18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Somerset County, Maine

When 80,000 Pounds Changes Your Life Forever

The snow was blowing sideways across I-95 near Pittsfield when it happened. Maybe you were driving home from a shift in Madison, heading toward a family dinner in Skowhegan, or just passing through Somerset County on your way to Bangor. The road looked clear enough—Maine winters always do right up until they don’t. Then an 18-wheeler jackknifed in front of you, or slid through an intersection in Fairfield, or perhaps lost control on the black ice near Norridgewock.

In that frozen moment, everything changed.

Somerset County’s mix of interstate highways, rural routes, and harsh New England weather creates uniquely dangerous conditions for commercial trucking. When an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer collides with a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle on icy Route 2 or snow-slick I-95, the physics aren’t fair. The truck wins every time. And while you’re dealing with catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and the trauma of what happened, the trucking company has already dispatched their rapid-response team to protect their interests.

You need someone protecting yours. Immediately.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for truck accident victims across the country, and our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, brings federal court experience and a track record of multi-million dollar verdicts to every case. We know Somerset County’s roads, from the I-95 corridor to the logging routes near Embden and the agricultural haul roads around Pittsfield. More importantly, we know how to beat trucking companies at their own game—because our team includes attorneys like Lupe Peña, who used to work for insurance companies defending these exact cases. Now he fights against them, and that insider knowledge gives you an advantage when it matters most.

The clock is already ticking. Evidence in Somerset County trucking accidents disappears fast—black box data can be overwritten in 30 days, and Maine’s harsh weather washes away tire marks and skid evidence within hours. But within 24 hours of your call to 1-888-ATTY-911, we’ll send preservation letters to lock down every piece of evidence that proves what really happened.

This isn’t just another car accident. This is a commercial trucking case, and that distinction changes everything about how we fight for you.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Somerset County Are Fundamentally Different

The Physics of Devastation

Let’s be blunt about what happens when a fully loaded tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle in Somerset County. That truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds—twenty times what your car weighs. When physics meets biology at 65 miles per hour on I-95 near Waterville, the force transferred to your body is catastrophic.

An 18-wheeler traveling at highway speeds needs nearly two football fields to stop on dry pavement. On Somerset County’s snow-covered or icy roads—common six months of the year—that distance extends even further. When a truck driver following too closely loses control on black ice near Canaan or Skowhegan, there’s no amount of defensive driving that saves you. The truck simply cannot stop in time.

These aren’t accidents. They’re predictable outcomes when trucking companies prioritize profits over safety.

The Regulatory Maze

Every commercial truck operating in Somerset County must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations codified in 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399. These aren’t suggestions—they’re federal laws. When truck drivers violate hours-of-service rules pushed by dispatchers in Portland or Bangor, when they skip pre-trip inspections because it’s twenty below in Pittsfield, or when trucking companies hire unqualified drivers to handle Maine’s winter conditions, they create the conditions for catastrophe.

We know these regulations because we’ve built our practice on holding violators accountable. Our founder, Ralph Manginello, has been admitted to practice in federal court since 1998, giving us direct access to federal jurisdiction when trucking companies operate across state lines—a common scenario on I-95, which carries Canadian freight through Somerset County daily.

Somerset County’s Unique Trucking Risks

Winter Weather and Rural Roads

Somerset County presents a perfect storm of trucking hazards. Our location in central Maine means we get hammered by nor’easters, lake-effect snow, and flash freezes that turn I-95 into a skating rink without warning. The rural nature of our county—sparsely populated areas between Fairfield and the Canadian border—means emergency response times are longer, and the roads seesaw between interstate highways and narrow, winding routes like Route 201 or Route 43.

Logging trucks hauling timber from the forests near Bingham and Moscow create specific dangers. These trucks navigate steep grades, sharp curves, and narrow bridges that test the limits of braking systems. When a logging truck’s brakes fail on a descent or its load shifts on an icy curve near Caratunk, the results are often fatal.

