18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Titus County, Texas

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

Every year, thousands of Texas families experience the devastating impact of 18-wheeler accidents on our highways. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a trucking accident in Titus County, you need more than just a lawyer – you need a fighter who understands the complex web of federal regulations, corporate tactics, and medical consequences that follow these catastrophic crashes.

At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for truck accident victims across East Texas for over 25 years. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has federal court experience and has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for families devastated by 18-wheeler crashes. We know Titus County’s trucking corridors, from the distribution centers along Highway 271 to the oil field traffic on FM 1735, and we understand how to hold negligent trucking companies accountable.

Why Titus County Trucking Accidents Are Different

Titus County sits at a critical juncture of East Texas trucking routes. Our location near the intersection of major highways and the proximity to oil field operations create unique risks:

Oil Field Traffic: Heavy equipment and specialized vehicles frequent our roads, creating dangerous conditions
Distribution Hubs: Warehouses and transfer points generate increased truck traffic
Rural Highway Dangers: Long stretches of two-lane roads with limited shoulders create hazards
Seasonal Variations: Weather changes and agricultural harvests affect traffic patterns

The trucking corridors serving Titus County see some of the highest commercial vehicle traffic in East Texas. When accidents happen here, they often involve:

Oil field service trucks
Agricultural equipment haulers
Long-haul trucks traveling between Dallas and Shreveport
Local distribution vehicles serving Mount Pleasant and surrounding communities

The Physics of Trucking Accidents: Why They’re So Deadly

The massive size and weight disparity between 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles makes these accidents particularly devastating:

Weight: A fully loaded truck can weigh 80,000 pounds – 20-25 times heavier than your car
Stopping Distance: At 65 mph, a truck needs 525 feet to stop – nearly two football fields
Impact Force: The kinetic energy of a truck at highway speeds is 80 times greater than a passenger vehicle
Trailer Dynamics: Trailers can swing out, jackknife, or separate from the cab

This physics explains why trucking accidents in Titus County so often result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Titus County

1. Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations

Federal regulations limit how long truck drivers can operate to prevent fatigue-related crashes. The Hours of Service (HOS) rules include:

11-Hour Driving Limit: Maximum 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
14-Hour On-Duty Window: Cannot drive beyond 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
30-Minute Break Rule: Mandatory break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
60/70-Hour Weekly Limit: 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days
34-Hour Restart: Can reset weekly clock with 34 consecutive hours off

How We Prove Fatigue Violations:

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data showing driving time
Dispatch records showing unrealistic delivery schedules
GPS tracking data revealing excessive driving hours
Driver qualification files showing pattern of violations
Cell phone records showing late-night communications

2. Improper Cargo Securement

Cargo securement violations are among the most common FMCSA violations we find in Titus County trucking accidents. Federal regulations (49 CFR § 393.100-136) require:

Cargo must be contained, immobilized, or secured to prevent shifting
Securement systems must withstand 0.8g deceleration (sudden stop)
Minimum number of tiedowns based on cargo length and weight
Specific requirements for different cargo types (logs, metal coils, machinery, etc.)

Common Securement Failures:

Inadequate number of tiedowns
Worn or damaged straps and chains
Improper load distribution
Failure to use blocking or bracing
Overloaded trailers exceeding weight ratings

3. Brake Failures and Maintenance Neglect

Brake problems are a factor in approximately 29% of large truck crashes. Federal regulations require:

Systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance (49 CFR § 396.3)
Pre-trip and post-trip inspections (49 CFR § 396.13)
Annual inspections (49 CFR § 396.17)
Proper brake adjustment within specifications

How We Prove Brake Negligence:

Maintenance records showing deferred repairs
Inspection reports documenting brake violations
Post-crash brake system analysis
Driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs)
Out-of-service orders for brake violations

4. Tire Blowouts

Tire failures cause thousands of trucking accidents annually. Common causes include:

Underinflation causing overheating
Overloading exceeding tire capacity
Worn or aged tires not replaced
Road debris punctures
Manufacturing defects
Improper tire matching on dual wheels

Federal Tire Requirements (49 CFR § 393.75):

Minimum tread depth: 4/32″ on steer tires, 2/32″ on other positions
No visible cord or fabric
No bulges or cuts exposing ply or belt material
No audible air leaks

5. Distracted Driving

Federal regulations prohibit truck drivers from using hand-held mobile devices while driving (49 CFR § 392.82). Distractions include:

