18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana

When an 80,000-Pound Truck Changes Your Life in an Instant

You’re driving down I-20 through Lincoln Parish, maybe heading toward Ruston or coming back from Monroe, when suddenly everything changes. An 18-wheeler swings into your lane, or a fatigued driver misses a red light, or a tire blowout sends 80,000 pounds of steel hurtling toward your vehicle. In that split second, your family’s future hangs in the balance.

We know what you’re going through. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims right here in North Louisiana. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been holding trucking companies accountable since 1998. He brings federal court experience—admitted to the Southern District of Texas—and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours across the I-20 corridor.

The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. They have rapid-response teams that arrive before the ambulance does. What are you doing to protect yourself?

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The clock started ticking the moment that truck hit you. Critical evidence can disappear in 48 hours. Black box data gets overwritten in 30 days. Don’t let them win.

Why Lincoln Parish 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different

Lincoln Parish sits along one of America’s busiest freight corridors. Interstate 20 slices right through our community, carrying thousands of commercial trucks daily between Shreveport and Monroe, connecting Texas to the Port of South Louisiana. Our location puts us at the crossroads of major petrochemical traffic, agricultural shipping, and cross-country freight.

But here’s what makes 18-wheeler accidents in Lincoln Parish particularly devastating: we see a unique mix of dangers. We’ve got the long-haul truckers pushing through from Dallas to New Orleans, exhausted after 10 hours on the road. We’ve got the tanker trucks hauling hazardous materials to and from the refineries. And we’ve got our fair share of sudden Gulf Coast thunderstorms that turn I-20 into a skating rink for trucks that aren’t properly maintained.

The statistics are sobering. Every year, thousands of commercial truck crashes occur across Louisiana. On the 1,800-plus miles of interstate highways serving our state—including the stretch of I-20 that runs right through Lincoln Parish—truck drivers routinely violate federal safety regulations meant to protect you. When they do, it’s families in Lincoln Parish who pay the price.

Ralph Manginello has seen this pattern for over two decades. Our firm’s associate attorney, Lupe Peña, used to work inside the insurance industry. He defended trucking companies for years before joining us. Now he brings that insider knowledge to fight for you. He knows exactly how insurers evaluate claims, where they hide coverage, and every trick they use to minimize payouts. That’s your advantage when you call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Louisiana’s One-Year Deadline: The Clock Is Ticking

Here’s something critical you need to know about your Lincoln Parish truck accident case: Louisiana gives you just one year to file a lawsuit. That’s the shortest statute of limitations in the nation—tied only with Kentucky. Wait one year and one day, and you lose your right to sue forever. No matter how serious your injuries. No matter how clearly the truck driver was at fault.

One year sounds like a long time until you realize how much work needs to happen before filing. We need to preserve evidence immediately. We need to download the truck’s black box data before it gets overwritten. We need to subpoena driver logs that show hours-of-service violations. We need to examine the truck’s maintenance records before they’re “lost.” And we need to investigate whether the trucking company has a pattern of putting dangerous drivers on the road.

All of that takes time. And while you’re recovering from surgery, trying to relearn how to walk, or grieving a loved one, the trucking company is building their defense.

Our advice? Call us within 48 hours. We’ve handled cases across North Louisiana, from Grambling to Dubach to Choudrant, and we know the local courts. We know the judges in the Third Judicial District Court. We understand how pure comparative negligence works in Louisiana—you can recover even if you were partially at fault, though your damages get reduced by your percentage of blame.

Don’t gamble with your family’s future. Call 888-ATTY-911 today. The consultation is free, and we work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

The Federal Regulations That Protect You

Every 18-wheeler operating in Lincoln Parish must follow strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These aren’t suggestions—they’re federal law. When trucking companies break these rules, we use those violations to prove negligence and maximize your recovery.

Hours of Service: The 11-Hour Rule

Under 49 CFR § 395.3, property-carrying drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They can’t drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, and they must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving time.

Fatigue causes approximately 31% of fatal truck crashes. When we download the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data from the truck that hit you, we often find drivers who logged “off-duty” while actually driving, or dispatchers who pressured them to meet impossible deadlines. Those violations prove the trucking company put profit over your safety.

Driver Qualification: Who’s Behind the Wheel?

