Your Town of Valentine Truck Accident Resource: Fighting for Justice on West Texas Highways

When an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle collides with a passenger car on the long, sun-bleached stretches of US Highway 90 or the nearby I-10 corridor, the results are rarely minor. In a small, close-knit community like the Town of Valentine, a single catastrophic wreck ripples through families and local businesses alike. If you or someone you love is currently sitting in a hospital bed or grieving a sudden loss, you aren’t just looking for a lawyer. You are looking for a lifeline.

At Attorney911, we understand that a truck accident in Jeff Davis County is a legal emergency. Since 1998, our founder Ralph Manginello has stood as a shield for victims against the largest trucking companies and corporate fleets in America. With over 25 years of trial experience and admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Ralph brings a level of federal-court-tested grit to Town of Valentine cases that few firms can match. We aren’t just another law firm; we are a dedicated team that treats our clients like family. As our client Chad Harris once said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

The trucking companies already have their teams on the ground. Within hours of a crash near Valentine, corporate investigators and insurance adjusters are often at the scene, looking for ways to blame you and minimize their payout. Our team at The Manginello Law Firm includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney. He used to work for the very companies we now fight. He knows their playbook, he knows how they hide evidence, and he knows how they value claims. We use that insider knowledge to give you an unfair advantage.

If you’ve been hurt, don’t wait for the evidence to disappear under the West Texas dust. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us nothing upfront and nothing unless we win your case.

The Reality of Commercial Trucking in the Town of Valentine

The Town of Valentine sits at a critical junction of freight and industry. US Highway 90 serves as a primary artery for commercial traffic moving between El Paso and the Big Bend region. Furthermore, our proximity to the Delaware Basin—the western portion of the Permian Basin—means our local roads are constantly shared with heavy oilfield equipment, frac sand haulers, and crude oil tankers.

When you combine high-speed limits, the unforgiving West Texas heat that degrades tires, and drivers pushing through 14-hour shifts to meet delivery quotas, the risk for a catastrophic collision is immense. We know the specific hazards of driving in Jeff Davis County. We know how a sudden dust storm near Valentine can reduce visibility to zero, and we know that many trucking companies fail to train their drivers for these specific desert conditions.

Learn more about the complexities of these cases in our video: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.

Why Time is the Enemy in a Jeff Davis County Truck Wreck

In most car accidents, you have time to think. In a Town of Valentine truck accident, the clock is your greatest enemy. Commercial trucks are equipped with Engine Control Modules (ECM), commonly known as “black boxes.” These devices record your speed, braking patterns, and throttle position in the seconds before impact.

However, black box data in a truck passing through Valentine can be overwritten in as little as 30 days. Similarly, Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data, which proves whether a driver was illegally hauling freight while fatigued, is often only retained for six months per FMCSA regulations. If you wait too long to hire an attorney, the very evidence needed to prove the trucking company broke the law may be gone.

Ralph Manginello and our team move with the same speed as the corporate defense teams. We send formal spoliation letters within 24 to 48 hours of being retained. These legal notices force the trucking company to preserve the black box, maintenance records, and driver qualification files. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, we can pursue sanctions that may lead a jury to assume the evidence was unfavorable to them.

Proving Negligence: The FMCSA Regulatory Framework

Every commercial vehicle operating in or through the Town of Valentine is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations, found in 49 CFR Parts 300-399, are not just “suggestions”—they are federal laws designed to keep our families safe.

When we investigate a crash in Jeff Davis County, we look for specific violations of these rules:

• 49 CFR Part 395 (Hours of Service): This is the most common violation we see. Drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. In the remote stretches near Valentine, drivers often feel pressured to “push through” and falsify their logs. Fatigue is a leading cause of jackknife and head-on collisions.
• 49 CFR Part 391 (Driver Qualification): Trucking companies must verify a driver’s medical certificate and background. If a company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or safety violations to drive through Town of Valentine, they are liable for negligent hiring.
• 49 CFR Part 393 (Vehicle Safety/Cargo): This part covers everything from brake systems to integrated lighting and cargo securement. Many oilfield trucks in West Texas operate with improperly secured loads or faulty brakes that fail on the slight grades of Jeff Davis County.
• 49 CFR Part 382 (Drug and Alcohol Testing): Commercial drivers must pass random and post-accident tests. If a driver involved in a Valentine wreck tests positive, we pursue the company for failing to monitor their workforce.

