18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Gregg County: Holding Trucking Companies Accountable

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Gregg County, you know the devastation these crashes can cause. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks—often 20-25 times heavier than passenger vehicles—turn even minor collisions into life-altering events. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and wrongful death are tragically common in trucking accidents on Gregg County’s highways.

At Attorney911, we specialize in fighting for victims of 18-wheeler accidents in Gregg County and across Texas. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has over 25 years of experience holding trucking companies accountable for their negligence. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families devastated by truck crashes, and we’re ready to fight for you.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different in Gregg County

Gregg County sits at a critical crossroads for commercial trucking. Interstate 20 runs through the heart of the county, connecting major freight hubs like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Shreveport. Highway 259 and US-80 also see heavy truck traffic, particularly from oilfield operations, manufacturing, and agricultural shipments. With this volume of commercial traffic comes an increased risk of serious accidents.

Unlike car accidents, 18-wheeler crashes involve:
✅ Federal trucking regulations (FMCSA rules that trucking companies frequently violate)
✅ Multiple liable parties (driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, manufacturers, brokers)
✅ Higher insurance limits ($750,000 to $5 million, compared to $30,000 for passenger vehicles)
✅ Catastrophic injuries (TBI, spinal cord damage, amputations, wrongful death)
✅ Rapidly disappearing evidence (black box data, ELD logs, dashcam footage)

If you’ve been hurt in a trucking accident in Gregg County, you need an attorney who understands the unique challenges of these cases—and knows how to maximize your recovery.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Gregg County

Trucking accidents rarely happen by chance. In most cases, they’re caused by negligence—whether from the driver, the trucking company, or another party. Here are the most common causes we see in Gregg County:

1. Driver Fatigue (Hours of Service Violations)

Federal law limits how long truck drivers can operate without rest:

• 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-hour on-duty window (cannot drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty)
• 30-minute break required after 8 hours of driving
• 60/70-hour weekly limit (60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days)

Violations are alarmingly common. Trucking companies often pressure drivers to meet tight deadlines, leading to fatigued driving—a factor in 31% of fatal truck crashes.

How we prove fatigue:

• ELD (Electronic Logging Device) data (shows driving hours, breaks, and violations)
• Dispatch records (proves pressure to violate HOS rules)
• Black box data (shows erratic driving patterns before the crash)
• Cell phone records (reveals distractions that contributed to fatigue)

“The truck driver had been on the road for 14 hours straight. His ELD logs showed he falsified his records to hide the violation. That evidence helped us secure a $3.8 million settlement for our client.”
— Ralph Manginello, Managing Partner, Attorney911

2. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a leading cause of trucking accidents. Common distractions include:

• Texting or talking on a hand-held phone (illegal for commercial drivers)
• Using GPS or dispatch devices while driving
• Eating, drinking, or adjusting controls
• Looking at paperwork or maps

How we prove distraction:

• Cell phone records (shows calls, texts, or app usage at the time of the crash)
• Dashcam footage (if available)
• Witness statements (other drivers who saw the truck swerving or driving erratically)
• ECM data (shows sudden braking or steering inputs)

3. Improper Cargo Loading & Securement

When cargo isn’t properly secured, it can:

• Shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable and roll over
• Fall onto the roadway, creating hazards for other vehicles
• Overload the truck, making it harder to stop or maneuver

FMCSA cargo securement rules (49 CFR § 393.100-136) require:

• Cargo must be contained, immobilized, or secured to prevent movement
• Tiedowns must withstand 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g rearward, and 0.5g lateral
• Minimum tiedown requirements based on cargo length and weight

How we prove cargo violations:

• Cargo loading records (shows who loaded the truck and how)
• Bill of lading (documents cargo weight and type)
• Photos/videos of the crash scene (shows cargo spillage or shifting)
• Expert analysis (determines if securement met FMCSA standards)