49 CFR Part 391 establishes minimum standards for commercial drivers. Before a trucking company lets someone operate an 80,000-pound vehicle through Lincoln Parish, they must:

• Verify the driver has a valid CDL
• Conduct a thorough background check including three years of driving history
• Ensure the driver passes a DOT physical exam every two years
• Maintain a complete Driver Qualification File

We subpoena these files in every case. Often, we discover trucking companies hired drivers with suspended licenses, failed drug tests, or histories of reckless driving. That’s not just negligence—that’s gross negligence that can support punitive damages.

Vehicle Safety and Maintenance

49 CFR § 396.3 requires trucking companies to “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain” their vehicles. 49 CFR § 393 mandates working brakes, proper lighting, and secure cargo.

Brake problems contribute to roughly 29% of truck crashes. When we inspect the truck that hit you—or demand their maintenance records—we frequently find deferred repairs, worn brake pads, and out-of-service violations that were ignored. In Louisiana’s humid climate, brake lines corrode faster. Tires degrade quicker in our heat. These maintenance failures kill people.

Cargo Securement: Keeping Loads in Place

Under 49 CFR § 393.100, cargo must be contained, immobilized, or secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling from the vehicle. The rules specify:

• Aggregate working load limits must be at least 50% of cargo weight
• Specific tiedown requirements based on cargo length
• Blocking, bracing, and friction mats for heavy loads

Given Lincoln Parish’s role in shipping goods to and from the Port of South Louisiana, we see countless cases involving improperly secured cargo. When a load shifts on I-20, the driver loses control. When pipes or equipment fall onto the highway, they create deadly obstacles for other motorists.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

49 CFR Part 382 requires immediate post-accident drug and alcohol testing for drivers involved in fatal crashes or those receiving citations for moving violations. Commercial drivers cannot operate with a blood alcohol content of .04 or higher—half the limit for regular drivers.

We’ve seen cases where trucking companies “lost” the drug test results or failed to conduct testing within the required 32-hour window. Those failures give us powerful evidence of systemic safety violations.

The 15 Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle

Not all truck accidents are the same. Each type involves different mechanics, different liable parties, and different legal strategies. Here are the accidents we see most frequently on Lincoln Parish roads:

Jackknife Accidents on I-20

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, folding like a pocket knife. On the long straightaways of I-20 through Lincoln Parish, drivers often get complacent. Then sudden braking—maybe for a deer near the Ouachita Parish line or traffic slowing near the Ruston exits—causes the trailer to swing out.

Jackknives often block multiple lanes, causing multi-vehicle pileups. The physics are simple: when a driver slams the brakes, the trailer’s momentum carries it forward while the cab slows. If the truck was speeding—violating 49 CFR § 392.6—or if the brakes were poorly maintained under 49 CFR § 393.40, we can prove negligence.

Underride Collisions: The Most Deadly

When a smaller vehicle strikes the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath, the top of the passenger compartment gets sheared off. These underride collisions account for hundreds of deaths annually. 49 CFR § 393.86 requires rear impact guards on trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998—but those guards often fail in crashes, and there’s no federal requirement for side underride guards.

If your loved one suffered catastrophic head or neck trauma in an underride crash with a truck on Highway 33 or the I-20 frontage roads, we investigate whether the guards were defective, missing, or improperly maintained.

Rear-End Collisions: The Physics of 80,000 Pounds

An 18-wheeler needs approximately 525 feet—nearly two football fields—to stop from 65 mph. That’s 40% more distance than a passenger vehicle needs. When a truck driver follows too closely under 49 CFR § 392.11, or drives while distracted by a cell phone in violation of 49 CFR § 392.82, the results are devastating.

We see these crashes often on the eastbound side of I-20 near the Grambling exit, where traffic backs up during university events. Distracted truckers plow into stopped vehicles at highway speeds.

Wide Turn Accidents in Downtown Ruston

“Right turn squeeze play” accidents happen when a truck swings left before making a right turn, creating a gap that drivers think they can enter. Then the trailer cuts back right, crushing the vehicle. These occur frequently in downtown Ruston near the historic district, where narrow streets force wide turns.

Trucking companies must train drivers on proper turning procedures. When they don’t, and a cyclist or motorist gets crushed between the trailer and a building, we hold them accountable.