When these laws are broken, we hold the violators accountable. Our firm has recovered over $50 million for Texas families because we know how to turn these regulatory violations into multi-million dollar settlements.

Accident Types Common in West Texas and the Delaware Basin

Because we serve the Town of Valentine and the surrounding oil patch, we see a diverse range of commercial vehicle accidents. Each has its own unique physics and liability chain.

Oilfield Vehicle Wrecks (Permian/Delaware Basin)

Valentine is located near some of the most intensive oil and gas activity on Earth. We regularly handle cases involving:

• Water Trucks and Crude Tankers: These vehicles have a high center of gravity. If a driver takes a turn too fast on a rural Jeff Davis County road, the liquid “slosh” can cause a deadly rollover.
• Frac Sand Haulers: Often operated by small contractors for larger companies like Halliburton or Schlumberger, these trucks are notoriously overloaded, increasing stopping distances significantly.
• Crew transport vans: 15-passenger vans are prone to rollovers. When a tired crew is driven to a wellsite near Valentine at 4:00 AM, a single moment of inattention can result in a mass-casualty event.

18-Wheeler Jackknife and Rollover Accidents

On US-90, high winds and sudden braking can cause a trailer to swing out perpendicular to the cab. A jackknifed semi can block every lane of traffic, leaving Town of Valentine drivers with no escape route. Similarly, if a truck is loaded top-heavy, it can roll over onto smaller cars, causing catastrophic crushing injuries.

Underride Collisions

Perhaps the most terrifying accident type near Valentine is the underride. This happens when a car slides under the trailer of a truck because the truck lacks proper rear or side guards. These accidents often result in decapitation or fatal head trauma. Under 49 CFR § 393.86, most trailers must have rear impact guards, but side guards are still not federally mandated—though we argue that a company’s failure to install them is a breach of their duty to keep the public safe.

Targeted Corporate Fleet Wrecks (Walmart, Amazon, FedEx)

If you were hit by a branded vehicle in the Town of Valentine, your case changes.

• Walmart: Walmart operates one of the largest private fleets in the world. They are self-insured, meaning they pay out of their own pocket and fight twice as hard to protect their bottom line.
• Amazon: Amazon often uses “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs) to shield themselves from liability. They claim the driver isn’t their employee. We know how to pierce that shield by showing that Amazon controls the routes, the timing, and even monitors the drivers with in-cab cameras.
• FedEx Ground: Similar to Amazon, FedEx Ground uses independent contractors. We use Lupe Peña’s defense-background insights to cut through these corporate structures and find the insurance money you deserve.

The Liability Web: Who is Responsible for Your Injuries?

Most people assume only the driver is at fault. In a Town of Valentine truck accident, we often find that a dozen different entities share the blame. Maximizing your recovery depends on identifying every one of them:

1. The Driver: For direct negligence like speeding or distraction.
2. The Trucking Company: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, they are responsible for their employees’ actions.
3. The Oilfield Operator: If an ExxonMobil or Chevron contractor causes an accident near Valentine, the oil company may be liable for negligent contractor selection.
4. The Cargo Loader: If shifting freight caused a rollover.
5. The Maintenance Company: If brake failure or a tire blowout was preventable through proper service.
6. The Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a known bad safety rating.
7. The Rental Company: If a U-Haul or Penske truck was rented to an obviously unqualified driver.
8. Government Entities: If poor road design on a Jeff Davis County highway contributed to the crash.

By identifying multiple liable parties, we can “stack” insurance policies. While a small contractor might only have the $750,000 federal minimum, a corporate parent or oil operator may have tens of millions in umbrella coverage.

For more on this, watch our video: “Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0MT3CKbUb4.

Catastrophic Injuries and the Cost of a Lifetime

A collision with a commercial vehicle isn’t a “fender bender.” It’s a life-altering event. We represent Town of Valentine residents facing the most serious injuries known to medicine:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): The force of a truck impact causes the brain to slam against the skull. This results in cognitive loss, personality changes, and a lifetime of specialized care. Our firm has secured TBI settlements ranging from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Paralysis brings millions of dollars in lifetime costs for home modifications, medical equipment, and 24/7 nursing. Settlement ranges for these cases often sit between $4.7 million and $25.8 million.
• Amputations: Often caused by the crushing weight of a truck, loss of a limb requires expensive prosthetics and constant rehabilitation. We’ve seen amputation settlements from $1.9 million to $8.6 million.
• Wrongful Death: If you have lost a family member in a Valentine wreck, you are entitled to recover lost future income, burial expenses, and compensation for the loss of companionship. Our wrongful death recoveries have reached as high as $9.5 million.