Texting while driving
Using hand-held phones
Eating or drinking
Using dispatch communications
Adjusting GPS or other electronics

How We Prove Distraction:

Cell phone records showing calls or texts at time of accident
Dashcam footage
GPS tracking data showing erratic driving patterns
Witness statements
Electronic control module (ECM) data

6. Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)

Trucks need significant space to complete turns. Wide turn accidents occur when:

Truck swings wide before making a right turn
Passenger vehicle enters the gap created
Truck completes turn, crushing the smaller vehicle

Common Locations in Titus County:

Highway 271 at intersections in Mount Pleasant
FM 1735 intersections near oil field access points
Highway 49 intersections
Urban areas with tight turns

7. Underride Collisions

Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a truck’s trailer. These are among the most deadly trucking accidents:

Rear Underride: Vehicle strikes back of trailer
Side Underride: Vehicle impacts side of trailer during lane changes or turns

Federal Requirements:

Rear impact guards required on trailers manufactured after 1/26/1998 (49 CFR § 393.86)
Guards must prevent underride at 30 mph impact
NO federal requirement for side underride guards

8. Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents occur when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab. Common causes:

Sudden or improper braking
Wet or icy roads
Empty or lightly loaded trailers
Improperly loaded cargo
Brake system failures

9. Rollovers

Rollovers occur when trucks tip onto their sides or roofs. Common causes:

Speeding on curves or ramps
Taking turns too sharply
Improperly secured cargo shifting
Liquid cargo “slosh” changing center of gravity
Overcorrection after tire blowout or lane departure

Catastrophic Injuries from Titus County Trucking Accidents

The extreme forces involved in 18-wheeler accidents cause injuries far more severe than typical car crashes:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Mild (Concussion): Headaches, confusion, brief loss of consciousness
Moderate: Extended unconsciousness, memory problems, cognitive deficits
Severe: Extended coma, permanent cognitive impairment
Lifetime Care Costs: $85,000 to $3,000,000+

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

Paraplegia: Loss of function below the waist
Quadriplegia: Loss of function in all four limbs
Incomplete Injury: Some nerve function remains
Complete Injury: Total loss of sensation and movement
Lifetime Care Costs: $1.1 million to $5 million+

Amputations

Traumatic Amputation: Limb severed at the scene
Surgical Amputation: Limb removed due to severe damage
Ongoing Needs: Prosthetics, rehabilitation, psychological counseling
Lifetime Costs: $500,000 to $1.5 million

Severe Burns

Causes: Fuel tank ruptures, chemical spills, electrical fires
Classification: First to fourth degree
Treatment: Skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, long-term care
Lifetime Costs: $1 million to $10 million+

Internal Organ Damage

Liver lacerations
Spleen damage
Kidney injuries
Lung contusions
Internal bleeding

Wrongful Death

Damages Available: Lost future income, loss of consortium, funeral expenses, medical expenses before death, pain and suffering, punitive damages

Who Is Liable for Your Titus County Trucking Accident?

18-wheeler accidents involve multiple potentially liable parties:

The Truck Driver
- Speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment
- Failure to conduct proper inspections
- Violation of traffic laws
The Trucking Company / Motor Carrier
- Vicarious Liability: Responsible for driver’s negligent acts
- Negligent Hiring: Hiring unqualified drivers
- Negligent Training: Inadequate safety training
- Negligent Supervision: Failing to monitor driver behavior
- Negligent Maintenance: Poor vehicle upkeep
- Negligent Scheduling: Pressuring drivers to violate HOS
Cargo Owner / Shipper
- Providing improper loading instructions
- Failing to disclose hazardous nature of cargo
- Requiring overweight loading
- Pressuring carrier to expedite beyond safe limits
Cargo Loading Company
- Improper cargo securement (49 CFR 393 violations)
- Unbalanced load distribution
- Exceeding vehicle weight ratings
Truck and Trailer Manufacturer
- Design defects (brake systems, stability control, fuel tank placement)
- Manufacturing defects (faulty welds, component failures)
- Failure to warn of known dangers
Parts Manufacturer
- Defective brakes or brake components
- Defective tires causing blowouts
- Defective steering mechanisms
- Defective lighting components
Maintenance Company
- Negligent repairs that failed to fix problems
- Failure to identify critical safety issues
- Improper brake adjustments
- Using substandard or wrong parts
Freight Broker
- Negligent selection of carrier with poor safety record
- Failure to verify carrier insurance and authority
- Failure to check carrier CSA scores
Truck Owner (If Different from Carrier)
- Negligent entrustment of vehicle
- Failure to maintain owned equipment
- Knowledge of driver’s unfitness
Government Entity
- Dangerous road design
- Failure to maintain roads
- Inadequate signage
- Improper work zone setup

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol

Evidence in trucking accident cases disappears quickly. Trucking companies have rapid-response teams that begin protecting their interests within hours. If you don’t act immediately, critical evidence will be lost forever.