Blind Spot Accidents: The No-Zone

18-wheelers have massive blind spots—20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, and extensive areas along both sides, particularly on the right. 49 CFR § 393.80 requires adequate mirrors, but many trucks lack the modern camera systems that could prevent these crashes.

We handle cases where truckers merged directly into passenger vehicles on I-20 without checking their blind spots, causing sideswipe collisions that push cars off the road.

Tire Blowouts and “Road Gators”

In Louisiana’s heat, truck tires overheat. When a tire blows, the driver often loses control, or the flying tire debris strikes following vehicles. Under 49 CFR § 393.75, tires must have minimum tread depth (4/32″ on steer tires), and drivers must inspect tires during pre-trip inspections.

We subpoena tire maintenance records to prove the trucking company knew the tires were bald or defective but sent the truck out anyway to save money.

Brake Failure Accidents

Poor maintenance causes brake failures. Worn brake pads, improper adjustments, and air system leaks all violate federal regulations. When a truck can’t stop approaching the red light at the intersection of Highway 80 and Tarbutton Road in Ruston, or coming down the slight grade toward the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, the crash is often fatal.

We examine the truck’s maintenance logs, looking for skipped inspections or deferred repairs that prove the company prioritized profit over your safety.

Cargo Spills and Hazmat Incidents

Lincoln Parish sees significant chemical and industrial traffic moving between Shreveport and Monroe. When a tanker truck rolls over or a cargo container spills—perhaps because the load wasn’t secured per 49 CFR § 393.100—the resulting chemical exposure or roadway obstruction creates secondary accidents.

We hold cargo loaders, shipping companies, and trucking companies responsible when their negligence spills hazardous materials onto our roads.

Rollover Accidents

High center of gravity plus speed equals rollover. We see these on the ramps and curves of I-20, especially near the service roads where drivers misjudge the curve radius. Liquid cargo “slosh” makes rollovers more likely when tankers take turns too fast.

Head-On Collisions

When a fatigued trucker drifts across the center line on a rural parish road or a two-lane highway, the combined closing speed often exceeds 130 mph. These accidents are almost always fatal for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Despite clear prohibitions in 49 CFR § 392.82, truckers text, watch videos, and fiddle with dispatch devices while driving. We subpoena cell phone records to prove the driver was distracted in the moments before the crash.

Drunk or Drugged Driving

While random testing is required under 49 CFR Part 382, some trucking companies look the other way when drivers fail tests. When an impaired trucker causes a crash in Lincoln Parish, we pursue punitive damages.

Override Accidents

When a truck drives over a smaller vehicle in front of it—often because the driver was following too closely or couldn’t brake in time—the smaller vehicle can be crushed or dragged.

Sideswipe Accidents

Changing lanes without checking blind spots on I-20 or Highway 167 causes sideswipes that push passenger vehicles into guardrails or other lanes of traffic.

Lost Load Accidents

When cargo falls from a truck—whether because of inadequate securement, worn straps, or missing gates—following vehicles have no time to react. These “falling object” crashes cause severe injuries and often involve multiple vehicles.

Ten Parties Who May Owe You Money

Most firms only sue the driver and trucking company. That’s a mistake. We investigate every potentially liable party because more defendants means more insurance coverage means higher compensation for your family.

1. The Truck Driver
Directly liable for negligence: speeding, distraction, fatigue, impairment, or violation of traffic laws.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Vicariously liable under “respondeat superior” for their employee’s actions. Also directly liable for:

• Negligent hiring (failing to check the driver’s terrible safety record)
• Negligent training (inadequate safety instruction)
• Negligent supervision (ignoring FMCSA violations)
• Negligent maintenance (skipping required repairs)

3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper
Company that loaded the truck or arranged the shipment may be liable for requiring overloaded vehicles or failing to disclose hazardous cargo.

4. The Loading Company
Third-party warehouses that physically loaded the trailer may be liable for improper securement under 49 CFR § 393.100, causing cargo shifts that lead to rollovers or spills.

5. The Truck Manufacturer
Defective brakes, fuel tanks, or safety systems can support product liability claims against companies like Freightliner, Peterbilt, or Volvo.

6. The Parts Manufacturer
Companies that made the specific tire that blew, the brake system that failed, or the steering component that locked up can be liable for defective products.