We don’t just calculate your current bills. We look at your future. We hire life care planners and economists to project what your injury will cost you for the next 40 years. We fight for “every dime you deserve,” as our client Glenda Walker stated.

Handling the Insurance Company: Why Your Words Matter

After an accident in Valentine, an insurance adjuster will call you. They may sound friendly, but their goal is to get you to say three things: “I’m okay,” “I didn’t see him coming,” or “I’m sorry.” Any of these can be used to destroy your claim under Texas’s comparative negligence laws.

In Texas, if you are found more than 50% at fault for an accident near Valentine, you recover exactly zero dollars. The insurance company will dig through your social media, look for “gaps in treatment,” and try to claim your herniated disc was a “pre-existing condition.”

This is where Lupe Peña’s background is your greatest asset. He knows how they use algorithms to lowball you. He knows when they are bluffing about a “final offer.” When we represent you, the insurance company is prohibited from contacting you directly. We handle the dirty work so you can handle your recovery.

Watch our guide on what not to tell them: “What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UKRbFprB0E.

The Town of Valentine Truck Accident FAQ

How long do I have to file a claim in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if your accident involved a government vehicle in Jeff Davis County, you may have much shorter notice deadlines—sometimes just six months. You should always contact us immediately to avoid missing a critical date.

What if I was partially at fault for the crash?
You can still recover. As long as you are not 51% or more at fault, you can recover damages. Your total settlement will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. If the jury finds you 10% responsible for a crash near Valentine, you still receive 90% of the award.

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Nothing upfront. We work on a 33.33% contingency fee (pre-trial). If we don’t win, you don’t owe us an attorney fee. We take the financial risk so that every family in the Town of Valentine can afford top-tier legal representation.

Is an 18-wheeler wreck different from a car accident case?
Vastly. A car accident case usually involves state law and one insurance policy. A truck accident near Valentine involves federal FMCSA regulations, OSHA rules (for oilfields), black box data, multiple defendants, and massive insurance layers. You need a specialist, not a generalist.

Will I have to go to court in Jeff Davis County?
Most cases settle out of court, but we prepare every file as if we are walking into the courthouse tomorrow. When trucking companies know we are ready for trial, they are much more likely to offer a fair settlement.

Our Proven Track Record Against Corporate Power

We have gone head-to-head with some of the biggest corporations on the planet—Walmart, Amazon, Coca-Cola, BP—and we’ve made them pay. Their fleet of lawyers doesn’t intimidate us. Whether we are litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit or fighting a multinational oil company for a refinery explosion, we bring the same relentless energy.

In one case, we secured over $5 million for a traumatic brain injury victim. In another, we recovered $3.8 million for a client who underwent an amputation following a crash. We’ve seen what these companies do to avoid responsibility, and we know how to stop them.

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.” If other firms have turned you down, or if you feel like the insurance company is “playing games,” give us a call. We solve in months what others do nothing about in years.

Your Next Steps: Protecting Your Future

The Town of Valentine is a place of resilience and strength, but no one should have to face a multinational trucking corporation alone. Your life changed in an instant on a West Texas road. The medical bills are piling up, you can’t work, and the pain is constant.

What you do in the next 48 hours will define your future. Will you let the trucking company control the narrative, or will you take control of your justice?

At Attorney911, we are the legal emergency lawyers. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and start the investigation into your Jeff Davis County truck wreck.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Don’t wait until the black box is erased. Don’t wait until the trucking company hides the truth. Your fight starts with one call. We answer. We fight. We win.

Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 or (888) 288-9911. Your free consultation is waiting.

Complete Guide to Commercial Vehicle Types and Liability

While the 18-wheeler is the most common heavyweight on the road, our firm also handles the diverse array of commercial vehicles that provide services to the big bend region. Each of these requires a specialized legal approach.

Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers

Common in Jeff Davis County construction projects, these trucks are incredibly dangerous due to their weight. A loaded concrete mixer can weigh 70,000 pounds. Because of the liquid nature of the concrete, they are highly prone to rollovers on curves. If a dump truck from a nearby quarry causes an accident because of an unsecured load, the construction company, the hauling contractor, and the driver may all be liable.