Agricultural trucking adds another layer. During harvest seasons, dairy and potato trucks traverse routes between farms in Pittsfield and processing facilities, sometimes operating on roads not designed for heavy commercial traffic. These seasonal spikes in trucking activity coincide with Maine’s most unpredictable weather months.

The I-95 Corridor

Interstate 95 is the lifeblood of Somerset County’s economy—and its most dangerous roadway for truck accidents. This major freight corridor connects Boston to Bangor and beyond to Canada, carrying everything from consumer goods to hazardous materials through our communities. The stretch between exits 133 and 157 sees heavy truck traffic 24/7, often in conditions that would shut down highways in other states.

Trucking companies know Maine drivers are hardy. They also know that Maine’s modified comparative negligence rules and plaintiff-friendly juries—combined with our nation’s longest statute of limitations for personal injury—make our state a venue where they must take litigation seriously. That’s why they hire local defense firms immediately after accidents in Somerset County.

The Ten Parties We Hold Accountable

Most law firms look at a truck accident and see one defendant: the driver. We see a web of corporate responsibility that often includes ten or more potentially liable parties. In Somerset County trucking accidents, we investigate:

The Driver – For speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or failure to adjust for Maine weather conditions.

The Trucking Company – Under Maine’s vicarious liability laws and the federal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are responsible for their drivers’ negligence. Plus, we scrutinize the company for negligent hiring—did they check if this driver had experience with winter weather? Did they verify his CDL? Did they review his medical certifications required by 49 CFR § 391.41?

The Cargo Owner/Shipper – Companies loading timber, dairy products, or manufactured goods in Somerset County facilities may overload trucks or fail to disclose hazardous materials.

The Loading Company – Third-party loaders who failed to secure cargo properly, violating 49 CFR § 393.100-136 regarding cargo securement. In Maine’s logging industry, improper loading causes rollover accidents when weight shifts on curves.

The Truck Manufacturer – Defective brakes, steering systems, or stability control that fail on Maine’s steep grades.

The Parts Manufacturer – Defective tires that blow out in cold weather, or brake components that fail when repeatedly stressed on mountain descents.

The Maintenance Company – Third-party mechanics who performed negligent brake repairs or tire replacements. In rural Somerset County, some maintenance facilities lack proper equipment for heavy-duty truck inspection required by 49 CFR § 396.

The Freight Broker – The intermediary who booked the load and selected the carrier. Did they verify the trucking company’s safety record? Check their CSA scores? Or did they choose the cheapest bidder regardless of safety?

The Truck Owner – In owner-operator arrangements common in Maine’s independent trucking culture, the vehicle owner may have separate liability for negligent entrustment.

Government Entities – When the Maine Department of Transportation fails to maintain safe road conditions—failing to treat ice on I-95 ramps, inadequate signage on Route 2, or improper work zone setup—they share responsibility for crashes.

Each liable party carries separate insurance coverage. While Maine requires only $750,000 minimum for general freight, commercial policies often stack to $1 million or $5 million when hazardous materials are involved. More defendants mean more insurance pools, which means full compensation for your injuries instead of settlement crumbs.

How Federal Regulations Prove Negligence

Federal law governs every aspect of commercial trucking, and violations of these regulations establish negligence as a matter of law. In Somerset County cases, we focus on:

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395)

Truck drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. And they cannot exceed 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.

Fatigued driving causes 31% of fatal truck crashes. When an 18-wheeler drifts across the center line at 3 AM near Pittsfield, we subpoena Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to prove the driver violated hours-of-service rules. Since December 18, 2017, paper logbooks have been largely replaced by ELDs that automatically record driving time, speed, and location. This data is objective, tamper-resistant, and devastating to trucking companies who claimed their driver was “well-rested.”