7. The Maintenance Company
Third-party repair shops that performed negligent brake jobs or certified unsafe vehicles as roadworthy share liability.

8. The Freight Broker
Brokers who arranged the shipment may be liable for negligent selection of an unsafe carrier with poor safety ratings.

9. The Truck Owner
In owner-operator arrangements, the individual who owns the truck may carry separate insurance and liability.

10. Government Entities
If dangerous road design—like inadequate signage, poorly designed merge lanes, or lack of guardrails—contributed to the crash, we may pursue claims against state or parish entities. Note: Louisiana has strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines for claims against government bodies.

Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney helps us identify every possible pocket of insurance coverage. He knows how carriers structure their coverage to hide assets, and he knows how to find them.

Evidence Disappears Fast: The 48-Hour Rule

Here’s what the trucking company doesn’t want you to know: Critical evidence in your case can be destroyed or overwritten within days.

• ECM/Black Box Data: Records speed, braking, and engine performance. Overwritten in 30 days.
• ELD Data: Shows hours-of-service violations. Often retained only 6 months.
• Dashcam Footage: May be deleted within 7-14 days.
• Driver Qualification Files: Can be “lost” or altered.
• Maintenance Records: May suddenly become unavailable.
• Cell Phone Records: Must be preserved before deletion.

We send spoliation letters immediately—usually within 24 hours of being retained. These formal legal notices put the trucking company on notice that destroying evidence will result in serious consequences, including adverse jury instructions or sanctions.

We also deploy investigators to the scene quickly. We photograph tire marks before they fade. We identify witnesses before they move away. We locate surveillance cameras from nearby businesses that may have captured the crash.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident anywhere in Lincoln Parish—whether in Ruston, Grambling, Dubach, or on the interstate—call 1-888-288-9911 immediately. Every hour you wait makes your case harder to prove.

Catastrophic Injuries: What Your Case May Be Worth

18-wheeler accidents don’t cause whiplash and bruises. They cause catastrophic, life-altering injuries. We’ve recovered millions for clients suffering from:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Closed head injuries, concussions, and penetrating brain trauma can cause cognitive deficits, personality changes, and permanent disability. Settlement ranges typically run from $1.5 million to $9.8 million depending on severity. Lifetime care costs for severe TBI can exceed $3 million.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Paraplegia and quadriplegia require wheelchairs, home modifications, and 24/7 care. These cases often settle for $4.7 million to $25.8 million or more.

Amputation

Traumatic amputations or surgical removal of crushed limbs require prosthetics ($50,000+ each, needing replacement every few years) and extensive rehabilitation. Settlement ranges: $1.9 million to $8.6 million.

Severe Burns

Tanker explosions and fires cause third-degree burns requiring skin grafts, reconstruction, and treatment for contractures. Burns on hands, face, or joints significantly increase case value.

Wrongful Death

When a trucking accident takes your loved one, you can recover:

• Lost future income and benefits
• Loss of consortium and guidance
• Mental anguish
• Funeral expenses
• Pre-death medical costs

Our wrongful death settlements in Louisiana have ranged from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.

These numbers aren’t guarantees—they’re illustrations of what’s possible when you have an experienced trial lawyer fighting for you. Ralph Manginello prepares every case as if it’s going to trial, which pressures insurance companies to offer fair settlements rather than risk a jury verdict.

Insurance Coverage in Commercial Trucking Cases

Federal law requires commercial trucking companies to carry substantial liability insurance:

• $750,000 minimum for general freight (non-hazardous)
• $1 million minimum for oil, petroleum products, and large equipment
• $5 million minimum for hazardous materials and passenger carriers

Many carriers carry $1 million to $5 million in coverage, with excess policies on top. Unlike regular car accidents where you might be dealing with a $30,000 policy, trucking accidents have real money on the line—but only if you know how to access it.

Insurance companies use sophisticated software (like Colossus) to undervalue claims. They train adjusters to minimize payouts. But here’s the thing: our firm includes an attorney who used to work for them.

