The impact was catastrophic. One moment you’re driving through the rolling hills of northeastern Kentucky on I-64, and the next, 80,000 pounds of steel is bearing down on you with nowhere to go. In Lewis County, where the interstates cut through rural terrain and logging trucks share narrow highways with passenger vehicles, 18-wheeler accidents don’t just happen—they devastate.
We’re Attorney911, and we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims across Kentucky and beyond. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been standing up to trucking companies since 1998, recovering multi-million dollar settlements for families whose lives changed in an instant. When a semi-truck changes everything, you need more than a lawyer—you need a team that understands the federal regulations, the local roads, and exactly how to make negligent trucking companies pay.
Why Lewis County 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different
Lewis County sits at the crossroads of major freight corridors in northeastern Kentucky. I-64 cuts through the county, carrying transcontinental freight from St. Louis to Lexington and beyond. US-23 and US-60 serve as vital arteries for regional commerce. But here’s what makes trucking in Lewis County particularly dangerous: you’re dealing with rural highway conditions, steep terrain, and the constant mix of local traffic with long-haul trucks pushing tight deadlines.
The physics are brutal. A fully loaded tractor-trailer weighs up to 80,000 pounds—twenty times the weight of your average sedan. When these trucks travel through Lewis County’s winding roads or down the grades near the Ohio River, they can’t stop on a dime. At 65 mph, an 18-wheeler needs nearly two football fields to come to a complete stop. On I-64 near Vanceburg or along the Kinniconick Creek, that distance becomes a death sentence when a distracted or fatigued driver loses control.
Kentucky law gives you just one year from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. That’s the shortest timeframe in America, matched only by Louisiana. Wait too long, and your right to compensation disappears forever—regardless of how catastrophic your injuries might be. This isn’t just a legal deadline; it’s a ticking clock that makes immediate action absolutely critical.
Who We Are: The Attorney911 Advantage
When Ralph Manginello founded this firm over two decades ago, he made a decision that defines us today: we don’t just handle cases—we treat clients like family. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
That family-first approach has led to remarkable results. We’ve recovered over $50 million for injury victims, including a $5 million settlement for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log, and $3.8 million for a client who suffered a partial leg amputation after a car accident led to staph infections. In trucking cases specifically, we’ve secured $2.5 million for crash victims facing catastrophic injuries.
But here’s what really sets us apart when you’re facing a trucking company in Lewis County: our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, used to work for insurance companies. He spent years inside the system, watching adjusters minimize claims and learning exactly how carriers try to avoid paying what victims deserve. Now he fights against them. That’s your advantage. When the trucking company’s insurer calls with a lowball offer, Lupe knows their playbook because he helped write it. He knows when they’re bluffing, what their settlement formulas look like, and exactly how to counter every delay tactic they throw at us.
We’re admitted to federal court in the Southern District of Texas, which means we can handle interstate trucking cases that cross state lines—critical when your accident involves a carrier from another jurisdiction traveling through Lewis County. And with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we bring the resources of a major firm while maintaining the personal attention you deserve.
Understanding the Federal Regulations That Protect You
Every 18-wheeler operating in Lewis County must comply with strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These aren’t just guidelines—they’re laws written in blood after decades of preventable tragedies. When trucking companies violate these rules, they create lethal conditions on Kentucky highways.
Hours of Service (49 CFR Part 395) is perhaps the most critical—and most frequently violated—regulation. Truck drivers cannot operate beyond 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They can’t drive past the 14th hour of their duty window. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of cumulative driving time. And they’re limited to either 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days, requiring a 34-hour reset.
Yet time and again, we see Lewis County accident victims harmed by drivers who’ve exceeded these limits. The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate requires trucks to record this data automatically, but that information can be overwritten in as little as 30 days. If we don’t act fast to preserve it, evidence of the driver’s fatigue disappears forever.
Driver Qualification Standards (49 CFR Part 391) require trucking companies to verify that every driver holds a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), has passed a medical examination, and has been properly trained. Companies must maintain Driver Qualification Files containing background checks, previous employment verification, and drug test results. When a Lewis County accident involves an unqualified driver—someone with a suspended CDL, a history of DUIs, or inadequate training—the trucking company can be held liable for negligent hiring.
