Fatal 18-Wheeler and Tractor-Trailer Crashes in Mansfield, Texas: What Families Need to Know

You’re reading this in Mansfield because someone you love didn’t come home. A fully loaded 18-wheeler changed everything on a corridor most people in Tarrant County drive every day without thinking about it. On Highway 287 south of Mansfield, where the morning commute backs up toward Fort Worth, or on the I-20 feeder routes that carry freight between the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the Permian Basin oilfields, the physics of an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer at highway speed leaves no time for the driver of a passenger vehicle to react. A semi-truck crash at those weights is not a fender-bender — it is a closing-speed event that frequently produces fatalities and catastrophic injuries.

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 has already started a clock that doesn’t stop while you grieve. You have two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a wrongful-death action under § 71.001. Under § 71.004, you — as the surviving spouse, child, or parent — hold an independent statutory claim. So does your loved one’s estate, under § 71.021, for the conscious pain and mental anguish suffered between injury and death. The carrier whose driver killed your family member has lawyers who have been working since the night of the crash. The longer you wait, the more evidence the carrier controls — the electronic logging device (ELD) under 49 C.F.R. Part 395, the dashcam footage, the maintenance records under Part 396, the driver qualification file under 49 C.F.R. § 391.51 — and the more of it disappears.

We send the preservation letter that locks it down. We pull the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Pre-Employment Screening Program record on the driver and the Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile on the carrier before discovery formally opens. We know what the Texas Pattern Jury Charges will ask in the Tarrant County District Court, and we build the case for those questions from the first investigator we send to the scene.

The Reality of an 18-Wheeler Crash on Mansfield’s Freight Corridors

Mansfield sits at the intersection of two major Texas freight networks. Highway 287, running north-south through the city, carries long-haul freight between Fort Worth and the Texas-Louisiana border, while I-20 stretches east-west, connecting the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to the Permian Basin oilfields and beyond. These corridors are lifelines for Texas commerce, but they also produce some of the most dangerous conditions for passenger vehicles sharing the road with commercial trucks.

In 2024, Tarrant County recorded 28,074 crashes, 149 of which were fatal. While Mansfield itself is a growing suburban community, its proximity to these high-traffic corridors means its residents face elevated risks from commercial vehicle crashes. According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS), the most dangerous contributing factors for fatal crashes in Tarrant County mirror statewide trends: Failed to Drive in a Single Lane (800 fatalities statewide in 2024), Failed to Control Speed (513 fatalities), and Driver Inattention (267 fatalities). These factors are especially deadly when combined with the sheer size and weight of an 18-wheeler.

For Mansfield families, this isn’t just statistics — it’s the wreck that closed Highway 287 last Tuesday, the ambulance your neighbor heard at 2 a.m., the flowers on the overpass at the intersection of Highway 287 and Debbie Lane. These corridors are part of daily life, but they also carry the risk of catastrophic crashes that change families forever.

What Texas Wrongful Death and Survival Statutes Give Your Family

Texas law provides two separate legal pathways for families after a fatal commercial vehicle crash: wrongful death claims and survival actions.

Wrongful Death Claims (§ 71.001–71.004)

Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 71.004, the following family members may bring a wrongful death claim:

• The surviving spouse
• Children (including adult children)
• Parents

Each of these claimants holds an independent claim for damages, including:

• Pecuniary loss: The financial support the deceased would have provided, including lost wages, benefits, and inheritance.
• Mental anguish: The emotional pain and suffering endured by the surviving family members.
• Loss of companionship and society: The intangible loss of love, comfort, and guidance.
• Loss of inheritance: The value of what the deceased would have saved and left to their heirs.

Survival Actions (§ 71.021)

The estate of the deceased may also bring a survival action under § 71.021. This claim compensates for the damages the deceased would have been entitled to if they had survived, including:

• Pain and suffering endured between the time of injury and death.
• Medical expenses incurred before death.
• Funeral and burial expenses.

The Two-Year Clock (§ 16.003)

Both wrongful death and survival actions are subject to a two-year statute of limitations under § 16.003. This clock starts ticking on the date of the fatal injury, not the date of death, the funeral, or the finalization of the police report. Once the two-year window closes, the case is barred forever, and the carrier’s insurer is under no obligation to negotiate, regardless of how clear the negligence is.

