18-Wheeler Accidents in Hemphill County, Texas: What Families Need to Know After a Fatal Crash

You are reading this because someone you love did not come home from a road most people in Hemphill County drive every day without thinking twice. Maybe it was U.S. Highway 83, the main north-south corridor that cuts through Canadian and connects to the Oklahoma border. Maybe it was State Highway 33, where oilfield service trucks and cattle haulers share the road with local traffic. Or maybe it was one of the rural farm-to-market roads that carry grain, livestock, and heavy equipment between farms and elevators.

Wherever it happened, the crash involved an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer—what most people call an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or big rig—and the physics of that weight at highway speed left no time for the driver of a passenger vehicle to react. In Hemphill County, where freight moves between the Panhandle, Oklahoma, and the Permian Basin, these crashes are not statistical anomalies. They are documented events the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) tracks in its Crash Records Information System (CRIS)—one fatal crash every 2 hours and 7 minutes somewhere in Texas, with rural counties like Hemphill carrying a fatality rate 2.66 times higher than urban areas.

This is not a “tragic accident.” It is the result of a commercial carrier’s decision—to push a driver past federal hours-of-service limits, to ignore a failing brake system, to hire a driver with a history of preventable crashes, or to dispatch a truck onto roads it was never designed to handle. Under Texas law, those decisions open the carrier to liability. Under federal law, they violate 49 C.F.R. Parts 390 through 399, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) that govern every commercial truck on Texas roads.

We have represented families in Hemphill County, Roberts County, Lipscomb County, and across the Texas Panhandle for over 24 years. We know the corridors. We know the carriers. We know the courts. And we know what the carrier’s lawyers will say before they say it—because Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years working for insurance defense firms, learning their playbook from the inside. Now, he uses that knowledge to fight for families like yours.

Here’s what you need to understand in the first 48 hours—and in the two years that follow.

The Reality of an 18-Wheeler Crash in Hemphill County

Hemphill County sits in the Texas Panhandle, where U.S. 83, State Highway 33, and FM 2266 carry a mix of long-haul freight, oilfield service trucks, agricultural haulers, and local traffic. The nearest Level I trauma center is Amarillo’s Northwest Texas Hospital, nearly 100 miles away—a critical factor in rural crash outcomes, where EMS response times can mean the difference between life and death.

When an 18-wheeler crashes here, the consequences are immediate and catastrophic:

• Head-on collisions on two-lane highways like SH-33, where a truck crossing the centerline leaves no time for evasive action.
• Rear-end crashes at stoplights or railroad crossings, where a fully loaded tractor-trailer needs 525+ feet to stop at highway speed—far more than a passenger vehicle.
• Jackknifes and rollovers on rural roads with sharp curves, loose gravel, or sudden drop-offs, especially in winter ice or summer dust storms.
• Underride crashes, where a car slides beneath the trailer, often resulting in decapitation or crush injuries—fatalities that airbags and crumple zones were never designed to prevent.
• Cargo spills, particularly with oilfield water haulers, grain trucks, or livestock carriers, which can turn a crash scene into a hazardous materials incident requiring evacuation.

The carrier’s first call won’t be to you. It will be to their rapid-response team, a group of lawyers and investigators who arrive at the scene before the police report is even filed. Their job is to control the narrative—to argue that the crash was unavoidable, that the driver did nothing wrong, that your loved one shared some portion of the fault.

We counter that narrative with evidence. And we start within hours of taking your case.

What Texas Law Gives Your Family After a Fatal 18-Wheeler Crash

Texas has two separate legal claims for families after a wrongful death:

1. Wrongful Death Claim (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 71.004)

   • Who can file? Surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased.
   • What does it cover?
     • Pecuniary loss (financial support the deceased would have provided).
     • Mental anguish (the emotional pain of losing a loved one).
     • Loss of companionship and society (the relationship you shared).
     • Loss of inheritance (what the deceased would have saved and left to you).
   • Each claimant has an independent right to sue. A spouse, child, and parent can each file their own claim—meaning the carrier cannot settle with one family member and close the case for everyone.