What Disappears Fast:

ECM/Black Box Data: Overwrites in 30 days or with new driving events
ELD Data: May be retained only 6 months
Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
Surveillance Video: Business cameras typically overwrite in 7-30 days
Witness Memory: Fades significantly within weeks
Physical Evidence: Vehicle may be repaired, sold, or scrapped

Our Immediate Actions:

Send Spoliation Letters within 24-48 hours
Demand Preservation of ECM, ELD, maintenance records
Secure Physical Evidence before repair or disposal
Obtain Police Reports and 911 call recordings
Canvass Scene for security camera footage
Photograph All Damage and road conditions
Interview Witnesses before memories fade
Hire Accident Reconstruction Experts

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Titus County Trucking Case?

1. 25+ Years of Trucking Litigation Experience

Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. Our firm has handled trucking cases against:

Walmart trucking operations
Coca-Cola distribution vehicles
Amazon delivery trucks
FedEx trucks
UPS trucks
Various commercial trucking companies

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Staff

Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working at a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how insurance companies:

Value claims
Train adjusters
Minimize payouts
Deny legitimate claims
Use claims valuation software like Colossus

This insider knowledge gives our clients a significant advantage in settlement negotiations.

3. Federal Court Experience

Ralph Manginello is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This federal court access is critical for:

Interstate trucking cases
Complex multi-party litigation
Cases involving federal regulations
High-value cases

4. Multi-Million Dollar Results

While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, our firm has recovered:

$5+ Million – Logging Brain Injury Settlement
$3.8+ Million – Car Accident Amputation Settlement
$2+ Million – Maritime Back Injury Settlement
$2.5M – Truck Crash Recovery
Millions recovered for families in trucking-related wrongful death cases

5. Local Titus County Knowledge

We understand the unique challenges of trucking cases in East Texas:

Oil field trucking patterns
Agricultural hauling seasons
Local trucking routes and hotspots
Titus County courts and judges
Local trauma centers and medical providers

6. Comprehensive Investigation Resources

We have access to:

Accident reconstruction experts
Trucking industry consultants
Medical specialists
Vocational rehabilitation experts
Economic damage experts
Life care planners

7. Bilingual Services

Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, providing direct representation to Spanish-speaking clients without interpreters. This is particularly important in Titus County, where many trucking industry workers speak Spanish as their primary language.

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratuita.

8. No Fee Unless We Win

We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all costs of investigation and litigation. You never receive a bill from us.

What to Do After a Trucking Accident in Titus County

Immediate Steps:

Call 911 and report the accident
Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor
Document the scene with photos and video
Get trucking company name, DOT number, and driver information
Collect witness contact information
Do NOT give recorded statements to any insurance company
Call an 18-wheeler accident attorney immediately

What NOT to Do:

Don’t admit fault or apologize
Don’t sign anything from the trucking company or their insurance
Don’t post on social media about the accident
Don’t delay medical treatment
Don’t accept quick settlement offers

Frequently Asked Questions About Titus County Trucking Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a trucking accident in Texas?

Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims. However, you should never wait. Evidence disappears quickly in trucking cases. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

How much is my trucking accident case worth?

Case values depend on many factors:

Severity of injuries
Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost income and earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Degree of defendant’s negligence
Insurance coverage available

Trucking companies carry higher insurance ($750,000 minimum, often $1-5 million), allowing for larger recoveries than typical car accidents.

Will my case go to trial?

Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to go to court – and they offer better settlements to clients with trial-ready attorneys.

What if the truck driver says the accident was my fault?

Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system. Even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover compensation. If you’re less than 50% at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Our job is to investigate thoroughly and prove what really happened.

What records should my attorney get from the trucking company?

We pursue:

ECM/Black box data
ELD records
Driver Qualification File
Maintenance records
Inspection reports
Dispatch logs
Drug and alcohol test results
Training records
Cell phone records
Insurance policies
The physical truck and trailer

How do you prove the driver was fatigued?