We never approach a case assuming the clock can be extended. The two-year deadline is absolute, and acting early is the only way to preserve every legal option.

The Federal Regulations the Carrier Is Supposed to Operate Under

Commercial trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), codified in 49 C.F.R. Parts 382–399, establish strict rules for driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. When a carrier violates these regulations, it provides a powerful legal framework for proving negligence in a wrongful death or personal injury case.

Hours of Service (49 C.F.R. Part 395)

One of the most common — and most provable — forms of carrier negligence is hours-of-service (HOS) violations. Federal regulations cap a property-carrying commercial driver at:

• 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour duty window, after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• A 60-hour cap over 7 consecutive days or a 70-hour cap over 8 consecutive days.

The electronic logging device (ELD), mandated since December 2017 under 49 C.F.R. Part 395 Subpart B, records every minute the truck is in motion. When the ELD log shows a driver in “on-duty, not driving” status at the moment of the crash but the dashcam shows the truck traveling at highway speed, we have a falsified log. This is not just ordinary negligence — it is gross negligence under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 41, which opens the door to exemplary (punitive) damages.

Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years working for a national insurance defense firm, where he reviewed hundreds of ELD logs and dispatch records. He knows how carriers manipulate these records to hide violations. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to expose them.

Driver Qualifications (49 C.F.R. Part 391)

Before a commercial driver can operate an 18-wheeler, the carrier must verify that the driver:

• Holds a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
• Has passed a medical examination and holds a valid medical examiner’s certificate.
• Has no disqualifying criminal convictions (e.g., DUIs, felonies involving a motor vehicle).
• Has a clean driving record with no serious violations in the past three years.

The carrier must also conduct a background check under 49 C.F.R. § 391.23, including:

• Prior employment verification (going back at least three years).
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review.
• Drug and alcohol testing history from the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

If the carrier hired a driver with a history of HOS violations, DUIs, or preventable crashes, that is negligent hiring — a separate claim against the carrier that survives even if the driver was technically an independent contractor.

Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection (49 C.F.R. Part 396)

Federal regulations require carriers to inspect, repair, and maintain every commercial vehicle in their fleet. Under 49 C.F.R. § 396.13, drivers must conduct a pre-trip inspection before every shift, checking:

• Brakes (including air pressure and adjustment).
• Tires (tread depth, inflation, and signs of damage).
• Lights and reflectors (headlights, brake lights, turn signals).
• Steering and suspension systems.
• Coupling devices (fifth wheel, kingpin, safety chains).

If a crash is caused by a brake failure, tire blowout, or lighting malfunction, we subpoena the carrier’s maintenance records to determine whether the failure was preventable. If the carrier ignored a known defect, that is negligent maintenance — another direct claim against the carrier.

Cargo Securement (49 C.F.R. Part 393)

Improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Federal regulations under 49 C.F.R. Part 393 Subpart I require carriers to:

• Secure cargo using tie-downs, blocking, or other methods to prevent shifting.
• Distribute weight evenly to avoid overloading one side of the trailer.
• Inspect cargo during transit to ensure it remains secure.

If a crash is caused by lost or shifting cargo, we investigate whether the carrier followed these regulations. If not, the carrier is liable for negligent loading or negligent securement.

The Investigation We Begin Within 48 Hours

Evidence in commercial vehicle crashes has a half-life measured in days, not months. Within hours of taking your case, we take the following steps to preserve critical evidence before it disappears:

1. Send the Preservation Letter

We send a preservation letter to the motor carrier, the broker, the shipper, and any third-party telematics provider (e.g., Qualcomm, PeopleNet). The letter identifies:

• The electronic control module (ECM) and event data recorder (EDR).
• The electronic logging device (ELD) under 49 C.F.R. Part 395.
• The dashcam footage (driver-facing and forward-facing).
• The dispatch communications and routing records.
• The Qualcomm or PeopleNet telematics feed.
• The maintenance records under 49 C.F.R. Part 396.
• The driver qualification file under 49 C.F.R. § 391.51.
• The prior preventability determinations.
• The post-accident drug and alcohol screens under 49 C.F.R. § 382.303.
• Any Form MCS-90 endorsement on the policy.