Driver Qualification Failures (49 CFR Part 391)

Before a trucking company lets a driver operate an 80,000-pound vehicle through Somerset County, they must verify:

• The driver is at least 21 years old for interstate commerce (18 for intrastate Maine operations only)
• Possesses a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Passes a medical examination certifying physical fitness under § 391.41
• Has a clean driving record for the past 3 years
• Has passed a road test or equivalent training

We subpoena Driver Qualification (DQ) Files to check if the trucking company cut corners. Did they verify this driver could handle winter conditions? Did they check for sleep apnea, which affects reaction times? Did they hire a driver with a history of FMCSA violations? Maine trucking companies who hire unqualified drivers commit negligent hiring, and we make them pay for that choice.

Vehicle Maintenance Failures (49 CFR Part 396)

Trucking companies must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their fleets. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections before every shift, checking brakes, tires, steering mechanisms, lighting, and cargo securement.

Brake problems factor in 29% of large truck crashes. When a truck rear-ends a vehicle on icy I-95 near Fairfield because it couldn’t stop, we subpoena maintenance records. If the company deferred brake repairs to save money, or if the driver skipped his pre-trip inspection required by § 396.13, that negligence becomes the foundation for punitive damages.

Cargo Securement Violations (49 CFR § 393.100-136)

Cargo must be secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g acceleration rearward, and 0.5g lateral force. When logging trucks spill their load on Route 201 or dairy tankers shift weight on curves near Madison, causing rollovers, we examine whether the trucking company followed federal securement standards—or cut corners to save time in Maine’s freezing weather.

Drug and Alcohol Testing (49 CFR Part 382)

Commercial drivers cannot operate with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher—half the limit for passenger vehicles. They cannot use Schedule I controlled substances. Following fatal or serious injury accidents in Somerset County, trucking companies must conduct immediate drug and alcohol testing. We ensure these tests happen and subpoose the results.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol

Here’s what the trucking company doesn’t want you to know: they’re building their defense while you’re in the hospital in Waterville or Augusta. Within hours of a Somerset County accident, the trucking company’s insurer dispatches investigators to photograph the scene, interview witnesses, and download data from the truck’s black box.

Critical evidence disappears fast in Maine:

• ECM/Black Box Data: Overwrites in 30 days or with subsequent driving events
• ELD Logs: Only retained for 6 months under FMCSA regulations
• Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days if not preserved
• Surveillance Video: Businesses along I-95 or Route 2 typically overwrite footage in 7-30 days
• Physical Evidence: Maine’s weather—rain, snow, freezing and thawing—destroys tire marks and debris within days
• Witness Memory: Fades significantly within weeks

When you call 888-ATTY-911 within 48 hours of your Somerset County accident, we immediately send spoliation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. These letters put them on legal notice that destroying evidence constitutes spoliation, which can result in adverse inference instructions (the jury is told to assume destroyed evidence was unfavorable to the trucking company), monetary sanctions, or even default judgment.

We also deploy accident reconstruction experts to Somerset County immediately to photograph the scene, measure skid marks before they melt, and preserve physical evidence before Maine’s next weather system erases it.

Catastrophic Injuries and Your Future

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

When an 80,000-pound truck strikes a passenger vehicle, even with modern safety features, occupants often suffer traumatic brain injuries ranging from concussions to severe diffuse axonal injury. TBI symptoms—confusion, memory loss, personality changes, chronic headaches—may not appear for days or weeks after the accident.

In Somerset County, where access to Level I trauma centers requires transport to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor or Maine Medical Center in Portland, the initial treatment and documentation of TBI is critical. We’ve recovered between $1.5 million and $9.8 million for TBI victims, not because money fixes the injury, but because it provides resources for cognitive rehabilitation, vocational retraining, and lifetime care when a Somerset County resident can no longer work at their previous capacity.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

The sheer force of truck collisions often fractures vertebrae, damaging or severing the spinal cord. Paraplegia (loss of lower body function) and quadriplegia (loss of all four limbs) require lifetime care costing $3.5 million to $5 million or more. Somerset County’s rural nature complicates care—victims often must relocate or modify homes for wheelchair accessibility in areas not designed for disabled accessibility.