We use:

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data
Dispatch records showing unrealistic schedules
GPS tracking data
Cell phone records showing late-night communications
Driver qualification files showing pattern of violations
Witness statements about driver behavior

What if the trucking company goes bankrupt?

Even if the trucking company goes out of business, their insurance policy may still provide coverage. We investigate all potential sources of recovery, including:

The trucking company’s liability policy
Trailer interchange coverage
Cargo insurance
Owner-operator’s policy
Excess/umbrella coverage

Can I sue if I was a passenger in the truck?

Yes. If you were injured as a passenger in a commercial truck, you may have claims against:

The truck driver
The trucking company
The cargo owner or shipper
Other negligent parties

What if the truck was carrying hazardous materials?

Accidents involving hazardous materials create additional legal issues:

Higher insurance requirements ($5 million minimum)
Additional regulatory violations
Environmental contamination claims
Increased risk of burn injuries and toxic exposure

How long does a trucking accident case take to resolve?

Timelines vary:

Simple cases with clear liability: 6-12 months
Complex cases with multiple parties: 1-3 years
Cases that go to trial: 2-4 years

Titus County Trucking Corridors: Where Accidents Happen

Titus County’s strategic location creates unique trucking accident risks:

Highway 271

Traffic: Heavy commercial traffic serving Mount Pleasant and surrounding areas
Risk Factors: Narrow lanes, limited shoulders, high-speed traffic
Common Accident Types: Rear-end collisions, rollovers, cargo spills

FM 1735

Traffic: Oil field service trucks, agricultural haulers
Risk Factors: Rural road conditions, heavy equipment, limited visibility
Common Accident Types: Wide turn accidents, rollovers, tire blowouts

Highway 49

Traffic: Regional trucking, local distribution
Risk Factors: Intersections with limited visibility, mixed traffic patterns
Common Accident Types: T-bone collisions, intersection accidents

I-30 Corridor

Traffic: Long-haul trucks traveling between Dallas and Arkansas
Risk Factors: High speeds, driver fatigue, sudden traffic slowdowns
Common Accident Types: Rear-end collisions, jackknife accidents, rollovers

Local Distribution Centers

Locations: Mount Pleasant industrial areas
Risk Factors: Congested parking lots, tight turns, frequent backing maneuvers
Common Accident Types: Backing accidents, blind spot collisions

Our Titus County Trucking Accident Legal Process

1. Free Consultation

24/7 availability
Case evaluation with experienced attorney
No obligation

2. Immediate Investigation

Send spoliation letters within 24-48 hours
Deploy accident reconstruction expert
Obtain police crash report
Photograph client injuries and vehicle damage
Identify all potentially liable parties

3. Evidence Gathering

Subpoena ECM/black box data
Request complete Driver Qualification File
Obtain maintenance and inspection records
Order driver’s Motor Vehicle Record
Subpoena cell phone records
Secure dispatch records and delivery schedules

4. Expert Analysis

Accident reconstruction specialist
Medical experts establish causation
Vocational experts calculate lost earning capacity
Economic experts determine present value of damages
Life care planners develop comprehensive care plans
FMCSA regulation experts identify violations

5. Litigation Strategy

File lawsuit before statute of limitations expires
Pursue aggressive discovery against all parties
Depose truck driver, dispatcher, safety manager
Build case for trial while negotiating settlement

6. Resolution

Negotiate from position of strength
Prepare for trial if necessary
Recover maximum compensation for client

Client Testimonials

“They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
— Glenda Walker, Attorney911 Client

“You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
— Chad Harris, Attorney911 Client

“They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
— Angel Walle, Attorney911 Client

“I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”
— Donald Wilcox, Attorney911 Client

“Ralph reached out personally.”
— Dame Haskett, Attorney911 Client

Contact Attorney911 Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Titus County, call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. Our Titus County trucking accident attorneys offer:

Free case evaluations
24/7 availability
No fee unless we win
Bilingual services (Hablamos Español)
Local knowledge of Titus County courts and trucking routes

Every hour you wait, evidence in your case is disappearing. Black box data can be overwritten. Dashcam footage gets deleted. Witnesses forget what they saw. Call Attorney911 NOW at 1-888-ATTY-911 to protect your rights and preserve your evidence.

Attorney911 – Fighting for Titus County Trucking Accident Victims Since 1998