When an 80,000-pound monster rolls through Liberty County and Changes Everything
It happens fast. Too fast. One moment you’re driving through Liberty County on your way to work, dropping the kids at school, or just heading home along I-95. The next moment, a massive 18-wheeler changes your life forever.
If you’re reading this from a hospital room in Savannah, or you’re trying to figure out how to pay the bills piling up on your kitchen table in Hinesville, or you’re mourning the loss of a loved one who never made it home through the Port of Savannah corridor—you’re in the right place. We understand what you’re facing, and we know exactly how to fight for you.
At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years standing up to trucking companies and the insurance giants that protect them. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner since 1998, has built a reputation as one of the fiercest advocates for trucking accident victims in Georgia and across the Southeast. With federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas and a track record that includes taking on the world’s largest corporations—like BP in the Texas City Refinery explosion litigation—we bring Fortune 500-level experience to your corner when you need it most.
But more importantly, we bring something else: empathy. We know that behind every trucking accident is a family in crisis. A parent who can’t work. A child who needs constant care. A future that looked very different just yesterday.
As client Chad Harris told us after we settled his case, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” That’s exactly how we treat every person who calls our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont—and every family we represent here in Georgia’s Liberty County.
And here’s your advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, used to work for insurance companies. He defended them. He learned their playbook from the inside. Now he fights against them, using that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery and expose every tactic they use to minimize your claim.
The truth is, trucking accidents in Liberty County aren’t just another type of car crash. They’re complex, high-stakes cases involving federal regulations, massive insurance policies, and corporate defendants who will move heaven and earth to avoid responsibility. You need more than a general practice lawyer. You need a team that understands the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA), the specific trucking corridors serving Georgia’s port system, and how to hold every liable party—from the driver to the cargo owner to the broker—accountable.
Here’s what you need to know right now. Evidence is disappearing. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. ELD logs can be altered. The trucking company has already dispatched its rapid-response team to the scene. They’re building their defense. The question is: who’s building yours?
Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7. We speak Spanish—Hablamos Español with Lupe Peña. And you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Why Liberty County 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different
Let’s be clear about the physics involved. Your car weighs roughly 3,500 to 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That’s not a collision—that’s a catastrophe waiting to happen.
Here in Liberty County, we’re uniquely positioned at the intersection of major freight corridors. I-95 runs right past our communities, connecting Florida to the Northeast, carrying millions of tons of cargo annually. I-16 connects this corridor to Savannah, the fourth busiest container port in the United States and the fastest-growing major port in the country. When you add in the military traffic from Fort Stewart and the petrochemical freight moving through the region, our highways see some of the heaviest commercial vehicle traffic in the Southeast.
This isn’t just about volume—it’s about risk. The Georgia Department of Transportation data shows that Liberty County’s position along these freight corridors creates specific dangers. We’re talking about jackknife accidents on wet pavement during Georgia’s sudden afternoon thunderstorms. We’re talking about brake failures on the long descents. We’re talking about fatigued truckers pushing through the final miles to reach the Port of Savannah before deadline.
And the injuries reflect this severity. We’re not talking about fender-benders. We’re talking about traumatic brain injuries that require lifelong care. Spinal cord injuries that result in paralysis. Amputations that change how a person lives every single day. Wrongful death cases that leave families without their primary breadwinner.
Our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for victims just like these. We’re talking $1.5 million to $9.8 million for traumatic brain injury cases. $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation victims. $1.9 million to $9.5 million for families who lost loved ones in fatal trucking accidents. And while every case is different—past results don’t guarantee future outcomes—these numbers show what’s possible when you have a team that knows how to build a bulletproof case.
Georgia’s Two-Year Clock is Already Ticking
If you’re in Liberty County, Georgia law gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, you also have two years from the date of death. That might sound like a long time, but in the world of trucking litigation, it’s barely enough.
Because here’s the reality: every day that passes is a day that evidence gets harder to find. Witnesses move away or their memories fade. The truck gets repaired and put back on the road, destroying physical evidence. And most critically, electronic data—the black box information that can prove exactly what happened—gets overwritten or deleted.
We can’t stress this enough. If you’ve been in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Liberty County—from Hinesville to Walthourville to the rural stretches of Highway 17—you need to act now. Not next week. Not after you’ve tried to deal with the insurance company yourself. Now.