Vehicle Safety and Cargo Securement (49 CFR Part 393) mandates proper loading and equipment maintenance. Cargo must be secured to withstand forces of 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g rearward, and 0.5g laterally. Brake systems must be inspected daily and maintained according to federal standards. Tire tread depth must meet minimum requirements—4/32 inch on steer tires and 2/32 inch on other positions.
In the hills around Lewis County, where braking systems face constant strain on downgrades, these maintenance failures become deadly. A truck with worn brakes or improperly secured logging cargo becomes a runaway projectile that no driver can control.
Inspection and Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396) requires systematic upkeep of all commercial vehicles. Motor carriers must keep maintenance records for at least 12 months, documenting every repair, inspection, and out-of-service order. These records often reveal a pattern of deferred maintenance—brakes that were “adjusted” instead of replaced, tires that were patched instead of replaced, inspections that were pencil-whipped rather than actually performed.
The Catastrophic Accident Types We Handle in Lewis County
Jackknife Accidents
On I-64 through Lewis County, when a truck driver brakes too hard or hits a slick patch, the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, blocking multiple lanes of traffic. These jackknife accidents account for roughly 10% of all trucking fatalities. The trailer’s sweep creates a devastating wedge that crushes anything in its path—often causing multi-vehicle pileups in the narrow corridors near the Ohio River.
We investigate whether the driver violated 49 CFR § 392.6 by exceeding safe speeds for conditions, or whether 49 CFR § 393.48 regarding brake system maintenance was ignored. The skid marks and ECM data tell the story that the driver might not want to share.
Rollover Accidents
The terrain around Lewis County isn’t flat. When trucks take curves too fast—especially on the rural routes connecting to US-23—or when cargo shifts suddenly, these 80,000-pound vehicles tip onto their sides or roofs. Rollovers frequently lead to secondary crashes as cargo spills across lanes, and fuel leaks create fire hazards.
Approximately 50% of rollover crashes result from failure to adjust speed on curves. We examine cargo securement compliance under 49 CFR §§ 393.100-136, looking for inadequate tiedowns, unbalanced loads, or liquid cargo “slosh” that changed the center of gravity.
Underride Collisions
Perhaps the most horrifying accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer of an 18-wheeler. Rear underride guards are mandatory under 49 CFR § 393.86, but many are poorly maintained or defective. Side underride guards aren’t federally required yet, though advocacy efforts continue. When a car strikes the side of a trailer at an intersection in Lewis County—perhaps at the junction of I-64 and local routes—the top of the passenger compartment can be sheared off, causing decapitation or catastrophic head trauma.
These accidents are almost always fatal. We immediately subpoena maintenance records to determine if the rear impact guard was properly installed and maintained.
Rear-End Collisions
A loaded truck needs 525 feet to stop from 65 mph—40% more distance than a passenger car requires. When distracted, fatigued, or speeding truck drivers follow too closely on I-64 through Lewis County, they can’t stop in time when traffic slows. The resulting impacts cause devastating whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage.
These cases often involve violations of 49 CFR § 392.11 (following too closely) or 49 CFR § 392.3 (operating while fatigued). We download ECM data to prove the driver failed to brake appropriately and subpoena ELD records to expose hours-of-service violations.
Tire Blowouts
The heat of Kentucky summers and the heavy loads on I-64 create perfect conditions for tire failures. When a steer tire blows on an 18-wheeler, the driver often loses immediate control. “Road gators”—strips of shredded tire—litter the highways around Lewis County, causing secondary accidents when passenger vehicles swerve to avoid them.
We investigate maintenance records under 49 CFR § 393.75 and inspection compliance under 49 CFR § 396.13 to determine if the trucking company allowed bald or defective tires to remain in service.
Brake Failure Accidents
Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes. In the hills around Lewis County, where trucks descend steep grades toward the Ohio River, brake fade and overheating are constant threats. When companies defer maintenance to save money, the result is catastrophic brake failure at the worst possible moment.
These cases require immediate spoliation letters to preserve maintenance records, brake inspection reports, and the physical components themselves for expert analysis.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Lewis County Trucking Accident?