4. Brake Failures & Poor Maintenance

Brake problems are a factor in 29% of large truck crashes. Common issues include:

• Worn brake pads or shoes
• Improper brake adjustments (too loose)
• Air brake system leaks or failures
• Overheated brakes (brake fade on long descents)
• Failure to conduct pre-trip inspections

FMCSA brake requirements (49 CFR § 393.40-55):

• All CMVs must have properly functioning service brakes
• Parking/emergency brake systems must be operational
• Brake adjustments must be maintained within specifications
• Annual inspections are mandatory

How we prove brake failures:

• Maintenance records (shows deferred repairs or ignored warnings)
• Post-crash brake inspection (reveals pre-existing defects)
• ECM data (shows brake application timing and effectiveness)
• Out-of-service inspection history (proves pattern of violations)

5. Tire Blowouts

Tire blowouts cause 11,000 crashes and 738 fatalities annually. Common causes include:

• Underinflated tires (causing overheating)
• Overloaded vehicles (exceeding tire capacity)
• Worn or aging tires (not replaced when needed)
• Road debris punctures
• Manufacturing defects

FMCSA tire requirements (49 CFR § 393.75):

• Minimum tread depth: 4/32″ on steer tires, 2/32″ on other positions
• No visible damage (cuts, bulges, exposed cords)
• Proper inflation (checked during pre-trip inspections)

How we prove tire failures:

• Failed tire remnants (for defect analysis)
• Tire purchase and replacement records
• Vehicle weight records (proves overloading)
• Pre-trip inspection reports (shows if driver ignored known issues)

6. Underride Collisions (Deadliest Truck Accidents)

Underride collisions occur when a passenger vehicle slides underneath a truck’s trailer, often shearing off the roof and causing decapitation or catastrophic head/neck injuries.

Types of underride crashes:

• Rear underride (vehicle strikes the back of a trailer)
• Side underride (vehicle impacts the side of a trailer during lane changes or turns)

FMCSA underride guard requirements (49 CFR § 393.86):

• Rear impact guards must be installed on trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998
• Guards must prevent underride at 30 mph impacts
• No federal requirement for side underride guards (though advocacy is ongoing)

How we prove underride violations:

• Underride guard inspection (checks for proper installation and condition)
• Crash dynamics analysis (determines if guard failed)
• Maintenance records (shows if guard was damaged or removed)
• Manufacturer liability (if guard was defectively designed)

“In one case, a family’s SUV slid under a trailer that had no rear guard. The result was fatal. We held the trucking company accountable for failing to install proper safety equipment—and secured a $9 million settlement.”
— Ralph Manginello

7. Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents occur when a truck’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic.

Common causes:

• Sudden or improper braking (especially on wet or icy roads)
• Speeding on curves or ramps
• Empty or lightly loaded trailers (more prone to swing)
• Improperly loaded cargo (shifting weight causes instability)
• Brake failures (prevents driver from stopping safely)

How we prove jackknife causes:

• Skid mark analysis (shows braking and trailer angle)
• ECM data (reveals speed and brake application)
• Cargo load records (proves improper securement)
• Weather reports (shows road conditions at the time of the crash)

8. Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play” Crashes)

Trucks need extra space to make turns, often swinging wide to the left before turning right. This creates a dangerous gap that smaller vehicles may try to enter—only to be crushed when the truck completes its turn.

Common causes:

• Failure to signal properly
• Improper mirror checks (missing vehicles in blind spots)
• Driver inexperience (not accounting for trailer tracking)
• Intersection design flaws (forcing wide turns)

How we prove wide turn negligence:

• Turn signal activation data (from ECM)
• Mirror condition and adjustment records
• Driver training records (proves inadequate instruction)
• Surveillance footage (from nearby businesses)

Who Is Liable in a Gregg County 18-Wheeler Accident?

In car accidents, liability usually falls on one driver. But in trucking accidents, multiple parties can be held responsible—and