When you call Attorney911 at 888-ATTY-911, we immediately dispatch preservation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and anyone else who might have evidence. We demand they preserve the Electronic Control Module (ECM) data, the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records, the driver’s qualification file, maintenance records—everything. Once that letter hits their desk, they’re legally obligated to preserve that evidence. If they destroy it after receiving our letter, courts can sanction them, infer the evidence was against them, or even enter a default judgment.
This is why it matters that Lupe Peña worked on the defense side. He knows exactly what evidence trucking companies try to hide, and he knows exactly how to stop them from hiding it. As he says, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
Understanding Georgia’s Negligence Rules
Georgia follows a “modified comparative negligence” standard with a 50% bar. This is crucial for your case. It means you can recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault for the accident. If you’re found 30% responsible, you can still recover 70% of your damages. But if you’re found 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
Trucking companies and their insurers know this rule, and they’ll do everything they can to shift blame onto you. They’ll claim you were speeding. They’ll say you were in their blind spot. They’ll argue you didn’t give them enough room to make that wide turn.
That’s where the evidence comes in. The ECM data doesn’t lie. The ELD logs show whether the driver was violating Hours of Service regulations. The dashcam footage reveals what really happened. And our accident reconstruction experts can prove that the truck driver—and not you—was the one who caused this crash.
We recently represented a client who was told by one firm that they wouldn’t take her case because she was partially at fault. Another company said they would not accept my case. Then she got a call from Attorney911. We investigated, found the evidence, and secured a significant settlement. As client Donald Wilcox put it, “I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”
Don’t let an insurance adjuster tell you that you don’t have a case because you might have been partially responsible. In Georgia, even if you share some fault, you may still be entitled to substantial compensation. But you need a team that knows how to prove the truck driver was primarily responsible.
The FMCSA Regulations That Trucking Companies Break
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules for commercial trucking. These aren’t suggestions—they’re federal laws. And when trucking companies break them, they pay.
Here are the critical regulations we see violated in Liberty County accidents:
49 CFR Part 395 – Hours of Service (HOS): The most commonly violated rule. Property-carrying drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They cannot be on duty beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. And they can’t exceed 60 or 70 hours on duty over 7 or 8 days respectively.
When drivers violate these rules—and they do, constantly—they’re driving while fatigued. An 18-wheeler traveling at 65 mph needs nearly two football fields to stop. A tired driver can’t react in time.
49 CFR Part 391 – Driver Qualification: Trucking companies must maintain a Driver Qualification File for every driver. This includes their driving record, medical certification, drug test results, and verification that they have a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). If a company hired a driver with a history of violations—or failed to check their background at all—that’s negligent hiring, and they’re liable.
49 CFR Part 392 – Safe Driving: This covers everything from speeding to following too closely to using a handheld mobile phone while driving. Under 49 CFR § 392.80 and § 392.82, commercial drivers cannot text or use hand-held phones while driving. Period.
49 CFR Part 393 – Vehicle Safety and Cargo Securement: This covers brake systems, lighting, and cargo securement. Improperly loaded cargo shifts the center of gravity and causes rollovers. Worn brakes can’t stop 80,000 pounds in time. Under 49 CFR § 393.100-136, cargo must be contained, immobilized, or secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling.
49 CFR Part 396 – Inspection and Maintenance: Drivers must conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections. Companies must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. If they skipped maintenance to save money—what we often find—they’re liable.
In our current major litigation, the $10 million University of Houston hazing lawsuit (filed November 2025), we’re applying the same aggressive investigation techniques we use in trucking cases: preserving electronic evidence, demanding documents, and holding institutions accountable for negligence. Whether it’s a fraternity hazing case or an 18-wheeler crash, the principle is the same—if they knew or should have known, they’re responsible.
The Ten Liable Parties Who Can Pay
Most people think you can only sue the truck driver. That’s exactly what the trucking companies want you to think. In reality, multiple parties often share the blame, and each may carry separate insurance coverage. More defendants mean more insurance pools, which means better chances of full compensation for your injuries.
1. The Truck Driver: For negligent driving, fatigued operation, distracted driving, or impaired driving.
2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): Under respondeat superior (vicarious liability), employers are responsible for their employees’ actions. Plus, they can be directly liable for negligent hiring, negligent training, negligent supervision, or negligent maintenance.
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If they required unsafe loading, demanded the driver violate hours-of-service rules to meet a deadline, or failed to disclose hazardous cargo.
4. The Cargo Loading Company: Third-party loaders often secure the cargo. If they failed to properly brace, block, or tie down the load, they’re liable under 49 CFR Part 393.