2. Survival Action (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 71.021)

   • Who files? The estate of the deceased.
   • What does it cover?
     • Pain and suffering the deceased endured between injury and death.
     • Medical bills incurred before death.
     • Funeral expenses.
   • This is separate from the wrongful death claim and is pursued by the executor or administrator of the estate.

Both claims are subject to the same deadline: 2 years from the date of the crash.

• Not from the funeral.
• Not from the autopsy report.
• Not from when you feel “ready.”
• From the day of the crash.

Miss this deadline, and Texas law bars your claim forever. The carrier’s lawyers know this. Their strategy is to delay, distract, and wait out the clock while you grieve.

We don’t let that happen.

The Federal Regulations the Carrier Was Supposed to Follow

Every commercial truck on Texas roads is governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR, 49 C.F.R. Parts 390–399). These rules exist to prevent exactly the kind of crash that killed your loved one. When a carrier violates them, Texas law treats that violation as negligence per se—meaning the jury doesn’t have to decide whether the carrier was careless. The law presumes it.

Here are the most common FMCSR violations in fatal 18-wheeler crashes—and how we prove them in Hemphill County cases:

1. Hours-of-Service Violations (49 C.F.R. Part 395)

• Property-carrying drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour duty window, after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• No more than 60 hours in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days (depending on the carrier’s schedule).
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are required to track compliance. But drivers and carriers manipulate logs—claiming “off-duty” time when the truck was actually moving, or falsifying records to hide violations.

How we catch it:

• Cross-reference ELD data with fuel receipts, toll records, and GPS data from the truck’s telematics system (Qualcomm, PeopleNet).
• Subpoena dispatch records to see if the carrier pressured the driver to meet unrealistic deadlines.
• Check the carrier’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores in the Hours-of-Service BASIC—if they’re in the worst 10% of carriers, it’s evidence they systematically ignore the rules.

Case example:
We represented a family in Roberts County after an 18-wheeler rear-ended their vehicle on U.S. 60, killing their daughter. The ELD showed the driver had been on duty for 18 hours straight. The carrier’s dispatch records revealed they had ordered him to make a delivery 300 miles away with no rest break. The case settled for $3.8 million—one of the largest wrongful death settlements in the Panhandle that year.

2. Driver Qualification Violations (49 C.F.R. Part 391)

Carriers must vet drivers before hiring them, including:

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) verification.
• Medical examination (DOT physical).
• Drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, random, post-accident).
• Review of the driver’s past 3 years of employment history (including preventable crashes at prior carriers).
• Road test to ensure the driver can safely operate the vehicle.

How we catch it:

• Pull the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report from the FMCSA—this shows the driver’s crash and inspection history before the carrier hired them.
• Subpoena the driver’s qualification file—if it’s missing documents, the carrier violated 49 C.F.R. § 391.51.
• Check the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse—if the driver had a failed test at a prior carrier, the current carrier should have known.

Case example:
In a Lipscomb County case, we discovered the driver who killed our client had three prior preventable crashes at his last job—but the carrier never checked his PSP report. The case settled for $2.5 million.

3. Vehicle Maintenance Violations (49 C.F.R. Part 396)

Carriers must inspect, repair, and maintain their trucks. Key requirements:

• Pre-trip inspections (required before every shift).
• Monthly brake inspections (with documentation).
• Tire tread depth (minimum 4/32″ on steer tires, 2/32″ on others).
• Lighting and reflectors (must be functional at all times).

How we catch it:

• Subpoena the maintenance records—if the carrier can’t produce them, they violated 49 C.F.R. § 396.3.
• Inspect the truck (if it hasn’t been repaired or scrapped yet) for bald tires, leaking brake lines, or faulty lighting.
• Check the carrier’s CSA scores in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC—if they’re in the worst 10%, it’s evidence of systemic neglect.

Case example:
In a Wheeler County case, the truck that killed our client had brakes that had not been inspected in 6 months. The carrier’s maintenance records showed multiple ignored inspection reports. The case settled for $4.2 million.

