Scurry County Truck Accident Attorneys: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Wrecks
The impact of an 80,000-pound truck hitting a 4,000-pound passenger car is not just a traffic accident; it is a violent, life-altering event. In Scurry County, where the energy of the Permian Basin meets the open highways of West Texas, these collisions are a daily threat. If you were hurt on US-84, US-180, or SH-208, you already know the terror of seeing a massive grill in your rearview mirror or watching a sand hauler drift into your lane. What you might not know is that while you are focused on your recovery in a hospital bed, the trucking company already has a team of experts at the scene working to protect their profits.
At Attorney911, we believe you deserve a fighter who moves just as fast as they do. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years taking on the largest corporations in the world and making them pay for the harm they cause. Since 1998, we have built a reputation for aggressive, relentless representation for families in Scurry County and across Texas. We don’t just handle cases; we win them. With multi-million dollar results for traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death, we have the resources to go toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 defendants like Walmart, Amazon, and the giants of the oil industry.
Our team brings a unique “unfair advantage” to your Scurry County case. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, used to work for a national insurance defense firm. He knows their playbook because he helped write it. He knows how adjusters are trained to minimize your pain and how they use algorithms to lowball your settlement. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. We provide direct representation in English and Spanish—Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. You pay us nothing unless we win your case.
Why Truck Accidents in Scurry County Are More Dangerous
Scurry County sits at a critical crossroads for the West Texas economy. Between the oil and gas operations in the surrounding Permian Basin and the massive wind energy projects across the plains, our local roads were never designed for the volume of heavy truck traffic they now carry. Whether it is an 18-wheeler hauling a massive wind turbine blade or a produced water tanker rushing to a disposal well near Snyder, the sheer size of these vehicles makes every mistake fatal.
The Physics of Destruction
The weight of a fully loaded semi-truck is its most dangerous feature. At 80,000 pounds, a truck is roughly 20 to 25 times heavier than your family SUV. When that truck is traveling at 65 mph on US-84, it needs approximately 525 feet to come to a complete stop—that is nearly two football fields. If a driver is distracted by a dispatch message or fatigued after a 12-hour shift in the oilfield, they cannot react in time to avoid you. The force of impact is not distributed equally; your car absorbs the energy, often resulting in crushing injuries, roof collapses, and catastrophic outcomes.
Scurry County’s High-Risk Corridors
We know the specific dangers of Scurry County roads. US-84 is a primary freight lane connecting Lubbock and Abilene, filled with long-haul drivers who are often pushing the limits of federal rest requirements. US-180 and SH-208 serve as the arteries for the oil patch, where water trucks, frac sand haulers, and crew transport vans share narrow, two-lane segments with local families. These roads are often degraded by heavy loads, covered in caliche dust that ruins visibility, and plagued by “hot shot” drivers who are paid per load, giving them a dangerous incentive to speed.
If you’ve been involved in a wreck on any of these routes, call 888-ATTY-911 immediately. Every hour you wait is an hour the trucking company uses to build their defense.
The Scurry County 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol
In the world of commercial trucking, evidence has a way of “disappearing.” The most critical data in your case is stored in electronic systems that can be overwritten in as little as 30 days. If you don’t act quickly, the very proof you need to win your Scurry County case could be gone forever.
ECM and “Black Box” Data
Modern trucks are equipped with an Engine Control Module (ECM) and an Event Data Recorder (EDR). This “black box” records exactly what the truck was doing in the seconds before impact. We look for:
- The exact speed at the moment of the collision.
- Whether the driver ever hit the brakes.
- The throttle position (was the driver accelerating into the crash?).
- Fault codes that prove the truck was being operated with known mechanical issues.
In Scurry County, we see many cases where a driver claims “the car pulled out in front of me,” but the black box data proves the truck was speeding 10 mph over the limit. We send formal spoliation letters within 24 to 48 hours of being retained to legally force the carrier to preserve this data.
ELD and Hours of Service Records
Since December 2017, the FMCSA has mandated Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to replace paper logs. These devices track every minute a driver is on duty. Under 49 CFR Part 395, drivers are strictly limited to 11 hours behind the wheel. However, in the high-pressure environment of the Scurry County oilfield, drivers are often pressured to “work the system.” We subpoena the ELD data and cross-reference it with GPS pings, fuel receipts, and wellsite gate logs to prove when a driver has falsified their records.