Unlike car accidents where usually only one driver is at fault, 18-wheeler crashes involve a web of potentially liable parties. We investigate every angle to maximize your recovery under Kentucky’s pure comparative fault system—which means even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
The Truck Driver may be liable for speeding, distracted driving (violating 49 CFR § 392.82 by using a hand-held mobile phone), fatigued operation, or impairment. We subpoena cell phone records, ELD data, and drug/alcohol test results to prove direct negligence.
The Trucking Company faces vicarious liability under the doctrine of respondeat superior—employers are responsible for employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment. Additionally, we pursue direct negligence claims for negligent hiring (failing to verify CDL status or driving history), negligent training (inadequate safety instruction), negligent supervision (ignoring HOS violations), and negligent maintenance (deferring critical repairs).
The Cargo Owner and Loading Company may be liable when improperly secured freight causes a rollover or spill. Under 49 CFR Part 393, loaders must ensure cargo can withstand specific force thresholds. When logging trucks or freight haulers drop loads on Lewis County highways, the loading company often shares blame.
The Truck or Parts Manufacturer faces product liability claims when defective brakes, tires, or steering components cause crashes. We preserve failed components for expert analysis and research recall histories through NHTSA databases.
The Maintenance Company that performed negligent repairs—adjusting brakes that should have been replaced, using substandard parts, or failing to identify critical safety issues—can be held liable for their shoddy work.
The Freight Broker who arranged transportation may be liable for negligent selection of carriers—choosing a company with poor safety ratings or inadequate insurance to cut costs.
Government Entities may share liability when dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or poor maintenance contributes to accidents. However, Kentucky sovereign immunity laws create strict notice requirements and damage caps for claims against state or local government.
The 48-Hour Evidence Protocol: Why Time Is Critical
In Kentucky, you have just one year to file your lawsuit. But waiting even a month can destroy your case.
Trucking companies deploy “rapid response teams” to accident scenes within hours—sometimes before the ambulance even leaves. Their goal is simple: protect the company, not help the victim. They photograph the scene from angles that minimize their driver’s fault, collect witness statements before memories fade, and begin building a defense designed to pay you nothing.
Meanwhile, critical evidence disappears:
- ECM/Black Box Data can be overwritten in 30 days or with subsequent ignition cycles
- ELD Logs only required to be retained for 6 months
- Dashcam Footage often deleted within 7-14 days if not preserved
- Surveillance Video from nearby businesses typically overwrites in 7-30 days
- Driver Qualification Files may be “updated” to hide previous violations
- Maintenance Records can be altered or “lost”
That’s why we send spoliation letters immediately—within 24 hours of being retained. These legal notices put the trucking company on notice that they must preserve all evidence or face severe sanctions, including adverse jury instructions or default judgment.
We demand preservation of:
- All ECM, ELD, and telematics data
- Driver Qualification Files and employment records
- Six months of Hours of Service records
- Maintenance and inspection logs
- Cell phone records and dispatch communications
- Dashcam and surveillance footage
- The physical truck and trailer before repairs
If the trucking company destroys evidence after receiving our letter, courts can instruct the jury to assume the destroyed evidence was unfavorable to the defense. This threat alone often forces preservation.
Catastrophic Injuries and Your Future
The sheer physics of 18-wheeler collisions means injuries aren’t minor—they’re life-changing. We’ve represented Lewis County victims suffering from:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) ranging from mild concussions to severe cognitive impairment. These injuries affect memory, concentration, mood, and personality. They often require lifetime care costing between $85,000 and $3 million. Our $5 million settlement for a TBI victim demonstrates what’s possible when we fight for full compensation.
Spinal Cord Injuries causing paraplegia or quadriplegia. The lifetime care costs for quadriplegia can exceed $5 million—not including lost wages or pain and suffering. These victims need home modifications, specialized vehicles, 24/7 attendant care, and ongoing medical treatment.
Amputations, whether traumatic (occurring at the scene) or surgical (required due to crushing injuries or infection). Our $3.8 million settlement for a client who lost a limb after medical complications shows how we account for prosthetic costs, rehabilitation, and loss of earning capacity.