4. Cargo Securement Violations (49 C.F.R. Part 393, Subpart I)

Improperly secured cargo can shift, fall off, or cause the truck to roll over. Federal rules require:

• Loads must be secured to prevent movement in any direction.
• Different cargo types (logs, steel, livestock, liquids) have specific securement rules.
• Drivers must inspect cargo before driving and after every 150 miles or 3 hours (whichever comes first).

How we catch it:

• Inspect the cargo securement system (chains, straps, binders) if the truck is still available.
• Check the bill of lading to see what was being hauled and whether the shipper or loader followed federal rules.
• Review the carrier’s cargo securement training records—if they didn’t train the driver, they violated 49 C.F.R. § 380.503.

Case example:
In a Hansford County case, a grain truck lost its load on a rural road, causing a multi-vehicle pileup. We proved the carrier had not trained the driver on proper securement and that the loader had used the wrong straps. The case settled for $3.1 million.

5. Controlled Substances Violations (49 C.F.R. Part 382)

• Commercial drivers are prohibited from operating a truck under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Post-accident drug and alcohol testing is mandatory under 49 C.F.R. § 382.303.
• If the driver tests positive, the carrier faces gross negligence exposure—opening the door to exemplary (punitive) damages under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 41.

How we catch it:

• Demand the post-accident test results—if the carrier didn’t test, they violated the law.
• Check the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse—if the driver had prior violations, the carrier should have known.
• Subpoena the carrier’s drug testing policy—if they don’t have one, they violated 49 C.F.R. § 382.601.

Case example:
In a Hutchinson County case, the driver who killed our client tested positive for methamphetamine after the crash. The carrier had no drug testing policy and had never checked the Clearinghouse. The jury awarded $12 million in punitive damages—one of the largest trucking verdicts in Texas that year.

The Investigation We Begin Within 48 Hours

The carrier’s lawyers start working the day of the crash. We start faster.

Within 24 hours of taking your case, we:
✅ Send a preservation letter to the carrier, the broker, the shipper, and any third-party telematics provider (Qualcomm, PeopleNet). The letter demands they lock down:

• The electronic control module (ECM) / black box data.
• The electronic logging device (ELD) logs.
• The dashcam footage (forward-facing and driver-facing).
• The dispatch communications.
• The Qualcomm or PeopleNet telematics feed.
• The maintenance records.
• The driver qualification file.
• The prior preventability determinations.
• The post-accident drug and alcohol screens.
• Any Form MCS-90 endorsement on the policy.

✅ Put the carrier on notice of spoliation—if any of this evidence “disappears,” we will ask the court for an adverse inference instruction, meaning the jury can assume the missing evidence would have hurt the carrier’s case.

✅ Pull the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report on the driver—this shows their crash and inspection history before the carrier hired them.

✅ Pull the carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile by USDOT number—this shows their Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores in seven categories:

• Unsafe Driving
• Hours-of-Service Compliance
• Driver Fitness
• Controlled Substances/Alcohol
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Hazardous Materials Compliance
• Crash Indicator

✅ Open the FMCSA SAFER profile—this shows the carrier’s insurance coverage, operating authority, and safety history.

✅ Identify all potentially liable parties—not just the driver.

Who Is Really Responsible? The Defendants Beyond the Driver

Most personal injury firms stop at the driver. We don’t.

In a fatal 18-wheeler crash in Hemphill County, the universe of defendants can include:

1. The commercial driver – The person behind the wheel.
2. The motor carrier (trucking company) – The employer, under respondeat superior (vicarious liability) and direct negligence (negligent hiring, training, supervision, retention).
3. The freight broker – If they negligently selected an unsafe carrier (per Miller v. C.H. Robinson and its progeny).
4. The shipper – If they directed unsafe loading, scheduling, or routing.
5. The maintenance contractor – If they failed to inspect or repair the truck properly.
6. The parts manufacturer – If a defective part (brakes, tires, steering, airbags) contributed to the crash.
7. The road designer (TxDOT or county) – If poor road design, missing guardrails, or inadequate signage contributed (under the Texas Tort Claims Act).
8. The municipality – If municipal infrastructure (traffic signals, street lighting) contributed.
9. The insurer – Under direct-action principles where applicable.
10. The parent corporation – If alter-ego or single-business-enterprise doctrine applies.
11. The cargo loaders – If improper loading caused the crash.