Lupe Peña knows their algorithms. He knows their negotiation tactics. And he knows when they’re bluffing about policy limits. When he tells an insurance company you won’t accept their lowball offer, they know he means it—because he’s seen what happens when victims reject bad offers and take cases to trial.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lincoln Parish Truck Accidents

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims—the shortest in the nation. File suit one day late, and you lose your rights forever. Don’t wait to call us.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Louisiana follows “pure comparative fault.” You can recover damages even if you were 99% at fault, though your recovery gets reduced by your percentage of blame. However, don’t assume you were at fault—let us investigate. Trucking companies often claim victims were at fault when the data proves otherwise.

Can I sue the trucking company if the driver was an independent contractor?
Usually yes. Even “independent” drivers often function as employees under FMCSA regulations, making the company vicariously liable. Plus, we sue for negligent hiring and supervision regardless of employment status.

What is a spoliation letter?
It’s a formal legal notice demanding the trucking company preserve all evidence, including black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and video footage. Once they receive it, destroying evidence becomes a serious legal violation. We send these within 24 hours.

Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies pay higher settlements to lawyers with proven trial records. Ralph Manginello’s federal court experience and 25-year track record gives us leverage.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
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 investigation costs, expert fees, and court expenses.

¿Hablan Español?
Yes. Associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 and ask for Lupe.

What if the trucking company destroyed evidence?
Courts can impose severe sanctions, including “adverse inference” instructions telling the jury to assume destroyed evidence was unfavorable to the trucking company. Sometimes, spoliation alone can force a settlement.

How do you prove the driver was fatigued?
We download Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data showing hours of service violations under 49 CFR Part 395. We also examine dispatch records showing impossible delivery schedules that pressured the driver to break the law.

What if my loved one died in the truck accident?
We file wrongful death claims for surviving spouses, children, and parents. Louisiana’s one-year deadline applies, so contact us immediately.

Can I afford to wait to see if my injuries get better?
No. Seek medical treatment immediately. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to claim you weren’t really hurt. Also, we need medical documentation to prove your damages.

What if the truck was from out of state?
We handle that regularly. Because Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court and licensed in both Texas and New York, we can pursue out-of-state carriers effectively. Plus, FMCSA regulations apply nationwide.

How much is my Lincoln Parish truck accident case worth?
Value depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and available insurance. Trucking cases typically involve higher insurance limits than car accidents. We’ve recovered millions for clients with catastrophic injuries.

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
Never. Do not give recorded statements. Adjusters are trained to get you to say things that hurt your case. Refer them to us.

What if the accident happened on a rural parish road rather than the interstate?
We handle accidents throughout Lincoln Parish, from I-20 to the smallest parish roads. The same FMCSA regulations apply regardless of road type.

Why Families in Lincoln Parish Choose Attorney911

When another law firm turned Donald Wilcox away saying they wouldn’t accept his case, he called us. “Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

Chad Harris told us, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

That’s how we operate. We’re not a faceless mill that processes cases like factory widgets. Ralph Manginello personally handles major decisions. Lupe Peña brings insider knowledge of insurance defense tactics. And our entire team— including case managers like Leonor and Crystal—treats you with the respect you deserve.

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston, demonstrating our willingness to take on powerful institutions. We were one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation that resulted in over $2 billion in collective settlements.

With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve North Louisiana clients effectively, and our federal court admission means we can handle complex interstate cases that other firms can’t touch.

Don’t Let the Trucking Company Win. Call Now.

You didn’t ask for this fight. You were just driving to work, picking up your kids, or heading home. Now you’re facing surgeries, physical therapy, unpaid bills, and an uncertain future. Meanwhile, the trucking company has teams of lawyers working to make sure you get as little as possible.

You need a fighter. You need someone who knows the federal regulations. You need someone who understands the local courts in Lincoln Parish. You need Attorney911.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. The consultation is free. We answer calls 24 hours a day. And remember: you pay nothing unless we win.

Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And the statute of limitations is ticking. One year isn’t as long as you think when you’re recovering from catastrophic injuries.

Don’t let them push you around. We’ve recovered over $50 million for families just like yours. Let us fight for you.

Call 888-ATTY-911 today. Because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with it. Because you deserve justice. Because your family deserves to be made whole.

We’re ready when you are.

Attorney911 / The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Managing Partner: Ralph P. Manginello, Bar No. 24007597
Associate Attorney: Lupe E. Peña, Former Insurance Defense
Offices: Houston, Austin, Beaumont
Serving Lincoln Parish and All of North Louisiana
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)