We put the carrier on notice that spoliation — the intentional or negligent destruction of evidence — will be argued, and an adverse inference charge will be sought if any of this evidence disappears.

2. Pull the FMCSA Records

Before discovery formally opens, we pull:

• The Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record on the driver.
• The carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile by USDOT number.
• The carrier’s SAFER profile, which includes inspection and crash history.

These records tell us:

• Whether the driver had a history of HOS violations, speeding, or other serious infractions.
• Whether the carrier had a pattern of Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) BASIC violations in categories like Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service Compliance, or Vehicle Maintenance.
• Whether the carrier had prior preventability determinations for similar crashes.

Lupe Peña’s experience on the defense side gives us an edge here. He knows how to read these records for red flags that carriers try to hide.

3. Preserve Physical Evidence

We deploy an accident reconstruction expert to the scene to:

• Photograph the vehicles involved before they are repaired or scrapped.
• Document skid marks, debris fields, and roadway conditions.
• Download the ECM and EDR data from the truck’s black box.
• Preserve surveillance footage from nearby businesses, toll cameras, and residential doorbells.

In Mansfield, where retail surveillance systems often auto-delete within 7–14 days, and toll records (e.g., NTTA’s TxTag system) may be purged within 30–90 days, acting quickly is critical.

4. Subpoena Cell Phone Records

Distracted driving is a leading cause of commercial vehicle crashes. Under 49 C.F.R. § 392.82, commercial drivers are prohibited from using handheld phones while driving, and 49 C.F.R. § 392.80 prohibits texting. We subpoena:

• The driver’s cell phone records to check for calls or texts at the time of the crash.
• The carrier’s communications policy to see if they discouraged or encouraged phone use.
• The ELD timestamps to cross-reference against phone activity.

If the driver was distracted, that is negligence per se under Texas Pattern Jury Charge 27.2.

The Defendants Beyond the Driver

In a fatal 18-wheeler crash in Mansfield, the driver is rarely the only defendant. The carrier, the broker, the shipper, and even the manufacturer of a defective part may share liability. We pursue every responsible party to maximize your recovery.

1. The Motor Carrier (Employer)

The carrier is liable under respondeat superior for the driver’s negligence if the crash occurred within the course and scope of employment. However, we also pursue direct negligence claims against the carrier for:

• Negligent hiring: Failing to properly vet the driver (e.g., hiring someone with a history of DUIs or HOS violations).
• Negligent training: Failing to provide adequate training on defensive driving, HOS compliance, or cargo securement.
• Negligent supervision: Ignoring prior preventability determinations or CSA BASIC violations.
• Negligent retention: Keeping a driver on the road despite a pattern of unsafe behavior.
• Negligent maintenance: Failing to inspect, repair, or replace defective brakes, tires, or lighting systems.

2. The Freight Broker

Brokers like C.H. Robinson, Uber Freight, and XPO Logistics arrange loads between shippers and carriers. Under Miller v. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (9th Cir. 2020) and its Texas progeny, brokers can be liable for negligent selection if they dispatch a load to a carrier with a documented safety record.

We subpoena the broker’s carrier vetting records to determine whether they knew — or should have known — that the carrier was unsafe.

3. The Shipper

If the shipper directed the loading, scheduling, or routing of the truck, they may share liability for:

• Negligent loading: Overloading the trailer or failing to secure cargo properly.
• Unsafe scheduling: Pressuring the driver to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines, leading to HOS violations.
• Negligent routing: Directing the driver to take a route with known hazards (e.g., low bridges, weight-restricted roads).

4. The Maintenance Contractor

If a third-party company was responsible for inspecting or repairing the truck, they may be liable for negligent maintenance. We subpoena their inspection records to determine whether they missed a critical defect.

5. The Parts Manufacturer

If a defective part (e.g., brakes, tires, steering system) contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be liable under strict product liability. We work with engineering experts to determine whether the part failed due to a design or manufacturing defect.

6. The Government Entity (TxDOT, County, or Municipality)

If a roadway defect (e.g., missing guardrails, potholes, inadequate signage) contributed to the crash, we may pursue a claim against the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Tarrant County, or the City of Mansfield under the Texas Tort Claims Act (Chapter 101 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code).

