin County Truck Wreck?

Most lawyers only sue the driver and the trucking company. At Attorney911, we know that to maximize your recovery, we must identify EVERY liable party. Our investigation of a Franklin County crash often uncovers a web of responsibility:

1. The Truck Driver: Negligence through speeding, fatigue, or distraction.
2. The Trucking Company: Liable for negligent hiring, training, and supervision.
3. The Cargo Owner: If the load was hazardous or improperly disclosed.
4. The Loading Company: 49 CFR Part 393 requires specific cargo securement. If a load shifts and causes a rollover in Franklin County, the loader is liable.
5. Truck Manufacturers: Design defects in brakes, steering, or tires (product liability).
6. Parts Manufacturers: Defective cooling systems or brake pads.
7. Maintenance Companies: Third-party shops that failed to do the work the carrier paid for.
8. Freight Brokers: If they brokered a load to a carrier with a known terrible safety record.
9. The Truck Owner: Negligent entrustment of a dangerous vehicle.
10. Government Entities: For dangerous road design or failure to maintain highway safety barriers in Franklin County.
11. Corporate Parent Companies: Piercing the “Amazon DSP” or “FedEx Independent Carrier” shield.
12. Oilfield Operators: For creating conditions that demand illegal driving hours.
13. Staffing Agencies: For providing unqualified drivers to local fleets.
14. Rental Truck Companies: U-Haul or Penske renting 26-foot trucks to untrained civilians with zero experience.
15. Transit Agencies/School Districts: If a public bus or school bus was involved.
16. The Federal Government: Crucial if a USPS or military vehicle was involved, requiring a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) filing.

By identifying multiple defendants, we access multiple insurance policies. This “insurance stacking” is often the only way to cover the millions of dollars in damages caused by catastrophic injuries in Franklin County.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol

The moment a truck crash occurs in Franklin County, the carrier’s insurance company is working. They are interviewing the driver, capturing the logs, and sometimes even repairing the truck before an expert can inspect it.

We stop them.

Within 24 to 48 hours of being hired, we send a formal Spoliation Letter. This is a legal demand that the trucking company and all 16 potentially liable parties preserve every shred of evidence. If they destroy it after receiving our letter, we can request a “sanction” in court, where the jury is told to assume the destroyed evidence was bad for the company.

Key evidence we preserve includes:

• ECM (Engine Control Module): The “Black Box” that records speed, RPMs, and brake force at the time of the impact.
• ELD (Electronic Logging Device): The digital log that proves if the driver was awake too long.
• Driver Qualification File (DQF): We check under 49 CFR § 391.51 to see if the driver had a history of DUIs or was medically unfit to drive.
• Maintenance Logs: We look for deferred repairs to brakes or tires that made the truck an unguided missile on Franklin County roads.
• Telematics/GPS: This shows the route, sudden stops, and whether the driver was speeding between deliveries in Franklin County.

What you do in the next 48 hours determines the value of your case. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.

Catastrophic Injuries and the Financial Cost of Survival

A truck accident doesn’t just cause “pain.” It causes a “life change.” Our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for victims because we understand the medical and economic depth of these injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Even a “mild” concussion at a Franklin County crash site can lead to permanent cognitive deficits. We work with neurologists to document axonal shearing and “coup-contrecoup” injuries that X-rays miss. Settlements for moderate to severe TBI routinely range from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million because of the lifetime cost of care and lost earning potential.
Learn more: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.

Spinal Cord Injury & Paralysis

When an 18-wheeler crushes a passenger car, the vertical compression forces often snap or sever the spinal cord. Whether it’s paraplegia or quadriplegia, the victim will never walk again. Lifetime care costs for these injuries can reach $25 million when you factor in 24/7 nursing care, home modifications, and specialized medical equipment.

Traumatic Amputation

A leg or arm trapped in the wreckage of a Franklin County wreck often has to be surgically removed. The cost of high-tech prosthetics—which must be replaced every few years for the rest of an amputee’s life—is staggering. We have secured settlements ranging from $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation victims.
See our video: “Car Accident + Medical Complication: Partial Leg Amputation” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=napfCFm5uoQ.

