Your Legal Emergency Lawyers in DeWitt County, Texas

When a sudden accident or an unexpected criminal charge turns your life upside down, you need more than just legal advice—you need immediate, aggressive, and professional help. We are Attorney911, your Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we are dedicated to protecting the injured and fighting for the rights of defendants across Texas, including here in the heart of DeWitt County.

Life in DeWitt County, with its rich agricultural heritage and vibrant community spirit, often moves at a steady pace. From the historic streets of Cuero to the open roads connecting our towns, residents value their way of life. However, even in our close-knit communities, legal emergencies can strike without warning. A serious car accident on a rural highway, an industrial incident, or an allegation that threatens your freedom can leave you feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and in desperate need of expert guidance.

That’s where we come in. At The Manginello Law Firm, operating as Attorney911, we stand ready to serve the hard-working individuals and families of DeWitt County. With over two decades of experience, deep insight into the intricacies of Texas law, and an unwavering commitment to our clients, we bring a level of expertise and dedication that is essential when your future is on the line. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, reinforcing our promise to you: immediate help, fast wins.

Navigating DeWitt County’s Legal Landscape

Understanding the local legal environment is crucial for effective representation. DeWitt County, while primarily rural, faces many of the same challenges as larger Texas counties, including vehicular accidents, workplace injuries, and criminal matters. Our familiarity with the Texas legal system, from state statutes to local court procedures, allows us to provide targeted and effective representation right here where you live.

We are proud to serve communities like Cuero, Yorktown, Nordheim, and other areas within DeWitt County. While our offices are strategically located in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our reach and commitment extend to every corner of Texas. We leverage technology, efficient processes, and a network of resources to ensure that our clients in DeWitt County receive the same high caliber of legal representation as those in our major metropolitan areas.

Our Core Belief: Justice for All Texans

Our firm was founded on a simple yet powerful principle: to ensure that people suffering from a legal emergency receive immediate, aggressive, and professional help from someone they can trust. Managing Partner Ralph Manginello, who moved to Texas at age five and grew up in Houston, has cultivated Attorney911 into a firm known for its tenacious advocacy and deep-rooted commitment to justice. He initiated Attorney911 driven by a passion for helping people through their most challenging times.

Joining Ralph is Associate Attorney Lupe Peña, a third-generation Texan who was born and raised near Sugar Land and has roots tied to the historic King Ranch. Lupe brings a unique and invaluable perspective to our firm, having spent several years working for a national defense firm. This experience gave him firsthand insight into how large insurance companies value claims and, critically, how they strategize to minimize payouts. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to fight tirelessly for victims, recovering millions for his clients in wrongful death, dram shop, trucking, and car accident cases. His fluency in Spanish further enhances our ability to serve Texas’ diverse population.

Together, we offer a dynamic blend of experience, insight, and aggressive representation that consistently delivers results. Whether you’re dealing with a complex personal injury claim or a serious criminal charge, we approach every case with the focus and determination it deserves, always keeping your best interests at heart.

Personal Injury: Protecting You When Accidents Happen

DeWitt County, situated in South Central Texas, sees a variety of traffic, agricultural, and industrial activity. While these activities contribute to our local economy, they also carry the inherent risk of accidents and injuries. When negligence leads to harm, we are here to help victims in DeWitt County seek maximum compensation.

Car Accidents in DeWitt County

Car accidents are an unfortunate reality, even on DeWitt County’s scenic backroads and thoroughfares, such as U.S. Highway 183 or State Highway 72. These incidents can range from minor fender-benders to devastating collisions, leaving victims with significant injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. In 2023, preliminary data shows that DeWitt County experienced 150 total crushes, with 2 fatalities and 5 serious injuries reported on its roads, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT, 2023). Many of these incidents occur on common routes like Highway 77 or FM 766, which are essential for daily commutes and agricultural transport.

Insurance companies, driven by profit, are notorious for minimizing customer compensation. Our team understands these tactics. We negotiate from a position of strength, utilizing our broad network of experts to build an unassailable case. If insurers refuse a fair offer, we are always prepared to take your case to trial. Our success in numerous cases, including those settling for millions, underscores our capability. In one instance, a client’s leg injury from a car accident led to infection and partial amputation; we secured a multi-million dollar settlement.