Key requirements for government claims:

• Six-month notice requirement (§ 101.101): You must file a notice of claim within six months of the crash, or the claim is barred.
• Damages caps (§ 101.023):
  • $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for municipalities.
  • $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence for counties.
• Waiver of sovereign immunity (§ 101.021): The government is only liable for injuries caused by the use of a motor vehicle, a premise defect, or a defective condition of tangible property.

How Texas Pattern Jury Charges Submit Damages to a Jury

In a Mansfield wrongful death or survival action, the jury does not decide the case in the abstract. They answer specific questions submitted under the Texas Pattern Jury Charges (PJC). These questions determine liability and damages.

Negligence and Proximate Cause (PJC 27.1 and 27.2)

• PJC 27.1 (General Negligence): Did the defendant’s negligence proximately cause the crash?
• PJC 27.2 (Negligence Per Se): If the defendant violated a federal or state regulation (e.g., HOS violations, distracted driving), that violation is negligence per se — the jury only needs to determine whether the violation caused the crash.

Gross Negligence (PJC 5.1)

If the carrier’s conduct was grossly negligent (e.g., falsifying logs, ignoring prior preventability determinations, dispatching an unqualified driver), the jury may award exemplary (punitive) damages under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 41.

Key requirements for gross negligence:

• The carrier’s conduct involved an extreme degree of risk.
• The carrier was aware of the risk but proceeded anyway.
• The conduct was a proximate cause of the crash.

Damages Categories (PJC 9.1 and 9.2)

The jury submits damages in separate categories, each with its own question:

Wrongful Death Damages (§ 71.004)

• Pecuniary loss: The financial support the deceased would have provided (lost wages, benefits, inheritance).
• Mental anguish: The emotional pain and suffering of the surviving family members.
• Loss of companionship and society: The intangible loss of love, comfort, and guidance.
• Loss of inheritance: The value of what the deceased would have saved and left to their heirs.

Survival Action Damages (§ 71.021)

• Pain and suffering: The conscious physical and mental anguish the deceased endured between injury and death.
• Medical expenses: The cost of medical treatment before death.
• Funeral and burial expenses: The cost of laying your loved one to rest.

Exemplary Damages (Chapter 41)

• Punitive damages: Awarded if the carrier’s conduct was grossly negligent. The amount is not capped if the underlying act was a felony (e.g., intoxication manslaughter).

The Defense Playbook in Mansfield Trucking Cases — and Our Answer

The carrier’s defense lawyer has a script. We know every line of it because Lupe Peña used to write it. Here’s what they’ll say — and how we counter it.

1. “The Driver Did Nothing Wrong”

Their argument: The driver was professional, the crash was unavoidable, and the victim was partly at fault.

Our answer:

• Hours-of-service violations: We subpoena the ELD data and cross-reference it with fuel receipts, toll records, and GPS data. Discrepancies surface every time.
• Distracted driving: We subpoena cell phone records and dashcam footage. If the driver was texting or on a call, that’s negligence per se.
• Maintenance failures: We subpoena the carrier’s maintenance records. If the brakes or tires were defective, the carrier is liable.
• Prior preventability determinations: We pull the carrier’s SMS profile. If the driver had a history of similar crashes, that’s negligent retention.

Lupe’s insider quote:
“I’ve reviewed hundreds of surveillance videos and social media posts as a defense attorney. Here’s the truth: insurance companies take innocent activity out of context. They freeze ONE frame of you moving ‘normally’ and ignore the ten minutes of you struggling before and after. They’re not documenting your life — they’re building ammunition against you.”

2. “The Victim Was Partly at Fault”

Their argument: The victim was speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, or changed lanes unsafely.

Our answer:

• Texas follows modified comparative negligence (§ 33.001). Even if the victim was 50% at fault, they can still recover. At 51% or more, recovery is barred.
• The carrier has a superior duty of care. A commercial driver is held to a higher standard than an ordinary motorist under 49 C.F.R. Part 392.
• We develop evidence to shift fault back to the carrier. For example, if the carrier’s driver was speeding or fatigued, we argue that their negligence was the primary cause of the crash.