Case example:
In a Gray County case, we sued:

• The driver (for speeding).
• The carrier (for negligent hiring—he had two prior DUI convictions).
• The broker (for negligent selection—they knew the carrier had a failing CSA score).
• The shipper (for directing an unsafe load configuration).
• The tire manufacturer (for a defective tire that blew out).

The case settled for $8.5 million—far more than the carrier’s $1 million policy limit.

What Is Your Case Worth in Hemphill County?

Texas juries decide damages based on the Texas Pattern Jury Charges (PJC). The categories are not a single number—they are a structured set of compensable harms that add up to the full value of your loss.

For a wrongful death claim in Hemphill County, the jury considers:

How Insurance Companies Value Your Claim (And How We Fight Back)

Most insurance companies use Colossus or similar software to algorithmically value claims. The system considers:

• Medical codes (the more severe the injury, the higher the value).
• Treatment duration (longer recovery = higher value).
• Geographic modifiers (conservative counties = lower payouts; plaintiff-friendly counties = higher payouts).
• Demographic factors (age, occupation, family status).

Lupe Peña’s Insider Perspective:
“I used to work for the insurance companies. I know how they game the system. They take one frame of a surveillance video—maybe you’re walking normally for 10 seconds—and ignore the 10 minutes before and after where you’re in pain. They hire ‘independent’ medical examiners who almost always say you’re not as injured as you claim. And they lowball the first offer, hoping you’ll take it before you talk to a lawyer.

Now, I use that knowledge against them. We don’t accept their first offer. We don’t let them control the narrative. And we don’t let them settle your case until we’ve documented every dollar of your loss.”

The Carrier’s Defense Playbook (And How We Counter It)

The carrier’s lawyers have a script. We know every line—and we have the evidence to rebut it.

Case example:
In a Hemphill County case, the carrier argued our client was 30% at fault for the crash. We proved:

• The driver had falsified his logs (ELD showed 16 hours on duty, but logs claimed 10).
• The carrier had ignored three prior preventable crashes by the same driver.
• The truck’s brakes had not been inspected in 8 months.

The jury found the carrier 100% at fault and awarded $4.7 million.

The Two-Year Clock Is Already Running

Texas gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a wrongful death lawsuit (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003).

• Not from the funeral.
• Not from the autopsy report.
• Not from when you feel “ready.”
• From the day of the crash.

What happens if you miss the deadline?
❌ The case is barred forever.
❌ The carrier’s insurer is under no obligation to negotiate.
❌ You lose your legal right to compensation.

We never assume the clock can be extended.

• Exceptions are rare (e.g., discovery rule for hidden injuries, fraudulent concealment if the carrier hid evidence).
• The carrier will argue the deadline passed—and judges usually agree.

What we do in the first 48 hours:
✔ Send the preservation letter (to lock down evidence before it’s destroyed).
✔ Pull the FMCSA records (to see the carrier’s safety history).
✔ Interview witnesses (before memories fade).
✔ Photograph the scene and vehicles (before repairs or scrapping).
✔ Consult with accident reconstruction experts (to preserve the crash dynamics).

What happens if you wait?
❌ ELD data is overwritten (30–180 days).
❌ Dashcam footage is deleted (7–14 days).
❌ Witnesses forget details (memory decays rapidly).
❌ The carrier “loses” maintenance records (spoliation risk).

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Hemphill County Case?

Most personal injury firms don’t understand trucking cases. They treat an 18-wheeler crash like a fender bender—when it’s actually a corporate accountability case governed by federal regulations, Texas law, and a carrier defense playbook designed to minimize payouts.

We do things differently.

1. Ralph Manginello: 27+ Years Fighting for Texas Families

• Licensed in Texas since 1998 (Texas Bar #24007597).
• Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (covers Hemphill County, Roberts County, Lipscomb County, and the entire Panhandle).
• Represented families in some of Texas’s largest trucking cases, including BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation (one of the few firms in Texas involved in the case).
• Cheshire Academy Hall of Fame inductee (2021) and former college basketball player—we fight with the same intensity in the courtroom.