Wrongful Death claims when trucking accidents claim lives. Kentucky law allows surviving spouses, children, and parents to recover for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. As client Glenda Walker told us after we resolved her case, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Insurance Coverage and What Your Case Is Worth
Federal law requires trucking companies to carry substantial liability insurance:
- $750,000 minimum for general freight
- $1 million for oil transport and large equipment
- $5 million for hazardous materials
Many carriers carry $1-5 million in coverage, significantly more than the $30,000 minimum required for passenger vehicles in Kentucky. But accessing these funds requires knowing how to navigate federal trucking regulations and proving violations.
Economic damages include all calculable losses: medical bills (past and future), lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.
Kentucky is one of the few states with no caps on damages in trucking cases. Unlike some jurisdictions that limit non-economic or punitive damages, Kentucky juries can award full compensation for your losses—including substantial sums for pain and suffering when the trucking company acted recklessly.
What To Do Immediately After a Lewis County Trucking Accident
If you’re able to act after the crash:
- Call 911 and ensure police file a report—required under Kentucky law if injuries or property damage exceed $500
- Seek immediate medical attention—even if you feel fine; adrenaline masks serious injuries
- Document everything—photograph all vehicles, the scene, your injuries, and get witness contact information
- Get the truck’s DOT number—this is crucial for identifying the carrier and their insurance
- Do NOT give recorded statements to any insurance company without counsel
- Call Attorney911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 or 1-888-288-9911
Remember, insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim. As our client Donald Wilcox learned, “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.” The difference was having someone who knew how to fight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Kentucky?
You have one year from the date of your accident. This is one of the shortest deadlines in America. In Lewis County, we recommend contacting an attorney within days, not months, to preserve critical evidence.
What if I was partially at fault?
Kentucky follows pure comparative fault. You can recover damages even if you were 99% at fault—though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Don’t let the trucking company convince you that you have no case.
How much is my case worth?
Every case is unique. Factors include injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and the trucking company’s degree of negligence. We’ve recovered millions for catastrophic injury cases, but we need to evaluate your specific situation. Call 888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
Will my case go to trial?
Most settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to court. Insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to try cases—and they pay more to avoid facing us in front of a Lewis County jury.
How much does it cost to hire an attorney?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—33.33% pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs. As client Kiimarii Yup shared, “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”
Do you handle cases other firms rejected?
Absolutely. Client Greg Garcia told us, “In the beginning I had another attorney but he dropped my case although Mangiello law firm were able to help me out.” We specialize in difficult cases that require aggressive litigation.
Why Trucking Companies Fear Us
We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations, including BP in the Texas City Refinery explosion litigation that resulted in over $2.1 billion in total industry settlements. We know how corporate defendants operate—their delay tactics, their document dumps, their attempts to hide behind shell companies and insurance layers.
When you hire Attorney911, you get a team that includes Lupe Peña, who knows the insurance defense playbook because he used to run those plays. Ralph Manginello brings 25 years of federal court experience and a track record of multi-million dollar verdicts. And you get the attention you deserve—client Ernest Cano noted that we “will fight tooth and nail for you.”
We handle cases against major carriers including Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and Coca-Cola. These companies have teams of lawyers. You deserve the same level of representation.
Your Fight Starts Now
The trucking company is already building their defense. Their lawyers are reviewing the accident report. Their adjusters are calculating the lowest offer you’ll accept.
What are you doing?
In Lewis County, where the roads wind through Kentucky’s beautiful but dangerous terrain, you need an advocate who understands both the federal regulations governing interstate commerce and the local conditions that make trucking here particularly hazardous.
You deserve someone who treats you like family, fights for every dime, and isn’t afraid to take on the largest trucking companies in America. You deserve Attorney911.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win. And we can have a spoliation letter to the trucking company within hours, preserving the evidence that proves your case.
Don’t wait for the one-year deadline to sneak up on you. Don’t let critical evidence disappear. Your recovery—and your family’s future—depends on acting fast.
1-888-288-9911. We’re waiting to fight for you.
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para hablar con Lupe Peña sobre su accidente de camión en Lewis County.
Attorney911—because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with ruining lives.