3. “The Injuries Aren’t Serious Enough”

Their argument: The victim didn’t go to the hospital right away, so their injuries must not be severe.

Our answer:

• Adrenaline masks pain. Many crash victims don’t feel the full extent of their injuries until days or weeks later.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can take time to manifest. Symptoms like headaches, memory loss, and personality changes may not appear immediately.
• We document every injury from the first ambulance run through every follow-up appointment. Texas Pattern Jury Charge 27.1 requires the jury to find that the carrier’s negligence was a proximate cause of the injuries — and the medical record proves it.

4. “The Evidence Was Destroyed”

Their argument: The ELD data, dashcam footage, or maintenance records “disappeared.”

Our answer:

• We send a preservation letter within 24 hours. If the carrier destroys evidence after receiving our letter, we argue spoliation and seek an adverse inference charge — the jury is instructed to assume the destroyed evidence would have helped our case.
• We subpoena third-party records. For example, toll records (TxTag, EZ Tag) can prove the truck’s speed and location at the time of the crash.

5. “The Case Is Worth Less Than You Think”

Their argument: The carrier’s adjuster offers a lowball settlement before you talk to a lawyer.

Our answer:

• First offers are always a fraction of case value. Adjusters are trained to settle cases before victims know their full damages.
• We calculate the full value of your claim, including:
  • Future medical care: The lifetime cost of treatment, rehabilitation, and attendant care.
  • Lost earning capacity: The income your loved one would have earned if they had lived.
  • Pain and suffering: The conscious physical and mental anguish endured before death.
  • Exemplary damages: If the carrier’s conduct was grossly negligent.
• We never advise a client to sign a release in the first 96 hours. The carrier counts on you accepting a low offer before you know what your case is really worth.

The Two-Year Clock Under § 16.003

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 gives you two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a wrongful death action. This clock runs whether or not the carrier’s insurer is returning your calls. Once it runs, the case is barred forever, and the carrier walks away from a viable claim because the file was never opened.

Why the Clock Matters

• The carrier’s insurer counts on families needing more time than the statute provides.
• Evidence is being destroyed right now. ELD data overwrites in 30–180 days. Surveillance footage auto-deletes in 7–14 days. Witness memories fade.
• The sooner we start, the stronger your case. We send the preservation letter, pull the FMCSA records, and begin building the case before the carrier can hide evidence.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long

• The carrier’s insurer will not negotiate after the two-year deadline.
• The court will dismiss your case if it’s filed late.
• You lose the right to compensation forever.

What We Do in the First 48 Hours

1. Send the preservation letter to lock down evidence.
2. Pull the FMCSA records on the driver and carrier.
3. Deploy an accident reconstruction expert to the scene.
4. Photograph the vehicles before they are repaired or scrapped.
5. Identify all potentially liable parties (carrier, broker, shipper, manufacturer, government entity).

How Attorney 911 Approaches Your Mansfield Case

We don’t just handle trucking cases — we specialize in holding trucking companies accountable. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. We Sue Trucking Companies, Not Just Drivers

Most personal injury firms stop at the driver. We name the carrier, the broker, the shipper, and the corporate parent as defendants. We pursue:

• Negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention.
• Broker liability under Miller v. C.H. Robinson.
• Shipper liability for unsafe loading or scheduling.
• Government liability under the Texas Tort Claims Act.
• Manufacturer liability for defective parts.

2. We Know the Federal Regulations Cold

Ralph Manginello has been representing injury victims in Texas since 1998. He is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has 27+ years of federal court experience. We know:

• Every 49 C.F.R. Part that applies to commercial trucking.
• How to subpoena ELD data, ECM downloads, and Qualcomm records.
• How to audit hours-of-service logs for falsification.
• How to cross-reference dispatch records with fuel receipts and toll records.

3. We Have an Insurance Defense Advantage

Lupe Peña worked for a national insurance defense firm for years, where he:

• Reviewed hundreds of ELD logs and dispatch records.
• Calculated claim valuations for insurance adjusters.
• Hired independent medical examiners (IMEs) to minimize payouts.
• Deployed the defense playbook from the inside.