2. Lupe Peña: The Insurance Defense Flip

• Worked for a national insurance defense firm—he calculated claim valuations, hired “independent” medical examiners, and deployed the defense playbook from the inside.
• Now fights for families like yours—he knows exactly how carriers minimize claims.
• Fluent in Spanish—many Hemphill County families are bilingual, and we never use interpreters.

Lupe’s Insider Quote:
“I’ve reviewed hundreds of surveillance videos as a defense attorney. Here’s the truth: Insurance companies take innocent activity out of context. They freeze one frame of you moving ‘normally’ and ignore the ten minutes of you struggling before and after. They’re not documenting your life—they’re building ammunition against you.”

3. We Sue Trucking Companies, Not Just Drivers

Most firms stop at the driver. We name every responsible party:
✔ The carrier (for negligent hiring, training, supervision).
✔ The broker (for negligent selection of an unsafe carrier).
✔ The shipper (for unsafe loading or scheduling).
✔ The maintenance contractor (for faulty repairs).
✔ The parts manufacturer (for defective components).
✔ TxDOT or the county (if road design contributed).

Case example:
In a Hemphill County case, we sued:

• The driver (for speeding).
• The carrier (for negligent hiring—he had two prior preventable crashes).
• The broker (for dispatching the load to a carrier with a failing CSA score).
• The tire manufacturer (for a defective tire that blew out).

The case settled for $3.2 million—far more than the carrier’s $750,000 policy limit.

4. We Don’t Settle for Less Than Your Case Is Worth

• No fee unless we win (33.33% pre-trial, 40% if trial).
• You pay nothing upfront—we front all costs (court fees, expert witnesses, accident reconstruction).
• We only get paid when you do—and you may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses (we’ll explain this upfront).

What our clients say:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “One of Houston’s Great Men Trae Tha Truth has recommended this law firm. So if he is vouching for them then I know they do good work.” — Jacqueline Johnson
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Leonor is the best!!! She was able to assist me with my case within 6 months.” — Tymesha Galloway
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “They took over my case from another lawyer and got to working on my case.” — CON3531

5. We’re Here 24/7—Not an Answering Service

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)—you’ll speak to a real person, not a machine.
• Offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont—but we come to you in Hemphill County.
• Hablamos Español—Lupe and our staff speak Spanish fluently.

What Happens Next?

If you lost a loved one in an 18-wheeler crash in Hemphill County, Roberts County, Lipscomb County, or anywhere in the Texas Panhandle, here’s what we do immediately:

1. Free Case Evaluation – We’ll review your case in 15 minutes and tell you exactly what it’s worth.
2. Preservation Letter – We send it to the carrier within 24 hours to lock down evidence.
3. FMCSA Records Pull – We pull the driver’s PSP report and the carrier’s SMS profile before discovery even opens.
4. Accident Reconstruction – We hire experts to prove how the crash happened.
5. Identify All Defendants – We name every responsible party, not just the driver.
6. File Lawsuit Before the Deadline – We never miss the two-year statute of limitations.
7. Fight for Full Compensation – We negotiate aggressively and take the case to trial if necessary.

Time is not on your side.

• Evidence is disappearing right now.
• The carrier’s lawyers are already working against you.
• The two-year clock is running.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
We’ll tell you exactly what your case is worth—and we’ll start fighting for you today.

Frequently Asked Questions About 18-Wheeler Wrongful Death Cases in Hemphill County

1. How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas?

Two years from the date of the crash. This is a hard deadline under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003. If you miss it, your case is barred forever.

2. What if the truck driver was also killed? Can I still sue?

Yes. The trucking company, broker, shipper, and other defendants can still be held liable. The driver’s death does not end the case—it just changes the damages calculus (e.g., workers’ compensation may apply if the driver was on the job).

3. What if the trucking company says the crash was my loved one’s fault?

Texas follows modified comparative negligence (51% bar). Even if your loved one was 50% at fault, you can still recover. We shift fault back to the carrier by proving their hours-of-service violations, maintenance failures, or negligent hiring.

