Roberts County Truck Accident Lawyers: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Wrecks
The impact of an 80,000-pound truck isn’t just a traffic accident; it’s a life-altering event. When a semi-truck slams into a passenger vehicle on a highway like US-60 or US-70 in Roberts County, the physics are never in your favor. Your car weighs maybe 4,000 pounds. The truck that hit you is 20 times heavier. One moment, you’re driving home from work or heading to the ranch; the next, your world is shattered.
If you’ve been hurt in a commercial vehicle crash in Roberts County, you’re currently facing a legal emergency. Trucking companies and corporate fleet operators don’t wait for the dust to settle. They have rapid-response teams on the ground before the ambulance even leaves the scene. Their goal is to protect their bottom line, not your family’s future.
At Attorney911, led by managing partner Ralph Manginello, we bridge that gap. With over 25 years of experience, Ralph Manginello has spent his career holding negligent trucking companies accountable. Our firm brings federal court experience and a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements for families in Roberts County and throughout Texas. We understand that in the aftermath of a catastrophic collision, you don’t just need a lawyer—you need a fighter who knows the industry playbooks.
Learn more about your rights in our video guide: “The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxEHIxZTbK8.
The Roberts County Advantage: Why Our Team Is Different
Most law firms approach truck accidents like they’re just bigger car accidents. We know better. These cases involve complex federal regulations, layers of corporate liability, and aggressive insurance defense tactics.
Our internal team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who provides us with a critical edge: he used to work for the insurance companies. Before joining our side, Lupe Peña worked at a national defense firm, learning exactly how these massive corporations evaluate, minimize, and deny claims. We use that insurance defense advantage to anticipate their moves and maximize your recovery. When we say we know how they think, we mean it. Lupe has read their manuals and knows where they hide the money.
Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has made it his mission to ensure that victims in Roberts County aren’t just another case number. As client Chad Harris said about our firm, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” Whether you were hit by a Walmart 18-wheeler, an Amazon delivery van, or an oilfield water truck, we treat your case with the urgency it deserves.
We have recovered over $50 million for Texas families. Our results speak for themselves, including a $5+ million settlement for a traumatic brain injury and a $3.8+ million recovery for an amputation case. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with the largest corporations on the planet, from BP during the Texas City refinery litigation to retail giants like Walmart.
Call Attorney911 NOW at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. There is zero risk—you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your Roberts County case.
Specialized Knowledge of Roberts County Trucking Hazards
Roberts County is unique. Sitting in the heart of the Texas Panhandle and the Anadarko Basin, our roads are shared by heavy ranching equipment, long-haul freight carriers, and constant oilfield traffic. We know the specific dangers of US-60 as it cuts through the rolling prairies and the sharp curves of US-70.
In Roberts County, an 18-wheeler accident often involves factors that urban lawyers might miss. We understand the risks presented by high winds on the plains that can cause trailer sway and blowovers. We know how dust storms can reduce visibility to zero on FM roads in seconds, and how the remote nature of Roberts County means that when an accident happens, the wait for emergency services can be terrifyingly long. This distance to Level 1 trauma centers in places like Amarillo makes the “Golden Hour” of medical treatment even more critical and the eventual damages even more substantial.
Common Commercial Vehicle Accident Types in Roberts County
Every truck accident has a different set of physics and a different set of rules. We investigate the mechanics of your crash to prove exactly how the driver and the company failed you.
Oilfield Vehicle and Tanker Accidents
Because Roberts County sits over a productive oil and gas patch, our roads are saturated with specialized vehicles. We handle cases involving:
- Water Trucks and Crude Tankers: These vehicles carry shifting liquid loads that make them prone to rollovers. A driver hauling produced water to a disposal well on a narrow Roberts County road often faces fatigue from 12-hour shifts.
- Frac Sand Haulers: These heavy pneumatic trailers often exceed weight limits, destroying road surfaces and increasing stopping distances.
- Crew Vans: 15-passenger vans are notoriously unstable. When an oilfield services company like Halliburton or Schlumberger rushes a tired crew to a wellsite at 4:30 AM, the risk of a rollover is extreme.
18-Wheeler Jackknife and Rollover Crashes
On high-speed corridors like US-60, a jackknife occurs when a driver brakes too hard or improperly, causing the trailer to swing out perpendicular to the cab. In Roberts County, this often sweeps across both lanes of a two-lane highway, leaving oncoming traffic with no escape. Rollovers are equally common, often caused by top-heavy loads or drivers taking curves like those near the Canadian River too quickly.
Underride Collisions
Perhaps the most lethal accident type we see in Roberts County is the underride. This happens when a passenger car slides underneath the rear or side of a trailer because the truck lacks proper guarding. These accidents are almost always catastrophic, resulting in severe TBI or wrongful death.