Garbage and Waste Trucks

These vehicles operate in Valentine neighborhoods and on our city streets. They have massive blind spots. Garbage trucks are a leading cause of pedestrian and cyclist accidents because drivers are often rushing to meet strict route quotas. If a waste management company failed to equip the truck with backup cameras or proximity sensors, they are responsible for the damage.

Rental and Moving Trucks (U-Haul, Penske)

This is a unique hazard. U-Haul and Penske rent 26-foot trucks to people who have zero commercial driving experience. No CDL is required for these vehicles, yet they are 10 times heavier than a car. If a rental company “entrusted” a massive vehicle to an obviously inexperienced or impaired driver who then hit you near Valentine, we can sue the rental giant for negligent entrustment.

Public Transit and School Buses

When a bus carrying our children or neighbors is involved in a wreck, the liability often falls on the school district or a government transit agency. These cases are governed by the Texas Tort Claims Act, which has very strict rules. You must file a notice of claim almost immediately, or you lose your right to sue a government entity.

Delivery Vans (Amazon, FedEx, UPS)

The “last mile” delivery surge has put thousands of vans on our roads. Amazon drivers are tracked by the second. When that pressure to deliver 300 packages in a shift causes a driver to blow through a stop sign in Valentine, the corporate parent who created that impossible schedule is a target for our litigation.

Understanding Your Damage Recovery

If you are a victim of a truck accident in Jeff Davis County, you are entitled to two main types of compensation:

Economic Damages:
These are your “out of pocket” losses. They include every ambulance bill from Valentine, every surgery in El Paso, every prescription, and every dollar of income you lost because you couldn’t get to work. If you need a wheelchair-accessible van or home modifications, those are included. We use forensic accountants to ensure your lost retirement benefits and 401k matches are also compensated.

Non-Economic Damages:
This is the “human cost” of the wreck. It is the pain that keeps you up at night. It is the “loss of enjoyment of life” because you can no longer hike in the Davis Mountains or play catch with your kids. It is the mental anguish and PTSD that makes you terrified to drive on US-90. While insurance adjusters call this “subjective,” we know it is the most real part of your injury.

Learn how we value these losses in our video: “How Do Car Insurance Companies Calculate Pain and Suffering?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EE9AWT12Kg.

The Graves Amendment and Rental Truck Liability

If you were hit by a rental truck in Valentine, the rental company will likely cite the “Graves Amendment” (49 U.S.C. § 30106). This federal law generally protects rental companies from being sued just because they own the truck. However, at Attorney911, we know the exceptions. If the rental company failed to maintain the truck’s brakes or rented to a driver with a suspended license, the Graves Amendment does not protect them. We find the cracks in their defense.

Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and the USPS

If a mail truck from the Valentine Post Office causes an accident, you are suing the United States Government. This falls under the Federal Tort Claims Act. You cannot just file a lawsuit; you must file a “Standard Form 95” with the government within two years. There is no jury in these cases—a federal judge decides your fate. This is not the time for a “neighborhood lawyer.” This requires an attorney with federal court experience like Ralph Manginello.

Vulnerable Road Users: Motorcyclists, Pedestrians, and Cyclists

If you were walking, cycling, or riding a motorcycle in Town of Valentine and were hit by a truck, your injuries are almost certainly catastrophic. You had zero protection against 80,000 pounds of steel. Trucking companies often try to blame motorcyclists for “weaving” or pedestrians for “not wearing reflective gear.” We reject those excuses. Truckers have a “heightened duty” to watch for vulnerable road users. We hold them to that professional standard.

We Are Your Town of Valentine Legal Emergency Team

The days following a truck wreck are a blur of pain, phone calls, and fear. Let us shoulder the burden. We have the resources to hire the best accident reconstruction experts and the medical specialists needed to prove your case.

Remember, the trucking company has their lawyers. You deserve yours.

Contact Attorney911 today. 1-888-ATTY-911. 24/7 availability. No fee unless we win.

Summary of Mandatory Proof Points for Valentine Victims:

• Ralph Manginello: 25+ years of aggressive litigation experience.
• Lupe Peña: Former insurance defense attorney—he knows their secrets.
• Results: Over $50 million recovered for families across Texas.
• Experience: Litigated against Walmart, Amazon, BP, and the biggest oil operators.
• Accessibility: We give you our cell phone numbers. You are family to us.
• Urgency: We send preservation letters within 24 hours to save black box data.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Your road to recovery starts here.