Our spinal cord injury settlements—ranging from $4.7 million to $25.8 million—account for home modifications, specialized vehicles, round-the-clock care, and lost earning capacity when a breadwinner can no longer provide for their family in Somerset County’s economy.

Amputation

When a truck’s underride guard fails or a collision crushes a vehicle’s cabin, victims may suffer traumatic amputation at the scene or require surgical amputation due to crushed limbs. Prosthetics cost $5,000 to $50,000 per unit and require replacement every few years. For a young Somerset County worker, lifetime prosthetic costs alone can exceed $1 million.

We’ve secured $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation victims, ensuring they can afford the latest prosthetic technology and adaptive equipment to maintain independence.

Wrongful Death

Maine’s wrongful death statute allows recovery for funeral expenses, medical costs incurred before death, lost future income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. In Somerset County, where families often rely on a single breadwinner working in logging, manufacturing, or healthcare, the economic impact of losing a parent or spouse is devastating.

Our wrongful death recoveries—ranging from $1.9 million to $9.5 million—provide financial security for families while holding trucking companies accountable for the permanent hole they’ve torn in Somerset County families.

Maine Law: Your Advantage in Somerset County

The Six-Year Statute of Limitations

Maine offers the longest personal injury statute of limitations in the nation: six years from the date of accident. For wrongful death claims, the limit is two years from the date of death. While this gives you more time than most states, waiting is dangerous. Evidence disappears, witnesses move away from Somerset County, and trucking companies destroy records. We recommend contacting an attorney within days, not years.

Modified Comparative Negligence

Maine follows a “50% bar” modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages if you are 49% or less at fault for the accident. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found 20% at fault for speeding on icy I-95, and your damages total $1 million, you recover $800,000. But if you’re found 51% at fault, you recover nothing.

Trucking companies and their insurers often try to shift blame to Somerset County drivers, claiming they drove too fast for conditions or failed to yield. We counter these arguments with ECM data, accident reconstruction, and expert testimony that proves the truck driver or company’s negligence was the primary cause.

No Damage Caps

Unlike some states, Maine does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases. For catastrophic injuries, this means juries can award full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering without arbitrary limits. Additionally, Maine has no statutory cap on punitive damages when trucking companies act with gross negligence or reckless disregard for safety—such as knowingly putting fatigued drivers on the road or falsifying maintenance records.

Our Proven Track Record

Ralph Manginello didn’t just open a law firm—he built Attorney911 to fight for families when corporations cut corners. Since 1998, we’ve recovered over $50 million for injury victims, including:

• $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by falling equipment at a logging operation
• $3.8+ million for a client who suffered partial leg amputation following a car accident and subsequent medical complications
• $2.5+ million for truck accident victims
• $2+ million for a Jones Act maritime worker with a back injury

Our current docket includes a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity for hazing that caused rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, demonstrating our willingness to take on institutional defendants regardless of their size.

But credentials only matter if they get results for you. Our client reviews tell the real story:

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

“They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” – Glenda Walker

“They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” – Angel Walle

Spanish Language Services for Somerset County

Maine’s agricultural and forestry industries rely on immigrant workers, and we believe language should never be a barrier to justice. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation to Somerset County’s Hispanic community without interpreters.

Hablamos Español. Si usted o un ser querido ha sufrido un accidente de camión en Somerset County, llámenos al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratuita.

Frequently Asked Questions About Somerset County Truck Accidents

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Somerset County, Maine?

Maine gives you six years from the accident date for personal injury claims—the longest in the nation. For wrongful death, you have two years from the date of death. However, evidence critical to your case disappears within days. ECM data overwrites in 30 days. We recommend calling 1-888-288-9911 immediately.

What if the trucking company says the accident was my fault because of Maine’s winter weather?