5. The Truck Manufacturer: If a design defect in the brake system, stability control, or fuel tank placement contributed to the accident or severity of injuries.
6. The Parts Manufacturer: Defective tires, brakes, or steering components often cause crashes. We litigate these product liability claims regularly.
7. The Maintenance Company: Third-party mechanics who negligently repaired or failed to repair critical safety systems.
8. The Freight Broker: Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligent carrier selection—hiring a trucking company with a poor safety record or inadequate insurance.
9. The Truck Owner: In owner-operator arrangements where the driver doesn’t own the truck, the owner may be liable for negligent entrustment.
10. Government Entities: In rare cases, if dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or poor maintenance contributed to the crash.
We recently settled a case for a client who lost his leg after a car accident followed by staph infection—securing over $3.8 million. As client Kiimarii Yup told us, “I lost everything… my car was at a total loss, and because of Attorney Manginello and my case worker Leonor, 1 year later I have gained so much in return.” That’s the difference between accepting the first lowball offer and having a team that investigates every possible source of recovery.
The Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We See in Liberty County
Jackknife Accidents: When the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often blocking multiple lanes of I-95 or I-16. Common causes include sudden braking on wet roads (common in Georgia’s humid climate), improper braking technique, or empty trailers that lack weight over the drive axles.
Rollovers: The high center of gravity in 18-wheelers makes them prone to tipping, especially on the curves and interchanges around Liberty County. Speeding on ramps, improperly distributed liquid cargo that sloshes during turns, or overcorrection after a tire blowout can all cause rollovers.
Underride Collisions: Perhaps the most horrific type of crash, where a passenger vehicle slides under the trailer. Rear underride happens when a truck stops suddenly; side underride occurs when the truck changes lanes or turns. While 49 CFR § 393.86 requires rear impact guards on newer trailers, these guards often fail, and side underride guards aren’t federally mandated yet. These accidents are frequently fatal, causing decapitation or catastrophic head trauma.
Rear-End Collisions: A loaded truck needs 40% more stopping distance than a car. If the driver is distracted, fatigued, or speeding, they slam into stopped traffic. Given the congestion on I-95 near Savannah and Hinesville, these are common and devastating.
Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”): Trucks need to swing left before making a right turn. Unsuspecting drivers in Liberty County often enter this gap, thinking the truck is changing lanes, only to be crushed when the truck completes its turn.
Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have massive “No-Zones”—areas where the driver cannot see you. The right-side blind spot is particularly large and dangerous. Under 49 CFR § 393.80, trucks must have proper mirrors, but driver inattention often leads to lane-change crashes.
Tire Blowouts: Georgia’s heat in summer months and heavy freight loads cause tire failures. When a steer tire blows, the driver often loses control immediately, sending 80,000 pounds into oncoming lanes. Under 49 CFR § 393.75, tires must have adequate tread depth, and drivers must inspect them daily.
Brake Failure: Accounting for 29% of truck crashes, brake failures often result from deferred maintenance. The trucking company hoped to save a few hundred dollars on brake service; instead, they caused a tragedy. Under 49 CFR § 396.3 and § 396.11, systematic inspection and maintenance is required.
Cargo Spills: Improperly secured cargo falls onto Georgia highways, creating hazards for everyone behind the truck. This violates 49 CFR § 393.100-136 regarding cargo securement.
Head-On Collisions: When fatigued or distracted drivers drift across the center line, usually on two-lane highways like Highway 17 in rural Liberty County.
The Catastrophic Injuries That Change Lives
We don’t use the word “catastrophic” lightly. These are injuries that prevent you from ever returning to your normal life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): From concussions to severe brain damage. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, chronic headaches, and cognitive deficits. Our TBI settlements range from $1.5 million to $9.8 million because these cases require lifelong care.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Paraplegia or quadriplegia requiring wheelchairs, home modifications, and 24/7 assistance. Spinal cord injury settlements in our experience range from $4.7 million to $25.8 million due to the astronomical lifetime care costs.
Amputations: Whether traumatic (severed at the scene) or surgical (due to crushing injuries), losing a limb changes everything. Settlements range from $1.9 million to $8.6 million, covering prosthetics, rehabilitation, and lost earning capacity.
Severe Burns: Often from fuel fires or hazmat spills. Third and fourth-degree burns require skin grafts, multiple surgeries, and leave permanent disfigurement.
