18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Jones County, Texas

Fighting for Trucking Accident Victims on Jones County’s Highways

Every year, hundreds of families in Jones County and across West Texas experience life-changing injuries from 18-wheeler accidents. When an 80,000-pound truck collides with your sedan on US-83, US-180, or the local roads around Anson, Hamlin, or Stamford, the consequences can be catastrophic. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable for the devastation they cause on Jones County’s highways.

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for trucking accident victims throughout Texas. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we’re never far from Jones County – and we’re ready to fight for you.

Why Jones County Trucking Accidents Are Different

Jones County sits at a critical juncture of West Texas trucking corridors. US-83 and US-180 intersect here, creating a freight crossroads that connects the Permian Basin oil fields to distribution centers across Texas. The trucks you see every day hauling oilfield equipment, agricultural products, and consumer goods are subject to the same federal safety regulations – but far too often, we find Jones County trucking companies cutting corners.

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System shows that Jones County experiences more than its share of trucking accidents. These aren’t just statistics – they’re families like yours whose lives are forever changed by preventable crashes.

Common 18-Wheeler Accident Types in Jones County

Jackknife Accidents on US-83 and US-180

The long straight stretches of US-83 and US-180 may look safe, but they’re prime locations for jackknife accidents. When a truck driver brakes suddenly – whether to avoid a deer, navigate a curve, or react to traffic – the trailer can swing out of control, creating a deadly barrier across multiple lanes. We’ve seen these accidents cause massive pileups, especially during the early morning hours when visibility is low and drivers are fatigued.

Rollover Accidents at Highway Intersections

The intersections where US-83 meets US-180 and where these highways connect to local roads are hotspots for rollover accidents. Trucks taking turns too fast or with improperly secured loads can tip over, crushing vehicles in adjacent lanes. The high winds that sweep across Jones County’s open plains make these rollovers even more likely.

Underride Collisions on Rural Roads

Jones County’s network of rural roads presents unique dangers. When trucks turn onto these roads from highways or stop suddenly at intersections, passenger vehicles can slide underneath the trailer. These underride accidents are among the deadliest we see – often resulting in decapitation or catastrophic head injuries.

Rear-End Collisions at Highway Entrances

The entrance ramps to US-83 and US-180 are particularly dangerous. Trucks entering the highway often misjudge their speed or fail to account for the massive stopping distance required by fully loaded 18-wheelers. When they rear-end vehicles already on the highway, the results are devastating.

Wide Turn Accidents in Anson, Hamlin, and Stamford

The tight turns in Jones County’s towns create perfect conditions for wide turn accidents. Trucks swinging wide to make right turns often cut off vehicles in adjacent lanes. We’ve seen these accidents cause severe injuries to both drivers and pedestrians in our communities.

The Jones County Trucking Corridors We Know

At Attorney911, we understand Jones County’s unique trucking landscape:

• US-83 Corridor: This north-south route carries heavy truck traffic between the oil fields of the Permian Basin and distribution centers throughout Texas. The long straight stretches encourage speeding, while the rural nature means limited emergency response.

• US-180 Corridor: Running east-west, this highway connects Jones County to major markets. The mix of local and long-haul truck traffic creates dangerous conditions, especially at intersections.

• Local Roads: The county’s network of rural roads sees significant truck traffic serving agricultural operations, oilfield services, and local businesses. These roads often lack proper signage and lighting.

• Seasonal Variations: Jones County’s trucking patterns change with the seasons – increased agricultural trucking during harvest, oilfield equipment transport year-round, and seasonal goods during holidays.

Why Trucking Companies Cut Corners in Jones County

Jones County’s remote location and the pressure to keep freight moving create conditions where safety violations flourish:

1. Long Hauls: Drivers passing through Jones County are often nearing their hours-of-service limits, leading to fatigue violations.

2. Maintenance Delays: Trucks traveling through rural West Texas often skip proper maintenance to meet delivery deadlines.

3. Cargo Securement: The agricultural and oilfield products common in Jones County require specialized securement that many drivers ignore.

4. Speeding: The long, straight highways encourage speeding to make up time.

5. Distraction: Drivers use cell phones and in-cab electronics to combat boredom on long hauls.

The Catastrophic Injuries We See in Jones County Trucking Cases

The physics of 18-wheeler accidents make catastrophic injuries inevitable:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: The force of a truck collision often causes the brain to impact the inside of the skull, resulting in concussions, memory loss, cognitive impairment, and permanent disability.

• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can cause paralysis – either paraplegia (loss of function below the waist) or quadriplegia (loss of function in all four limbs).

• Amputations: Crushing injuries or severe burns often require surgical amputation of limbs.

• Severe Burns: Fuel tank ruptures and hazmat cargo spills can cause third-degree burns requiring skin grafts and multiple surgeries.

• Internal Organ Damage: The force of impact can rupture organs, causing internal bleeding that may not be immediately apparent.

• Wrongful Death: Tragically, many Jones County trucking accidents result in fatalities. When a loved one is killed by a negligent truck driver, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death claims.

How We Prove Trucking Company Negligence in Jones County

Our Jones County trucking accident cases are built on proving FMCSA violations. These federal regulations are designed to keep our highways safe, and when trucking companies violate them, they create the conditions that lead to catastrophic accidents.