Maine’s weather doesn’t excuse negligent driving. Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 392.14 require commercial drivers to exercise extreme caution in hazardous conditions, including snow, ice, and fog. If a truck driver failed to adjust speed for Somerset County’s winter conditions, violated hours-of-service rules that led to fatigue, or operated with inadequate equipment for Maine weather, they are liable regardless of the road conditions.

Can I afford an attorney after a truck accident in Somerset County?

Yes. Attorney911 works on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery: 33.33% if settled before trial, 40% if we go to trial. You never receive a bill. The trucking company has lawyers working right now. You should too, without worrying about upfront costs.

Who can be sued besides the truck driver?

Potentially ten or more parties: the trucking company (usually the primary defendant with the deepest pockets), the cargo owner/shipper, the loading company, the truck or parts manufacturer, maintenance companies, freight brokers, the truck owner (if different from the company), and government entities if road conditions contributed. We investigate every potential source of recovery.

What is a “spoliation letter” and why do you send it immediately?

A spoliation letter is a formal legal notice demanding preservation of all evidence related to the accident, including ECM/black box data, ELD logs, maintenance records, driver qualification files, and dashcam footage. Once sent, the trucking company has a legal duty to preserve this evidence. Destroying it after receiving our letter results in severe sanctions by Maine courts. We send these within 24 hours of being retained.

How are truck accidents different from car accidents?

Commercial trucks operate under federal regulations that don’t apply to passenger vehicles. They carry $750,000 to $5 million in insurance (compared to Maine’s $50,000/$100,000 minimum for cars). They have black boxes and electronic logs that provide objective accident data. And trucking companies dispatch rapid-response teams immediately after crashes to protect their interests. You need an attorney who understands FMCSA regulations and federal trucking law, not just Maine auto accidents.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Under Maine’s modified comparative negligence law, you can recover as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. We investigate thoroughly to minimize any attribution of fault to you and maximize the trucking company’s responsibility.

How much is my case worth?

Values depend on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, available insurance coverage, and the degree of negligence. Trucking companies carry higher insurance than passenger vehicles, allowing for larger recoveries in catastrophic injury cases. We’ve recovered settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions for Somerset County-area clients. Call for a free evaluation of your specific situation.

What if the trucking company is from out of state?

Most trucking accidents on Somerset County’s I-95 corridor involve interstate commerce. Ralph Manginello’s admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and our firm’s experience with interstate trucking law means we can pursue out-of-state companies regardless of where they’re headquartered. Federal jurisdiction often applies, putting the case in federal court where we’re experienced litigators.

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?

No. Never give a recorded statement to any insurance company without your attorney present. Adjusters are trained to minimize your claim and may use your words against you. As client Glenda Walker noted, we “fight for every dime”—but we can’t do that if you’ve already compromised your case by speaking to adjusters without counsel.

Your Next Move

You’re dealing with enough right now—the physical pain, the medical appointments in Bangor or Augusta, the worry about bills piling up while you can’t work. The trucking company hopes you’ll wait, that you’ll settle for their lowball offer before you know the full extent of your injuries, or that Maine’s six-year statute of limitations will lull you into complacency while they destroy the evidence that proves their negligence.

Don’t let them win.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. That’s 1-888-288-9911. We’re available 24/7 because truck accidents don’t happen on business hours. When you call, you speak directly to our team—not a call center in another state. We’ll listen to what happened on that Somerset County road, explain your rights under Maine and federal law, and if we’re the right fit for your case, we’ll immediately begin preserving the evidence that proves the trucking company broke the rules.

Ralph Manginello has fought for injury victims since 1998—over 25 years of making corporations pay when they hurt innocent people. Lupe Peña knows the insurance defense playbook because he used to run it. Together, we’ve recovered millions for families torn apart by trucking negligence.

You pay nothing unless we win. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by calling. But you have everything to lose by waiting.

1-888-ATTY-911

Hablamos Español. Llame hoy.