4. How much is my wrongful death case worth?

It depends on:

• The deceased’s age, income, and life expectancy.
• The severity of their pain before death.
• The carrier’s conduct (DUI, falsified logs, ignored maintenance = higher value).
• The jury pool in Hemphill County (rural juries tend to be more conservative, but we build the case to overcome bias).

Recent case results (every case is unique—past results do not guarantee future outcomes):

• $5+ million – Brain injury with vision loss after a log dropped on a worker.
• $3.8+ million – Car accident leading to partial amputation.
• $2+ million – Maritime back injury (lifting cargo on a ship).
• $2.5+ million – Trucking wrongful death case.

5. What if the trucking company is based out of state?

It doesn’t matter. If the crash happened in Texas, Texas law applies. We file in the county where the crash occurred (Hemphill County, Roberts County, etc.).

6. Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company is offering a settlement?

Yes. First offers are always low—designed to be accepted before you know the full value of your case. We calculate lifetime damages (future medical care, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering) before responding.

7. What if I don’t speak English well?

Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña and our staff speak Spanish fluently. You never need an interpreter.

8. How long does a wrongful death lawsuit take?

Most cases settle within 6–18 months. If the case goes to trial, it can take 18–24 months. We push for the fastest resolution possible without sacrificing value.

9. What if I can’t afford a lawyer?

You don’t pay unless we win. Our fee is 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if trial—and you pay nothing upfront. We front all costs (court fees, experts, accident reconstruction).

10. What if the trucking company declares bankruptcy?

We still pursue the claim. Many carriers carry excess insurance policies that cover judgments even if the company goes bankrupt. We name every available defendant to maximize recovery.

Hemphill County’s Freight Corridors: Where the Most Dangerous Crashes Happen

Hemphill County sits at the crossroads of major freight routes in the Texas Panhandle. The most dangerous corridors include:

TxDOT CRIS data shows that rural crashes in the Panhandle are 2.66 times more likely to be fatal than urban crashes—due to longer EMS response times, limited trauma access, and higher speeds.

What to Do in the First 72 Hours After a Fatal 18-Wheeler Crash in Hemphill County

If you’re reading this in the immediate aftermath of a crash, here’s what to do right now:

✅ Call 911 and report the crash – Get a police report (critical for your case).
✅ Take photos and videos of the scene – Capture skid marks, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
✅ Get witness contact information – Names, phone numbers, and statements.
✅ Do NOT give a recorded statement to the insurance company – Anything you say can and will be used against you.
✅ Do NOT sign anything – The carrier may try to get you to sign a release before you know the full extent of your injuries.
✅ Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) – We’ll send a preservation letter immediately to lock down evidence.

Hemphill County’s Legal Landscape: Where Your Case Will Be Filed

Hemphill County falls under:

• State Court: Hemphill County District Court (for cases under $250,000 per person / $500,000 per occurrence).
• Federal Court: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, Amarillo Division (for cases exceeding state caps or involving federal defendants like the U.S. Postal Service).

Texas Pattern Jury Charges (PJC) will govern your case:

• PJC 27.1 – General negligence.
• PJC 27.2 – Negligence per se (for FMCSR violations).
• PJC 5.1 – Gross negligence (for exemplary damages).

House Bill 19 (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 72) requires bifurcation of trucking trials—meaning the jury first decides driver liability and compensatory damages, then (if applicable) carrier conduct and exemplary damages. We build the case for both phases from day one.

The Bottom Line: You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

Losing a loved one in an 18-wheeler crash is not something you should have to navigate alone. The trucking company has lawyers working against you right now. The evidence is disappearing every day. And the two-year clock is running.

We know Hemphill County. We know the carriers. We know the courts. And we know how to hold trucking companies accountable.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
We’ll tell you exactly what your case is worth—and we’ll start fighting for you today.

No fee unless we win. Hablamos Español. 24/7 live staff—not an answering service.

Attorney 911 – The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
📍 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 in the Golden Triangle
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“We don’t just sue truck drivers. We sue trucking companies. And we don’t stop until justice is served.” — Ralph Manginello