Wrongful Death in Franklin County

No check replaces a husband, wife, or child. However, Texas law allows families to recover for their mental anguish, loss of companionship, and the loss of the financial support the deceased would have provided. In cases of “gross negligence”—such as a trucking company letting a driver with a suspended license on the road—we also pursue punitive damages to punish the corporation and prevent this from happening to another Franklin County family. Settlements in these cases often range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million or more.

Hidden Damages: What the Insurance Company Won’t Mention

When the insurance adjuster from a corporate fleet calls you, they will offer a “generous” check that covers your current hospital bills. Do not sign it.

That check doesn’t include the “hidden” damages that Attorney Ralph Manginello fights for:

• Future Medical Care: That back fusion you need in five years? The adjuster isn’t paying for it unless we make them.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If you can no longer work as a mechanic, nurse, or contractor in Franklin County, you’ve lost literal decades of income.
• Household Services: The cost of mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, and caring for children that you can no longer physically perform.
• Intangible Quality of Life: You can’t fish with your kids, you can’t walk your daughter down the aisle, and you live with 24/7 phantom pain. That has a real, legal dollar value.

As Glenda Walker said about her case, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We don’t settle for the bills you have today; we settle for the life you have to live tomorrow.

The State of Texas Legal Framework in Franklin County

Your case will be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, and our team knows them inside and out.

• Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you have exactly two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline by even one day, your right to recover is gone forever.
• Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Bar Rule): In Franklin County, you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, if a jury finds you were 51% or more at fault, you recover NOTHING. This is why the trucking company will spend all their time trying to blame YOU. We use ECM data to prove their driver was the primary cause.
• Damage Caps: Unlike medical malpractice, Texas does NOT cap most compensatory damages in trucking accidents. However, there are complex formulas for capping punitive damages (the greater of 2x economic + non-economic up to $750k, or $200k).
• Federal Court Admission: Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. This is vital because many trucking companies are headquartered outside the state and will try to move your Franklin County case to Federal Court to gain a procedural advantage. We are comfortable in both state and federal courtrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Franklin County Truck Accident Victims

1. I was hit by a Walmart truck on I-30 near Mount Vernon. Who do I talk to?

Only your attorney. Walmart Transportation has its own internal claims department. They are incredibly sophisticated and will try to get you to sign a release before you even know your full medical diagnosis. Because Walmart is a “solvent defendant” with massive resources, your case is worth a fight.

2. The Amazon driver said it wasn’t his fault because he was “independent.” Is he right?

He’s probably repeating what his boss told him. Even if he works for a small DSP, Amazon exercises massive control over his daily work. Under modern Texas agency law, we can often hold Amazon accountable for the actions of their drivers.

3. How long do I have to file my case in Franklin County?

You have two years. However, waiting two years is a disaster. Evidence on the I-30 corridor—like skid marks, asphalt scrape patterns, and intersection camera footage—disappears in days. Black box data is gone in 30. You should call 1-888-ATTY-911 within 48 hours.

4. What if the truck driver was on drugs or alcohol?

We subpoena the post-accident drug and alcohol tests required under 49 CFR Part 382. If a driver testing positive operated a rig in Franklin County, the trucking company is facing massive liability and potentially punitive damages for failing to maintain a drug-free fleet.

5. I don’t have money for a lawyer. How can I hire Attorney911?

Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee. Typically, this is 33.33% if the case settles before filing and 40% if we go to trial. We pay for all the experts, the accident reconstructionists, and the court costs upfront. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us a penny.

6. Can I sue for PTSD after a Franklin County truck crash?

Yes. Psychological injuries are just as real as broken bones. Flashbacks, nightmares, and a terror of driving are compensable as “mental anguish” under Texas law. Learn more: “Can I Get a PTSD Payout After a Car Accident?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9803X_jnR4A.

7. What if the truck that hit me was from another state?

This is common on the I-30/Northeast Texas corridor. Because the accident happened in Franklin County, we can maintain jurisdiction here. Our managing partner’s dual-state licensure and federal court admission mean we can handle interstate trucking companies with ease.

8. An oilfield water truck hit me on a county road. Why is that different?

Water trucks and sand haulers are often overloaded, exceeding the weight limits for local Franklin County roads. They are also prone to “slosh effect” rollovers. These cases involve BOTH FMCSA and OSHA violations, giving us two ways to prove negligence.