Dashcam and Surveillance Footage
Many corporate fleets—including those operated by Amazon and Walmart—now use AI-powered cameras like Netradyne or Lytx. These systems record both the road ahead and the driver’s behavior inside the cab. If a driver was on their phone, nodding off, or not wearing a seatbelt, those cameras caught it. But Amazon and other giants only keep routine footage for a few days. Our firm moves fast to lock down this video before it is deleted.
Learn more about protecting your rights in our video guide: “I’ve Had an Accident — What Should I Do First?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCox4Lq7zBM. Call (888) 288-9911 before the evidence is erased.
Understanding the Federal Regulations (FMCSA) That Protect You
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules for the trucking industry. These regulations, found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), are the primary tools we use to prove negligence in a Scurry County courtroom. When a company breaks these federal laws, they are responsible for the damage they cause.
Part 391: Driver Qualification
A trucking company cannot just put anyone behind the wheel. Under 49 CFR Part 391, they must maintain a “Driver Qualification File” for every operator. This file must include background checks, a history of previous violations, and a valid medical examiner’s certificate. In our investigation of Scurry County wrecks, we often find that companies hired a “cheap” driver who had a history of DUIs or multiple speeding tickets. That is not just a driver error; that is negligent hiring.
Part 396: Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance
Trucks operating in the dusty, harsh conditions of the Permian Basin near Scurry County require constant upkeep. 49 CFR Part 396 requires “systematic” inspection and maintenance. If a truck’s brakes fail on a US-180 curve because the pads were worn past the legal limit, the trucking company has violated federal law. We look at the Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) to see if the driver reported a problem that the company ignored to keep the truck on the road and generating profit.
Part 382: Drug and Alcohol Testing
The FMCSA requires random drug and alcohol testing for all CDL holders. In oilfield trucking, where the hours are long and the work is grueling, substance abuse is a tragic reality. If a driver was under the influence at the time of your Scurry County accident, we hold the company accountable for failing to enforce their testing protocols.
Our founder, Ralph Manginello, has spent over two decades identifying these violations. We know that every broken regulation is a building block for your recovery. Call 888-ATTY-911 to discuss the federal rules that may have been broken in your case.
Specialized Commercial Vehicle Wrecks in Scurry County
While an 18-wheeler is the most common “big truck” people think of, Scurry County is home to a wide variety of commercial vehicles, each presenting its own legal challenges.
Oilfield Truck Accidents
The Scurry County oil patch is a high-traffic zone for specialized vehicles.
- Produced Water Tankers: These trucks carry highly corrosive saltwater. Because of the “slosh effect” of liquid cargo, these tankers are prone to rollovers during sudden turns on US-84 or local farm roads.
- Frac Sand Haulers: These are often overloaded to maximize profit. A sand truck exceeding its weight limit cannot stop in time when traffic slows down in Snyder.
- Hot Shot Trucks: These smaller flatbeds haul urgent parts to wellsites. Because they are often paid “per load,” speed is their primary motivator, leading to aggressive and reckless driving on SH-208.
Corporate Fleet and Delivery Van Accidents
As Snyder and the surrounding areas grow, so does the presence of corporate delivery vehicles.
- Amazon Delivery Vans: Amazon uses a “Delivery Service Partner” (DSP) model to try to shield themselves from liability. They will tell you the driver wasn’t an Amazon employee. But Amazon controls the routes, the schedules, and the cameras in the van. We know how to pierce that corporate shield and hold Amazon accountable.
- Walmart 18-Wheelers: Walmart has one of the largest private fleets in the world. Their rapid-response investigators are legendary for their speed. When they hit a Scurry County resident, they aren’t looking to be fair; they are looking to win. We’ve fought Walmart before, and we know how to beat their defense teams.
Dump Trucks and Construction Vehicles
With the ongoing expansion of wind farms and local infrastructure, dump trucks and concrete mixers are everywhere in Scurry County. These vehicles often weigh 60,000 pounds or more and are frequently Operated by small subcontractors with poor maintenance records and minimal insurance. We investigate the general contractor who hired them to ensure there is enough money to cover your medical needs.
Whether you were hit by a semi, a delivery van, or an oilfield tanker, the Manginello Law Firm has the experience you need. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
Who Is Really Responsible for Your Scurry County Truck Accident?