Corporate Delivery Fleet Wrecks
Companies like Amazon and FedEx deliver to every corner of Roberts County. Amazon uses a Delivery Service Partner (DSP) model to try and distance itself from liability when a driver has an accident. We know how to pierce that shield. We argue that because Amazon controls the routes, the timing, and even the driver’s behavior through Netradyne cameras, they are the employer regardless of what the contract says.
Learn more in our video: “Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0MT3CKbUb4.
Federal Regulations: Proving Negligence through 49 CFR
Trucking is one of the most regulated industries in the country. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules that every carrier in Roberts County must follow. When they break these rules, it’s not just a “mistake”—it’s evidence of negligence.
Hours of Service (49 CFR Part 395)
Federal law limits drivers to 11 hours behind the wheel. We find that many drivers in Roberts County are pushed by their companies to violate these rest requirements to meet delivery windows. Fatigue is a factor in over 30% of large truck crashes. When we pull the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data, we often find the “truth” that the driver’s logbook was trying to hide.
Driver Qualification (49 CFR Part 391)
Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are fit for the road. This means checking driving records and medical certifications. If a Roberts County trucking company puts a driver on the road without a valid CDL or with a history of DWI, they are liable for negligent hiring.
Inspection and Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396)
Brake failure accounts for nearly 29% of all commercial vehicle crashes. Companies must systematically inspect and maintain their fleets. We subpoena the maintenance logs for any truck that hits our clients in Roberts County. If the brakes were worn or the tires were retreads that should have been retired, the trucking company is on the hook.
Identifying the 16 Liable Parties: We Cast a Wide Net
Most lawyers only look at the driver. We look at everyone. To get you the compensation you deserve in Roberts County, we investigate every party that touched that truck:
- The Driver: For speed, distraction, or impairment.
- The Trucking Company: For vicarious liability and negligent supervision.
- The Cargo Owner: If the load was hazardous or improperly documented.
- The Loading Company: For failing to secure cargo properly (49 CFR Part 393).
- The Truck Manufacturer: For design defects in steering or brakes.
- The Parts Manufacturer: For defective tires or component parts.
- The Maintenance Company: For negligent repairs.
- The Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a known bad safety record.
- The Truck Owner: For negligent entrustment.
- Government Entities: If road design or lack of maintenance in Roberts County contributed to the wreck.
- Corporate Parent Brands: Holding companies like Walmart or Amazon responsible for their fleet’s actions.
- Oilfield Operators: If the operator created unsafe lease road conditions.
- Staffing Agencies: For providing unqualified drivers.
- Rental Truck Companies: In cases involving U-Haul or Penske vehicles.
- Transit Agencies: For bus accidents within the county.
- The Federal Government: If the vehicle was a USPS or military truck.
By identifying multiple liable parties, we can stack insurance policies to ensure there is enough money to cover your lifetime of medical needs.
If you’ve been hurt, call us today at (888) 288-9911. We speak your language. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
The 48-Hour Evidence Emergency in Roberts County
The moment a crash occurs in Roberts County, the clock starts ticking on your evidence. If you wait 30 days to hire an attorney, it might be too late to win your case.
ECM/Black Box Data: The truck’s Engine Control Module records speed, braking, and throttle levels. This data is often overwritten every 30 days or even sooner if the truck is put back in service.
ELD Logs: Electronic logs prove driver fatigue, but they can be misplaced or “lost” if not legally preserved.
Dashcam Footage: Many corporate fleets use Netradyne or DriveCam systems. This footage is typically deleted within days unless a formal preservation letter is sent.
Ralph Manginello and our team send formal spoliation letters within 24 to 48 hours of being hired. This legal notice forces the trucking company to preserve all electronic data and physical evidence. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, we can seek sanctions in court that may lead to an automatic finding of liability.
Catastrophic Injuries and the Cost of a Life Changed
Because of the sheer force of an 18-wheeler, the injuries our clients in Roberts County suffer are usually catastrophic. We don’t just see broken bones; we see shattered lives.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A brain injury changes how you think, feel, and interact with the world. Even a “mild” concussion can lead to lifelong issues with memory and mood. Severe TBIs can require 24/7 care. Settlements in these cases often range from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million because the cost of neurological rehabilitation is astronomical.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spine often results in permanent paralysis. Whether it’s paraplegia or quadriplegia, the lifetime care costs—including specialized housing, caregivers, and medical equipment—can exceed $25 million. We work with life care planners to ensure your Roberts County settlement covers every penny you will need for the rest of your life.
Amputations and Crush Injuries
The heavy steel of a truck often crushes the passenger compartment of a car. When a limb is lost, the trauma is both physical and psychological. We’ve secured settlements between $1.9 million and $8.6 million for amputation victims to cover the cost of prosthetics and the loss of career potential.