Internal Organ Damage: Liver lacerations, spleen ruptures, and internal bleeding can be life-threatening and may not show symptoms immediately. Always get checked after an accident.
Wrongful Death: When a trucking accident takes a loved one, Georgia law allows surviving family members to recover for lost income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, funeral expenses, and in some cases, punitive damages. Our wrongful death recoveries range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.
As client Glenda Walker said, “They make you feel like family and even though the process may take some time, they make it feel like a breeze. They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s exactly what we do—fight for every dime you deserve, whether it’s for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or the loss of a loved one’s guidance and support.
The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol
If you’ve been in an 18-wheeler accident in Liberty County, here’s your immediate action plan:
Today, within hours:
- Photograph everything. The vehicles, the scene, your injuries, the road conditions, skid marks, debris.
- Get witness information. Names, phone numbers—witnesses leave the scene and disappear.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance.
- Call Attorney911 at (888) 288-9911.
Within 48 hours:
- We send spoliation letters to preserve:
- ECM/Black Box data (speed, braking, throttle position)
- ELD data (hours of service violations)
- Driver Qualification Files (CDL status, medical cards, drug tests)
- Maintenance records
- Dispatch records
- GPS data
- Dashcam footage
This week:
- Get medical treatment, even for “minor” injuries. Adrenaline masks pain.
- Keep a pain journal documenting how the injuries affect your daily life.
- Save all receipts and documentation.
Why the urgency? Because under FMCSA regulations, motor carriers only have to keep hours-of-service records for six months. Driver qualification files must be kept for three years after employment ends. But the ECM data—the black box—can be overwritten in as little as 30 days, sometimes sooner if the truck continues operating.
The trucking company isn’t waiting. They’re already working to minimize your claim. You need someone working just as hard for you.
Insurance Coverage: Why Trucking Cases Are Worth More
Federal law requires trucking companies to carry substantial liability insurance:
- $750,000 minimum for non-hazardous freight
- $1,000,000 for oil, equipment, or motor vehicles
- $5,000,000 for hazardous materials
Compare that to Georgia’s minimum auto insurance for passenger cars—just $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury. When a trucking accident causes catastrophic injuries, there’s actually insurance money available to cover the damages, unlike many car accident cases.
But accessing that money requires knowing how to navigate commercial insurance policies, MCS-90 endorsements, and excess coverage. It requires understanding when the broker’s policy applies versus the carrier’s policy. It requires knowing how to stack policies when multiple defendants are involved.
This is why the “nuclear verdicts” you’re hearing about—verdicts of $10 million, $20 million, even $100 million—happen in trucking cases. When a jury sees that a trucking company knowingly put a dangerous driver on the road, or falsified log books, or skipped maintenance to save money, they’re willing to award massive damages to send a message.
We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which firms are willing to go to court, and they offer better settlements to those firms. With our federal court experience and track record—including our work on the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation where we went toe-to-toe with one of the world’s largest corporations—the insurance companies know we mean business.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liberty County Trucking Accidents
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Georgia?
Two years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims. Two years from the date of death for wrongful death claims. But don’t wait—evidence disappears fast.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still receive substantial compensation.
How much is my case worth?
It depends on the severity of injuries, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. Trucking companies carry $750,000 to $5 million in coverage. Catastrophic injury cases often settle for millions.
Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Preparation creates leverage for better settlements.
How do I pay for a lawyer?
We work on contingency. No upfront costs. You pay nothing unless we win. Standard fee is 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial.
Can I sue if my loved one was killed by a truck?
Yes. Georgia wrongful death law allows recovery for lost income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor, not an employee?
We can still pursue the trucking company under various legal theories, plus the driver personally. We investigate all possible defendants.
Do you handle cases for Spanish-speaking clients in Liberty County?
Yes. Hablamos Español. Attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters.
Your Next Step: Call Attorney911 Today
If you’ve made it this far, you understand what’s at stake. You understand that trucking companies have teams of lawyers. You understand that evidence is disappearing. And you understand that you need a fighter.
Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 are ready to fight for you. We’ve recovered over $50 million for clients across Texas and the Southeast. We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, and we regularly represent clients throughout Georgia, including Liberty County.
We know the courts in Georgia. We know the trucking routes. And we know how to win.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. That’s 1-888-288-9911. Or call our direct line at (713) 528-9070.
The consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win. And we’re available 24/7 because we know accidents don’t happen on business hours.
Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. As client Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
Let us fight for you. Call now.