One of the biggest mistakes a victim can make is thinking they can only sue the driver. In a commercial truck wreck, the driver is often just the tip of the iceberg. To maximize your recovery, we cast the widest possible net of liability.
1. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, the carrier is responsible for the actions of its employees. More importantly, we pursue them for direct negligence in hiring, training, and supervising their drivers. If they gave a 21-year-old an 80,000-pound truck with no mountain driving experience, they are liable.
2. The Cargo Owner and Loaders
Improperly secured cargo can cause a truck to jackknife or roll over. If a third-party company in Scurry County loaded the trailer unevenly, they are part of the liability chain. 49 CFR Part 393 sets strict standards for cargo securement; violations of these rules are powerful evidence of negligence.
3. The Oilfield Operator / Lease Holder
In many Scurry County oilfield accidents, the oil company that holds the lease (like ExxonMobil or Diamondback) can be held liable. They control the worksite, they set the schedules that create driver fatigue, and they are responsible for maintaining safe ingress and egress on their lease roads.
4. Freight Brokers
Brokers who hire “bottom-of-the-barrel” carriers with failing safety scores to save a few hundred dollars on a shipment can be held liable for their negligent selection of an unsafe carrier.
5. Manufacturers of Defective Parts
If your accident was caused by a tire blowout or brake failure, the fault may lie with the company that manufactured the defective part. We preserve the failed components for expert analysis. Watch our video: “Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTumr1looc) to learn how these cases work.
By finding every liable party, we find every available insurance policy. More defendants mean more resources for your lifetime care. Call (888) 288-9911 so we can begin our investigation into who is truly responsible for your injuries.
Catastrophic Injuries and the Financial Cost of Living
A truck accident doesn’t just “hurt”—it devastates. We understand the physical and emotional toll of surviving an encounter with an 18-wheeler. Our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families in Scurry County dealing with the following:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The violent jarring of a truck impact causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull. This results in axonal shearing and severe bruising. A TBI can change your personality, destroy your memory, and leave you unable to work. We have seen TBI settlements in the $1.5M to $9.8M range because we understand that a brain injury is a lifetime sentence.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
When the roof of a car collapses during an underride or rollover, the spine is often the first thing to break. A permanent spinal cord injury can cost over $5 million in the first year alone when you factor in surgeries, specialized housing, and 24/7 care. We fight for compensation that ensures you are never a burden to your family.
Amputation and Loss of Limb
Surviving a crush injury often requires a surgical amputation. The cost of a high-tech prosthetic can exceed $50,000, and it must be replaced every few years. We’ve recovered between $1.9M and $8.6M for amputation victims because we account for the lifelong medical and psychological support you will need.
The “Golden Hour” in Scurry County
Scurry County residents face a unique medical challenge. We are far from major Level 1 trauma centers in Lubbock or Abilene. When an accident happens on a remote lease road, the delay in medical care—the “Golden Hour”—directly impacts the severity of the outcome. We hold trucking companies responsible not just for the crash, but for the foreseeable consequences of operating in these rural areas.
Your injuries are unique, and your settlement should be too. Take the first step toward justice by calling Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911.
What Your Scurry County Truck Accident Case Is Truly Worth
Insurance adjusters will try to tell you that your case is only worth the cost of your current medical bills. They are lying. Under Texas law, you are entitled to “make whole” damages that account for every way this crash has affected your life.
Economic Damages: The Hard Numbers
We calculate every penny you have lost and will lose, including:
- Past and Future Medical Bills: From the LifeFlight ride to the Lubbock trauma center to the physical therapy you will need five years from now.
- Lost Earning Capacity: If a construction worker in Scurry County can no longer lift heavy equipment, he hasn’t just lost a paycheck—he has lost his career.
- Household Services: The value of the things you can no longer do, like mowing the lawn, cooking, or caring for your children.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost
How do you put a price on not being able to pick up your grandchild? Or living in constant anxiety every time you see a truck on the road?
- Physical Pain and Suffering: The daily agony of healing from multiple fractures.
- Mental Anguish: The PTSD, depression, and “survivor’s guilt” that follow a fatal crash.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Especially in burn or amputation cases.
In cases of “gross negligence”—where a company knew their driver was dangerous and let them drive anyway—we also pursue punitive damages to punish the company and prevent them from hurting anyone else. As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We will do the same for you. Call 1-888-288-9911 now for a free evaluation.