Now, he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. He knows which tactics the carrier will use — and how to defeat them.

4. We Recover Multi-Million Dollar Settlements

We have recovered $50,000,000+ for injury victims across Texas, including:

• $5+ million for a client who suffered a brain injury with vision loss when a log dropped on him at a logging company.
• $3.8+ million for a client whose leg was injured in a car accident, leading to a partial amputation due to staff infections.
• $2+ million for a maritime worker who injured his back while lifting cargo on a ship (Jones Act case).
• Millions in trucking-related wrongful death cases.

“Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.”

5. We Handle Everything So You Can Grieve

We know you’re not thinking about lawsuits right now. That’s why we:

• Handle all communication with the insurance company.
• Coordinate with doctors and rehabilitation specialists.
• File all paperwork before deadlines.
• Keep you updated every step of the way.

You focus on your family. We’ll focus on the case.

What Your Case Is Worth in Mansfield

The value of your case depends on what the records show — not what the adjuster tells you. Here’s what we look at:

1. The Carrier’s Hours-of-Service Compliance

• Did the driver violate 49 C.F.R. Part 395?
• Were the logs falsified?
• Did the carrier ignore prior preventability determinations?

If the answer is yes, the case is worth more because it opens the door to exemplary damages.

2. The Driver’s Prior Record

• Did the driver have a history of DUIs, speeding, or HOS violations?
• Did the carrier hire them anyway?

If the answer is yes, that’s negligent hiring — another direct claim against the carrier.

3. The Maintenance File on the Truck

• Were the brakes, tires, or lights defective?
• Did the carrier ignore a known defect?

If the answer is yes, that’s negligent maintenance — another direct claim against the carrier.

4. The Speed and Physical Evidence at the Scene

• Was the truck speeding?
• Did the driver lose control?
• Was the cargo improperly secured?

If the answer is yes, that’s negligence per se under Texas Pattern Jury Charge 27.2.

5. The Survivor’s Medical Record

• What was the cause of death?
• How much pain and suffering did your loved one endure before death?
• What were the medical expenses before death?

These factors determine the value of the survival action.

6. The Jury Pool in Tarrant County

Tarrant County juries have a history of holding trucking companies accountable for gross negligence. If the carrier’s conduct was egregious, the jury may award exemplary damages — and there is no cap if the underlying act was a felony (e.g., intoxication manslaughter).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long will my case take?

Most trucking cases settle within 6–12 months, but some take longer if the carrier refuses to negotiate fairly. We push for resolution as quickly as possible without sacrificing value.

2. Do I have to go to court?

Most cases settle out of court, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This gives us leverage in negotiations. If the carrier refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are ready to take the case to a Tarrant County jury.

3. How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?

We work on a contingency fee basis:

• 33.33% of the recovery if the case settles before trial.
• 40% of the recovery if the case goes to trial.

You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. “You may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses.”

4. What if I was partly at fault?

Texas follows modified comparative negligence (§ 33.001). Even if you were 50% at fault, you can still recover. At 51% or more, recovery is barred. We develop evidence to shift fault back to the carrier.

5. What if the trucking company says the driver was an independent contractor?

Many carriers (e.g., Amazon DSP, FedEx Ground) try to avoid liability by claiming the driver was an independent contractor. We defeat this defense by proving:

• The carrier controlled the driver’s routes, schedules, and delivery quotas.
• The driver wore the carrier’s uniform and drove a branded truck.
• The driver had no opportunity for profit or loss outside the carrier’s system.

If the carrier controlled the driver, they are liable under Texas law.

6. What if the trucking company is based in another state?

We handle interstate trucking cases all the time. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply nationwide, and we know how to pursue carriers regardless of where they are based.

7. Can I switch lawyers if I’m not happy with my current attorney?

Yes. You can switch lawyers at any time. If your current attorney is not returning your calls, not keeping you updated, or pushing you to settle too low, you have options. We can take over your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

8. What if I don’t speak English?

Hablamos español. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, and we have bilingual staff members who can assist you. Your immigration status does not affect your right to compensation.

