18-Wheeler & Trucking Accident Lawyers in Wicomico County, Maryland
When Trucks Change Everything on US 13, We’re Wicomico County’s Fighting Attorneys
An 80,000-pound truck doesn’t give you a warning. One minute you’re driving through Salisbury on US 13, the next moment your life is unrecognizable. That is exactly what happens when an 18-wheeler jackknifes on the Route 50 corridor, rolls over carrying poultry feed on the way to Perdue, or takes a wide turn in downtown Fruitland. Wicomico County sits at the crossroads of major Mid-Atlantic freight routes, and catastrophic truck accidents are an unfortunate reality here.
If a trucking accident left you injured anywhere in Wicomico County — whether on the high-speed stretches of US 13 near the Pennsylvania State Line, the agricultural corridors around Willards, or the industrial zones near the Port of Salisbury — you need attorneys who understand both Maryland’s severe contributory negligence laws and the federal regulations that govern these massive vehicles. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable. Our team includes former insurance defense attorney Lupe Peña, who spent years inside the system watching adjusters minimize claims — now he uses that insider knowledge against them.
The evidence is disappearing right now. Black box data overwrites in 30 days. The trucking company already called their lawyer. You need to call ours. 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re available 24/7, and we speak Spanish. Hablamos Español.
Why Wicomico County Sees Devastating 18-Wheeler Accidents
Wicomico County isn’t just another Maryland jurisdiction — it’s a critical freight hub with unique risks. US 13 runs through the heart of the county, serving as a primary north-south artery for commercial traffic moving between the Northeast and the South. US 50 brings massive volumes of truck traffic across the Delmarva Peninsula. Add the county’s agricultural dominance — poultry processing alone generates thousands of heavy truck trips daily — and you have a perfect storm for serious collisions.
The physics alone are terrifying. A fully loaded 18-wheeler traveling 65 mph on US 13 needs approximately 525 feet to stop — nearly the length of two football fields. When these 80,000-pound machines collide with 4,000-pound passenger vehicles on Wicomico County roads, the results are predictably catastrophic.
We see the same patterns here that we fight across the country: drivers pushing past their hours-of-service limits to make deliveries to Ocean City by weekend, poultry trucks overweight with live cargo, and maintenance cutbacks that leave brakes dangerously worn on vehicles traversing the flat but busy Eastern Shore corridors.
Who We Are: The Attorney911 Team Fighting for Wicomico County Families
Ralph Manginello — 25+ Years in the Trenches
Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has built a reputation as an attorney who doesn’t back down from trucking companies — no matter how large. With admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and dual licensure in Texas and New York, he brings federal court experience that matters when trucking cases cross state lines on the busy corridors serving Wicomico County.
Ralph’s track record includes multi-million dollar recoveries for catastrophic injury victims — settlements ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million for traumatic brain injuries, $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputations, and wrongful death recoveries between $1.9 million and $9.5 million. This isn’t his first time facing Fortune 500 defendants — he was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation that resulted in over $2.1 billion in industry-wide settlements.
“When an 18-wheeler hits a family sedan, the trucking company sends lawyers to the scene before the ambulance arrives,” Ralph notes. “You need someone who moves just as fast.”
Lupe Peña — Your Insurance Defense Insider
Our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working at a national insurance defense firm before joining Attorney911. That’s not just a biography fact — that’s your advantage.
Lupe knows exactly how commercial trucking insurers evaluate claims because he used to do it for them. He knows their algorithms, their training manuals for adjusters, and every dirty trick they use to minimize payouts. Now he applies that knowledge to maximize your recovery. As client Mongo Slade put it, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” That client-specific attention comes from Lupe’s understanding that insurance companies hope you’ll settle for pennies.
Lupe is also fluent in Spanish, providing direct representation to Wicomico County’s growing Hispanic community without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-288-9911.
Our Promise: No Fee Unless We Win
We work on contingency — standard 33.33% pre-trial and 40% if your case goes to trial. You pay nothing upfront. We advance all investigation costs. This matters for Wicomico County families dealing with mounting medical bills from Peninsula Regional Medical Center or shock trauma transfers to Baltimore.
As client Donald Wilcox told us: “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” We take the cases other firms reject.
Maryland & Wicomico County Laws That Affect Your Case
Critical Warning: Maryland is a Contributory Negligence State
Unlike most states, Maryland follows pure contributory negligence. If you are found even 1% at fault for the accident, you recover nothing. This makes truck accident cases in Wicomico County particularly high-stakes — the trucking company’s insurance will fight to assign you any portion of blame to avoid payment entirely.
You need an attorney who knows how to document crystal-clear liability. That means preserving ECM data before it overwrites, securing dashcam footage before deletion, and building a case that leaves no room for finger-pointing.
Statute of Limitations in Wicomico County
You have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Maryland. For wrongful death claims, you also have 3 years. That sounds like plenty of time, but critical evidence has much shorter lifespans. Electronic logging device data may only be retained for 6 months. Dashcam footage often deletes after 30 days. Witness memories fade quickly.
We recommend contacting an attorney within 48 hours of the accident.
Federal FMCSA Regulations That Prove Trucking Company Negligence
Commercial trucking isn’t just regulated by Maryland law — it’s governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). When trucking companies violate these regulations, they create automatic liability. Here are the critical rules we investigate in every Wicomico County trucking case:
49 CFR Part 395 — Hours of Service (HOS)
The most commonly violated regulation in fatigue-related crashes:
- 11-Hour Rule: Cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
- 14-Hour Window: Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
- 30-Minute Break: Mandatory after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- 60/70 Hour Weekly Limits: No driving after 60 hours on-duty in 7 days (or 70 hours in 8 days)
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) have been mandatory since December 2017. We subpoena these records immediately to prove violations.