Fighting the “Deep Pockets” of Corporate Defendants
When you sue Walmart, Amazon, or a major oil company like Shell or Chevron, you are dealing with a “solvent defendant.” These companies have billions of dollars in assets, but they didn’t get that rich by being fair. They got that way by fighting every claim with an unlimited budget.
Self-Insurance and the “Stonewall” Strategy
Large companies often “self-insure” for the first $5 million to $10 million of any claim. This means the money to pay you comes directly from their corporate bottom line. Because of this, they fight harder than a standard insurance company would. They will hire private investigators to follow you, dig into your social media, and try to blame your injuries on “pre-existing conditions.”
The Insurance Defense Advantage
This is where Lupe Peña makes the difference for our Scurry County clients. Having worked inside a national defense firm, he knows the “Stonewall” strategy. He knows when an adjuster is bluffing and when they are scared. We use their protocols against them to force the maximum settlement.
You shouldn’t feel intimidated by a company’s size. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations, including BP during the 2005 refinery explosion litigation. Their army of lawyers doesn’t intimidate us. We make them pay. Call (888) ATTY-911 to level the playing field.
Scurry County Truck Accident FAQ: Your Questions Answered
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Scurry County?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, you should never wait that long. In a trucking case, your priority is the first 48 hours for evidence preservation. Wait too long, and the truck will be repaired or sold, and the black box data will be gone.
What if the truck driver was from out of state?
Many 18-wheelers on US-84 are registered in other states or even Mexico. Because they are involved in interstate commerce, we can often file these cases in federal court (U.S. District Court, Southern or Northern District of Texas). Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court and has the experience to navigate these complex jurisdictional issues.
What if an oil company truck hit me on a private road?
Even if the wreck happened on a private lease road, federal FMCSA regulations and Texas negligence laws still apply. In fact, these cases can be stronger because we can often pursue OSHA violations against the oil company for unsafe worksite conditions.
How much does it cost to hire the Manginello Law Firm?
You pay us zero upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. We advance all the costs of hiring accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and investigators. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing for our time or expenses.
The insurance company says the wreck was my fault—what now?
Texas follows a “51% modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% responsible. Even if you made a mistake, the truck driver’s violations (like speeding or fatigue) often far outweigh your own. We use forensic data to prove the truck was the primary cause.
What is “Loss of Consortium” and can my spouse sue?
Yes. When a catastrophic injury ruins a marriage or prevents a parent from being active in their child’s life, the family members have their own legal claims. We fight for the whole family, not just the injured person.
If you have more questions, watch our video library or call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911. We are here to provide the answers you need in a crisis.
Why Scurry County Families Trust Attorney911
We know there are many lawyers you could call. But trucking litigation is a specialty that requires deep pockets and deep experience. You wouldn’t go to a family doctor for brain surgery; don’t go to a general practice lawyer for an 18-wheeler wreck.
A Proven Track Record of Success
With over $50 million recovered for injury victims, our numbers speak for themselves. We are Million Dollar Members of the Trial Lawyers Achievement Association. Whether it’s the $10 million lawsuit we are currently litigating against a major university or the BP refinery explosion cases we handled years ago, we have the “heavy lifting” experience needed for Scurry County trucking cases.
We Treat You Like Family
As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We know that after a crash, you aren’t just looking for a check; you’re looking for stability. We help our clients find the best medical specialists and provide regular updates so you never feel left in the dark.
Former Insurance Defense Strategy
We don’t get bullied by insurance companies because we know what happens in their boardrooms. Having Lupe Peña on your team means we can anticipate their next move before they even make it. We speak their language, and we know exactly how to break through their “denial” phase.
Contact a Scurry County Truck Accident Lawyer 24/7
The trucking company’s legal team is already working. Their adjusters are already looking for ways to blame you. Their experts are already erasing the data that proves their negligence. What are you doing?
You didn’t ask for this life-changing event, but you have to decide how you will respond to it. You can let the insurance company push you around, or you can hire a firm that pushes back harder. Since 1998, Ralph Manginello and his team have been the shield for families in crisis. We bring federal court experience, multi-million dollar results, and a fighter’s mentality to every case in Scurry County.
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
We are available 24/7 to answer your call. Whether you are at a hospital in Lubbock, at home in Snyder, or grieving a loss in Hermleigh, we will come to you. Don’t let a corporate giant walk away from the damage they’ve done. Your fight for justice starts with one phone call.
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