“Si su familia perdió a un ser querido en un accidente con un camión de carga en Mansfield, el reloj legal ya está corriendo. La ley de Texas otorga dos años desde la fecha de la lesión fatal para presentar una demanda por homicidio culposo. Atendemos a las familias en español, desde la primera llamada hasta la última audiencia en el tribunal del condado donde se presente el caso. Lo que el transportista quiere es que usted espere.”

Why Mansfield Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Know Mansfield’s Freight Corridors

Mansfield sits at the crossroads of Highway 287 and I-20, two of the busiest freight corridors in Texas. We know:

• The dangerous intersections (e.g., Highway 287 and Debbie Lane).
• The high-crash corridors (e.g., I-20 between Fort Worth and the Permian Basin).
• The carriers that operate in Mansfield (e.g., long-haul freight, oilfield service, last-mile delivery).

We approach every Mansfield case knowing the corridors, the carriers, and the crash patterns.

2. We Have 27+ Years of Federal Court Experience

Ralph Manginello has been representing injury victims since 1998. He is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has handled cases involving:

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).
• The Jones Act (maritime injuries).
• The Texas Tort Claims Act (government liability).
• BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation (one of the few firms in Texas involved).

3. We Have an Insurance Defense Advantage

Lupe Peña spent years working for a national insurance defense firm, where he:

• Reviewed ELD logs and dispatch records.
• Calculated claim valuations.
• Hired independent medical examiners (IMEs).
• Deployed the defense playbook from the inside.

Now, he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. He knows which tactics the carrier will use — and how to defeat them.

4. We Recover Multi-Million Dollar Settlements

We have recovered $50,000,000+ for injury victims across Texas, including:

• $5+ million for a brain injury case.
• $3.8+ million for an amputation case.
• $2+ million for a maritime back injury case.
• Millions in trucking-related wrongful death cases.

“Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.”

5. We Handle Everything So You Can Grieve

We know you’re not thinking about lawsuits right now. That’s why we:

• Handle all communication with the insurance company.
• Coordinate with doctors and rehabilitation specialists.
• File all paperwork before deadlines.
• Keep you updated every step of the way.

You focus on your family. We’ll focus on the case.

What to Do Next

The evidence is disappearing right now. The carrier’s insurer is working against you. The two-year clock under § 16.003 is ticking.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case in 15 minutes and tell you exactly what it may be worth.

There is no obligation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.

You may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses.

Serving Mansfield and the Surrounding Communities

Mansfield is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. We serve families across Tarrant County and the surrounding areas, including:

• Arlington
• Fort Worth
• Grand Prairie
• Kennedale
• Burleson
• Crowley
• Joshua
• Venus
• Midlothian
• Waxahachie
• Red Oak
• Desoto

We also serve families in Dallas County, Johnson County, Ellis County, and Parker County.

Our Offices

Houston (Primary Office)

1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 528-9070
Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

Austin Office

316 West 12th Street, Suite 311
Austin, TX 78701-1844

Beaumont (Golden Triangle Meetings)

Available for client meetings throughout Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin Counties.

Client Testimonials

“Melanie was excellent. She kept me informed and when she said she would call me back, she did. I got to speak with Ralph Manginello once and knew quickly the way his Firm was ran.” — Brian Butchee

“When I felt I had no hope or direction, Leonor reached out to me…She took all the weight of my worries off my shoulders.” — Stephanie Hernandez

“Special thank you to my attorney, Mr. Pena, for your kindness and patience with my repeated questions.” — Chelsea Martinez

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer…Ralph reached out personally.” — Dame Haskett

“I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” — Ambur Hamilton

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

“They went above and beyond! Special thank you to Ralph and Leanor.” — Diane Smith

“One of Houston’s Great Men Trae Tha Truth has recommended this law firm. So if he is vouching for them then I know they do good work.” — Jacqueline Johnson

“You know if TraeAbn tells you it’s the right way to go best attorney out here you can’t go wrong.” — Erica Perales

We Are Attorney 911 — Your Legal Emergency Lawyers™

When an 18-wheeler takes your loved one on a corridor through Mansfield, you need a firm that knows the law, knows the carriers, and knows how to win.

We are Attorney 911 — the firm that sues trucking companies, not just drivers.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now. The evidence is disappearing. The clock is ticking. We’re ready to fight for you.