18-Wheeler & Big Rig Accidents on DeWitt County Roads

The presence of major highways through DeWitt County means our roads are regularly used by large commercial trucks. U.S. Highway 183, a key north-south route, and State Highway 72, which connects to industrial areas, are particularly active for commercial traffic. Such large vehicles, while vital for commerce, pose significant risks. Accidents involving 18-wheelers often result in catastrophic injuries due to their sheer size and weight.

These cases are inherently complex, involving intricate trucking regulations, interstate commerce laws, and commercial insurance policies. We are specialists in trucking and transportation law. Our team meticulously collects critical evidence, including truck maintenance records, driver logs, and cell phone data. We enlist experts in accident reconstruction and medical care to establish liability and document the full extent of your injuries. We have successfully recovered millions for families in trucking-related wrongful death cases, demonstrating our profound expertise in this specialized area.

Motorcycle Accidents Across DeWitt County

Motorcyclists enjoy the freedom of DeWitt County’s open roads but unfortunately face significant danger due to negligent drivers. Despite having equal rights on the road, motorcyclists often suffer severe injuries such as road rash, closed head injuries, spinal cord damage, limb loss, or wrongful death when accidents occur. “Drivers often claim that they did not see the motorcycle they struck,” but this is never an acceptable excuse. Motorists have a duty to be aware of their surroundings and control their vehicles at all times.

We aggressively pursue full and fair compensation for injured motorcyclists in DeWitt County, covering property damage, lost income, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. Our goal is to hold negligent drivers accountable and ensure our clients receive the resources needed for their recovery and future.

Offshore Injuries & Maritime Law

While DeWitt County is inland, many of its residents may work in Texas’ extensive offshore oil and gas industry or maritime sector along the Gulf Coast. If you are a deckhand, seaman, offshore worker, or rig hand injured on a vessel or offshore location, your rights are protected by specialized federal laws like the Jones Act, the Death on the High Seas Act, and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. These laws are complex, and navigating them requires highly specialized legal expertise.

We possess a deep understanding of maritime law and have successfully resolved numerous offshore injury cases, including securing significant cash settlements for clients like the worker who suffered a back injury due to a lack of assistance while lifting cargo. We advise speaking with an offshore accident attorney before settling any claim directly with an employer or insurance company, as our experts can help maximize your recovery.

Workers’ Compensation and Construction Accidents

DeWitt County’s economy includes agricultural, oil and gas, and construction sectors, all of which carry risks for workers. If you are injured on the job in Cuero, Yorktown, or any other DeWitt County community, the Texas workers’ compensation system can be complex and often unfair to injured employees. We guide clients through the process, ensuring benefits are protected and fighting back against wrongful denials.

Furthermore, on multi-company construction sites, a third party is often responsible for unsafe conditions. Texas law prevents you from suing your direct employer or a coworker, but you can file a personal injury claim against a negligent third party. These third-party claims can result in compensation above and beyond typical workers’ compensation benefits. We thoroughly investigate construction site accidents – such as those involving cranes, forklifts, falls from heights, or scaffolding collapses – to identify all liable parties and pursue maximum recovery for our clients.

Refinery & Plant Accidents and Toxic Tort Claims

While large-scale refineries like those in Texas City or along the Houston Ship Channel are not present directly within DeWitt County, residents may commute to or work at industrial plants in nearby regions. Our firm is one of the few in Texas involved in complex litigation following major events such as the BP Texas City explosion, an incident that tragically killed 15 and injured 180 (U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, 2007). This experience underscores our capability to challenge even the largest international industrial companies when their negligence leads to harm.

Beyond sudden accidents, exposure to toxic chemicals can cause lifelong injuries. These “toxic tort” claims, whether from water contamination, black mold, defective drugs, or chemical exposure, often present delayed symptoms and complex causation issues. We handle both individual and class action toxic tort claims, working with medical and scientific experts to link exposures to injuries and ensure our clients receive compensation for immediate and future costs.

Wrongful Death Claims

The sudden loss of a loved one due to another’s negligence is an unbearable tragedy. In DeWitt County, whether from a drunk driving crash, a motorcycle collision, an 18-wheeler accident, or medical malpractice, such losses leave families devastated and facing profound grief and financial strain. During such difficult times, our compassionate attorneys handle all legal aspects, allowing families to grieve without the added burden of legal complexities.

We work with economists and other experts to meticulously calculate all losses, from lost wages and future earning capacity to intangible damages like pain and suffering and loss of companionship. Prompt action is crucial to preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and protect the accident scene’s integrity.