Wrongful Death
If you lost a loved one in a Roberts County truck wreck, no check can ever make it right. But under Texas law, you are entitled to justice. A wrongful death claim can secure your family’s financial future, covering the lost earning capacity of a spouse or parent. These cases routinely see recoveries between $1.9 million and $9.5 million.
For more information, watch: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.
Commercial Truck Insurance: Accessing the Deep Pockets
In a regular car accident, you might be fighting over a $30,000 policy. In an 18-wheeler case, the rules are different. Federal law (49 CFR Part 387) requires trucking companies to carry significant insurance:
- General Freight: $750,000 minimum.
- Oilfield/Large Equipment: $1,000,000 minimum.
- Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT): $5,000,000 minimum.
Since Roberts County has significant oil and gas activity, many of the trucks you encounter carry the $5 million HAZMAT minimum. Furthermore, large corporate fleets like Amazon and Walmart often have “excess” layers of insurance that provide $50 million or even $100 million in total coverage.
Accessing these “deep pockets” requires proving the corporate parent’s negligence. This is where Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of experience becomes your biggest asset. We know how to navigate self-insured retentions and umbrella policies to uncover the full amount available for your recovery.
Your Rights Under Texas Law in Roberts County
When you file a lawsuit in Roberts County, you are governed by the specific statutes of the State of Texas.
Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you generally have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.
Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Rule): This is critical. In Roberts County, you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the wreck. However, if a jury finds that you were more than 50% responsible, you recover nothing. This is why trucking companies fight so hard to blame the victim—if they can get you to 51% fault, they pay $0.
Associate attorney Lupe Peña knows the insurance company’s playbook for blaming victims. He spent years in insurance defense being trained to do exactly that. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to fight those allegations and protect your settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roberts County Truck Wrecks
Q: What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
A: This is the most common defense used by companies like Amazon and FedEx Ground. They claim they aren’t responsible because the driver doesn’t work for them directly. We have successfully fought this “independent contractor” shield by proving that the parent company exercised enough control over the driver to be held liable under Texas agency law.
Q: Can I sue for PTSD after a truck accident in Roberts County?
A: Absolutely. A collision with an 18-wheeler is a violent, traumatizing event. Symptoms like nightmares, driving anxiety, and flashbacks are real injuries. As client Chad Harris noted, we treat our clients like family, and that includes taking your mental health seriously as a part of your damage claim.
Q: If I’m hit by a truck on a remote Roberts County road, who investigates?
A: While the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) or the Roberts County Sheriff’s Office will file a report, their investigation isn’t built for a civil lawsuit. We hire independent accident reconstruction experts who go to the coordinate location of the crash, map the debris, analyze skid marks, and provide the technical proof needed to win.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we advance all the costs—the experts, the data downloads, the court filings. We only get paid if you do. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
Q: Why shouldn’t I settle with the insurance company right away?
A: Insurance companies offer “quick” settlements to catch you before you realize how hurt you really are. Once you sign that paper, you can never ask for more money. Many of our clients in Roberts County find that their back pain or TBI symptoms don’t fully manifest until months later. Never sign anything until you’ve spoken with a lawyer with 25+ years of experience like Ralph Manginello.
Q: Are there hidden damages I can claim?
A: Most people think only of medical bills. We pursue “hidden” damages like loss of household services (the cost of hiring help for things you can no longer do), loss of earning capacity (the difference in what you could have earned over your life vs. what you can now), and home modifications for accessibility.
Q: What happens if the black box data is already deleted?
A: This is why you must call us immediately. If a Roberts County trucking company deletes data after they should have known it was needed for a case, we can ask the judge for a “spoliation instruction.” This tells the jury that they must assume the deleted evidence was bad for the trucking company. It is a powerful tool in our litigation arsenal.
Powerful Representation for the Roberts County Community
If you are reading this, you are likely in pain and overwhelmed. The medical bills are piling up, you can’t work, and you aren’t sure how to move forward. The trucking company is hoping you feel small and alone.
You aren’t.
Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has been taking on the largest corporations and most aggressive insurance companies in the country. Our firm is “Powerful and Proven,” recognized as a Million Dollar Member of the Trial Lawyers Achievement Association. We bring 25+ years of trial experience to every Roberts County case we handle.
At Attorney911, we believe in “Legal Emergency Lawyers™.” We are available 24/7 because we know that trucking disasters don’t wait for business hours. When you call us, you get a team that knows the science of the truck, the law of the industry, and the heart of the victim.
As client Donald Wilcox said, “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.” We take the difficult cases. We find the liable parties others miss. We make them pay.
Contact our offices serving Roberts County today. Let us take the burden of the insurance adjusters off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters most: your health and your family.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for your free, no-obligation consultation. Hablamos Español. Your fight for justice in Roberts County starts with one phone call. Don’t let the trucking company win by default—hire the team that insurance companies fear.
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