9. Who is responsible for a dump truck accident at a local construction site?

Usually the construction company, the driver, and the entity that hired them. Dump trucks are often poorly maintained and operated by drivers without CDLs (if under weight limits). We investigate the hiring chain to find the professional carriers involved.

10. A FedEx Ground truck hit me in Franklin County. Do I sue FedEx?

We sue both the contractor (ISP) and FedEx Ground. FedEx Ground usually provides a $5 million contingent policy above the contractor’s insurance. We fight to make sure you get every layer of that coverage.

11. My child was on a school bus hit by an 18-wheeler in Franklin County. What now?

School bus accidents involve multiple victims. If the truck was at fault, their $750k or $1M policy might not be enough for everyone. We act fast to file and secure your place in the insurance line, looking for excess or umbrella coverage to ensure your child’s trauma is fully compensated.

12. Can I get a settlement for a “herniated disc” from a truck accident?

Yes. Insurance companies will call this “degenerative disc disease” or a “pre-existing condition.” In Franklin County, we use the “Eggshell Skull” rule—the trucking company is responsible for the AGGRAVATION of any previous condition. If you were working and fine before the wreck and now you need surgery, they owe you.

13. What happens if the black box data “disappears”?

If we sent our spoliation letter and they “lost” the box, we can ask for a “Spoliation Instruction.” This is powerful—the judge tells the jury that the company likely destroyed the record because it proved they were at fault.

14. What if I was a pedestrian struck by a delivery van in Franklin County?

Pedestrians have zero protection. These are often traumatic amputation or wrongful death cases. We investigate whether the driver was using a GPS app and failed to notice someone in a crosswalk or shouldering on a local road.

15. Why should I hire a “First Class” firm instead of a local generalist?

As client Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.” Trucking companies hire the biggest defense firms in the country. You don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. You bring a team that has recovered over $50 million for victims.

Multi-Million Dollar Case Results: Public Record Examples

While every case is different, juries across the nation—including right here in Texas—are sending messages to negligent carriers.

• $730 Million (2021): A Texas jury awarded this to a family after an oversize load (a Navy propeller) struck a woman’s car.
• $150 Million (2022): The largest 18-wheeler settlement in US history, paid by Werner Enterprises after a crash that killed two children on I-30.
• $37.5 Million (2024): A trucking verdict in Texas involving driver fatigue.

At Attorney911, our own results speak for themselves: $5+ million for a TBI victim, $3.8+ million for a traumatic amputation, and $2.5+ million for a truck crash survivor.

Franklin County Truck Accident Witnesses and Emergency Response

If you are a witness to an accident on I-30 or a local road in Franklin County, your testimony is vital. We look for:

• Police Reports from Mount Vernon PD or Franklin County Sheriff.
• TxDOT Crash Records (CRIS).
• 911 Dispatch Recordings.
• Security Footage from local businesses along the corridor.

If you are a victim, do not rely on the police report alone. Police are often rushed and can miss technical FMCSA violations. We conduct our own private investigation with accident reconstruction engineers.

Fighting for Your Family in Franklin County

A truck accident is a legal emergency. It is a financial emergency. It is a medical emergency.

Don’t let a corporate risk manager or a clever insurance adjuster tell you what your life is worth. They have a motive to pay you zero. We have a motive to get you every dime you deserve. As Donald Wilcox put it after we took his case that another firm rejected: “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.”

When the world’s largest trucks cause the world’s largest problems, you need the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

Franklin County families, y’all don’t have to fight this alone.

Contact Attorney911 Now

Every second you wait is a second the evidence sits in a company-controlled yard. Every hour you wait is an hour for an adjuster to find a witness who “remembered it differently.”

One Call. One Goal. Justice. 1-888-ATTY-911.

Call our toll-free line anytime, day or night. We serve all of Franklin County, including Mount Vernon, Winnsboro, and the surrounding areas. We can meet you at your home, your hospital room, or our offices in Houston or Austin.

Attorney911: Powerful & Proven. The firm insurers fear.

1-888-288-9911
https://attorney911.com
ralph@atty911.com

Hablamos Español. Consulta Gratis 24/7.