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395)

Fatigue is a leading cause of trucking accidents. FMCSA regulations limit how long drivers can operate:

• 11-Hour Driving Limit: Drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• 14-Hour On-Duty Window: Drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
• 30-Minute Break: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
• 60/70-Hour Weekly Limit: Drivers cannot drive after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.

We’ve seen Jones County trucking companies pressure drivers to violate these rules to meet delivery deadlines. When fatigue leads to accidents, both the driver and the company are liable.

Driver Qualification Violations (49 CFR Part 391)

Trucking companies must ensure their drivers are qualified:

• Driver Qualification File: Companies must maintain files showing drivers have valid CDLs, medical certificates, and clean driving records.
• Background Checks: Companies must verify employment history and driving records.
• Medical Certification: Drivers must pass physical exams every two years.

When we investigate Jones County trucking accidents, we often find companies that failed to properly vet drivers or ignored red flags in their records.

Vehicle Maintenance Violations (49 CFR Part 396)

Trucks must be maintained in safe operating condition:

• Pre-Trip Inspections: Drivers must inspect their vehicles before every trip.
• Annual Inspections: Vehicles must pass comprehensive annual inspections.
• Maintenance Records: Companies must keep records of all repairs and maintenance.

We’ve seen Jones County trucking companies defer maintenance to save money, leading to brake failures, tire blowouts, and other equipment failures that cause accidents.

Cargo Securement Violations (49 CFR Part 393)

Improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing rollovers or spilling onto the highway:

• Tiedown Requirements: Loads must be secured with appropriate tiedowns based on weight and type.
• Load Distribution: Cargo must be properly distributed to maintain vehicle stability.
• Special Requirements: Different types of cargo (logs, steel coils, machinery) have specific securement requirements.

The agricultural and oilfield products common in Jones County require specialized securement that many drivers ignore.

The Evidence We Preserve in Jones County Trucking Cases

Evidence in trucking cases disappears quickly. We act immediately to preserve:

• ECM/Black Box Data: These electronic systems record speed, braking, throttle position, and other critical data that can prove violations.

• ELD Records: Electronic Logging Devices record hours of service, proving fatigue violations.

• Driver Qualification Files: These files show whether the driver was properly vetted and qualified.

• Maintenance Records: These records reveal deferred maintenance and known defects.

• Drug and Alcohol Tests: These tests can prove impairment at the time of the accident.

• Cell Phone Records: These records can prove distracted driving.

• Dashcam Footage: Video evidence can show exactly what happened.

We send spoliation letters immediately to preserve this evidence before it’s destroyed.

The Multi-Million Dollar Results We’ve Achieved

At Attorney911, we’ve secured significant recoveries for trucking accident victims:

• $5+ Million – Logging brain injury settlement
• $3.8+ Million – Car accident amputation settlement
• $2.5+ Million – Truck crash recovery
• $2+ Million – Maritime back injury settlement
• Millions recovered for families in trucking-related wrongful death cases

These results demonstrate our ability to hold trucking companies accountable for their negligence.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Jones County Trucking Case

1. 25+ Years of Experience: Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998.

2. Insurance Defense Advantage: Our associate attorney Lupe Peña worked for a national insurance defense firm before joining us. He knows exactly how insurance companies evaluate and minimize claims.

3. Federal Court Experience: We’re admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, giving us the ability to handle interstate trucking cases.

4. Multi-Million Dollar Results: We’ve secured significant verdicts and settlements for trucking accident victims.

5. Local Knowledge: We understand Jones County’s trucking corridors, courts, and juries.

6. Spanish-Language Services: Hablamos Español. Our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff.

7. No Fee Unless We Win: You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Jones County

If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident in Jones County:

1. Call 911 and report the accident.
2. Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine.
3. Document the scene with photos and video if possible.
4. Get the trucking company’s information, including the DOT number.
5. Collect witness contact information.
6. Do NOT give recorded statements to any insurance company.
7. Call Attorney911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Evidence in trucking cases disappears quickly. The sooner you call us, the stronger your case will be.

The Jones County Trucking Companies We’ve Held Accountable

We’ve taken on major trucking companies and won:

• Walmart trucking operations
• Coca-Cola distribution vehicles
• Amazon delivery trucks
• FedEx trucks
• UPS trucks
• Various commercial trucking companies

These companies have teams of lawyers working to protect them. You deserve the same level of representation.

Jones County’s Statute of Limitations

In Texas, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, you should never wait. Evidence disappears quickly in trucking cases, and the sooner we start investigating, the stronger your case will be.

Jones County’s Comparative Negligence Rule

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means:

• If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault.
• If you’re 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.

Even if you think you might be partially at fault, call us. We investigate thoroughly to prove what really happened.

Fighting for Jones County Families

At Attorney911, we treat our clients like family. We understand the devastation that trucking accidents cause – the physical pain, the emotional trauma, the financial hardship. We fight aggressively to hold trucking companies accountable and secure the compensation our clients deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Jones County, call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

“They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
— Glenda Walker, Attorney911 Client

“You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
— Chad Harris, Attorney911 Client

Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Call Attorney911 today.