Criminal Defense: Fighting for Your Rights and Freedom

Facing criminal charges in DeWitt County can be a frightening and isolating experience. The DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments diligently enforce the law, and accusations can quickly lead to an appearance in the DeWitt County Courthouse. Whether you are facing a misdemeanor in the Justice Court or a felony case in the 24th District Court, your future, freedom, and reputation are at stake. We are your dedicated allies, providing aggressive and professional defense for a full range of criminal charges.

DWI/DUI Defense in DeWitt County

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges are taken very seriously in Texas. A DWI accusation in DeWitt County can result in severe penalties, including driver’s license suspension, hefty fines, jail time, and a lasting criminal record. With several popular local establishments and rural roads, DWI checkpoints and arrests occur, and we are prepared to defend you at every step.

“We have handled hundreds of DUI/DWI cases” across Texas, employing diverse defense tactics to protect our clients’ rights. This includes preventing license suspensions, challenging field sobriety tests, and fighting charges even after breath test refusals. We’ve achieved dismissals due to improperly maintained breathalyzer machines, weaknesses in police procedures, or video evidence that contradicted an officer’s assessment. For example, we secured a dismissal for a client whose breath test was the primary evidence, by proving the machine was improperly maintained. Another client’s DWI charge was dismissed on the day of trial because the state’s video evidence didn’t show them to be intoxicated. Facing a DWI charge in DeWitt County requires an immediate and strategic defense.

Comprehensive Criminal Defense for DeWitt County Residents

Beyond DWI, we offer robust defense for a wide array of criminal cases in DeWitt County. We understand that an arrest, especially for drug possession, assault, or other serious offenses, can feel overwhelming. People often feel that law enforcement “has you where it wants you,” but a conviction is far from inevitable. Our expertise includes defending against charges of:

Drug Crimes: From marijuana possession to crystal meth trafficking and manufacturing. We have helped numerous individuals across Texas successfully fight and beat their drug charges. In one significant case, we secured deferred adjudication for a client who faced 5 to 99 years in jail, even after drugs were found through a warrantless entry; he faced no jail time and his charges were later dismissed by following court rules. We analyze every detail, from probable cause to illegal search and seizure, asserting constitutional challenges whenever applicable.
Assault Crimes: Including assault family violence and child abuse allegations.
Theft Crimes: From petty theft to serious fraud offenses.
Firearms Offenses: Protecting your Second Amendment rights.
Other Charges: Animal cruelty, elder abuse, expunctions, extortion, fake ID, hit and run, homicide, internet crimes, kidnapping, public intoxication, sexual assault, and vandalism.

We provide a free initial consultation, allowing us to review your case, explain the charges, and outline potential defense strategies. Our goal is to protect your rights, challenge questionable evidence, and secure the best possible outcome, whether that’s a dismissal, reduced charges, or an acquittal at trial.

Our Proven Track Record: Results Speak Louder Than Words

While we never promise specific results, our history of successful outcomes is a testament to our aggressive and professional approach. Our firm has achieved:

Multi-Million Dollar Settlements: For victims in logging accidents resulting in brain injury and vision loss, car accidents leading to partial amputation, tragic trucking-related wrongful death cases, and maritime injuries from unassisted cargo lifting.
Significant Case Victories: Our firm was among the few Texas firms involved in the complex BP Texas City explosion litigation, showcasing our ability to handle high-stakes industrial cases. We have also secured deferred adjudication in drug cases that initially carried decades-long prison sentences.
DWI Dismissals: Through meticulous investigation and aggressive defense, we have secured dismissals in numerous DWI cases by challenging breath test reliability, police procedure, and the interpretation of field sobriety tests.

Mary F., a grateful client, shared her experience: “After an 18 wheeler hit me, I was hurt, scared, and didn’t know what to do. After one phone call with Ralph, I knew everything was going to be OK.” This sentiment reflects our unwavering commitment to providing clear guidance and a strong hand to hold during your darkest hours.

Your Legal Emergency Starts Here: Contact Us Today

When a legal emergency strikes in DeWitt County, you need immediate, aggressive, and professional help. We are Attorney911, and we are ready to fight for you. Our commitment to securing justice for our clients throughout Texas is unwavering, and our dedication to your case begins the moment you contact us.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your personal injury claim or criminal defense matter. There’s no obligation, just an opportunity for us to understand your situation and for you to learn how we can help. Remember, we work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases – meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case.

Don’t face your legal emergency alone. Let our experience, insider knowledge, and proven track record work for you.

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