49 CFR Part 393 — Cargo Securement
Poultry trucks and agricultural haulers in Wicomico County often violate these rules:
- Cargo must withstand 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g acceleration rearward, and 0.5g lateral forces
- Minimum tiedown requirements based on cargo length and weight
- Blocking, bracing, and friction mats required for unprotected loads
When a rollover occurs on US 50 because chicken feed shifted, that’s a 49 CFR § 393.100 violation.
49 CFR Part 391 — Driver Qualification
Trucking companies must verify:
- Valid CDL with proper endorsements
- Medical examiner’s certificate (maximum 2-year validity)
- Clean driving record through previous employer verification
- Pre-employment drug testing
Missing Driver Qualification Files prove negligent hiring — a direct path to holding the company liable.
49 CFR Part 392 — Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles
Prohibits:
- Operating while impaired by fatigue (§ 392.3)
- Hand-held mobile phone use (§ 392.82)
- Speeding (§ 392.6)
- Following too closely (§ 392.11)
49 CFR Part 396 — Inspection & Maintenance
Requires systematic maintenance programs. Post-trip inspection reports must cover brakes, steering, lighting, tires, and coupling devices. Deferred maintenance is negligence.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents Common in Wicomico County
Jackknife Accidents (US 13 Corridor)
On the high-speed stretches of US 13 north of Salisbury, jackknife accidents occur when braking or road conditions cause the trailer to swing perpendicular to the cab. This often blocks multiple lanes, creating chain-reaction pileups.
These crashes typically involve:
- Wet roads from Eastern Shore rainstorms
- Inexperienced drivers unfamiliar with Delmarva weather
- Improper braking technique on the flat but slick agricultural roads
Evidence we gather: ECM data showing brake application timing, maintenance records for brake systems, weather reports from the Wicomico County airport.
Rollover Accidents (Poultry Corridor)
Wicomico County is poultry country. Trucks carrying live chickens, feed, or processing materials have high centers of gravity. When these trucks take curves too quickly on county roads or encounter sudden stops on US 50, rollovers occur.
Critical factor: Improper loading and cargo securement under 49 CFR § 393. Substances like grain or feed can “slosh,” shifting the center of gravity.
Underride Collisions (Night Driving on US 113)
US 113 serves as a major route to Ocean City, with heavy truck traffic during tourist season. Underride accidents — where passenger vehicles slide under trailers — are particularly deadly. While rear underride guards are required under 49 CFR § 393.86, side underride guards are not federally mandated, despite causing horrific decapitations.
Rear-End Collisions (Becoming Common on US 13)
Following-too-closely violations under 49 CFR § 392.11. A truck tailgating passenger vehicles on the 65-mph stretches of US 13 cannot stop in time when traffic slows for the Route 50 interchange.
Wide Turn Accidents (Downtown Salisbury)
The “squeeze play” occurs when trucks swing wide to make right turns in downtown Salisbury or Fruitland, crushing vehicles that enter the gap. Inadequate mirrors and failure to signal compound the danger.
Tire Blowout Accidents
Summer heat on Delmarva Peninsula highways causes tire failures. Trucks with underinflated tires or worn treads (violating 49 CFR § 393.75) shed tire treads (“gators”) that strike following vehicles or cause drivers to swerve into other lanes.
Brake Failure Accidents
Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes. Poor maintenance under 49 CFR Part 396 and inadequate pre-trip inspections cause catastrophic failures when trucks descend the few elevated ramps in the county or approach stoplights on high-speed roads.
The 10 Potentially Liable Parties in Wicomico County Truck Accidents
Most firms only sue the driver and trucking company. We investigate every possible defendant because more defendants mean more insurance coverage:
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The Truck Driver — Direct negligence (fatigue, distraction, impairment, traffic violations)
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The Trucking Company/Motor Carrier — Vicarious liability under respondeat superior, plus direct negligence for:
- Negligent hiring (failed background checks)
- Negligent training (inadequate safety instruction)
- Negligent supervision (ignoring ELD violations)
- Negligent maintenance (deferring brake repairs)
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Cargo Owner/Shipper — Perdue Farms or other agricultural companies that overload vehicles or pressure drivers to meet processing schedules
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Loading Company — Third-party facilities that improperly secure loads or distribute weight unevenly
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Truck/Trailer Manufacturer — Design defects in braking systems, stability control, or underride guards
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Parts Manufacturer — Defective tires, brake components, or steering mechanisms
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Maintenance Company — Third-party mechanics who performed negligent repairs on trucks servicing the Wicomico County area
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Freight Broker — Third-party logistics companies that selected carriers with poor safety records to handle Delmarva routes
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Truck Owner — In owner-operator arrangements, separate liability for negligent entrustment
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Government Entity — Wicomico County or State Highway Administration for dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain safe conditions on busy corridors
Catastrophic Injuries Requiring Maximum Compensation
The settlement ranges we’ve secured for Wicomico County area clients reflect the life-altering nature of trucking injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injury ($1.5M — $9.8M+)
Concussions to severe TBI causing permanent cognitive impairment. Many victims require lifelong care and cannot return to work on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Amputation ($1.9M — $8.6M)
Whether traumatic amputation at the scene or surgical removal due to crushing injuries. Prosthetics, home modifications, and career changes drive these values higher.
Spinal Cord Injury ($4.7M — $25.8M+)
Paraplegia or quadriplegia from the massive forces involved. Lifetime care costs for quadriplegia can exceed $5 million.
Severe Burns
Truck fires from fuel tank ruptures or hazardous material spills (particularly on industrial routes near Salisbury) cause third and fourth-degree burns requiring multiple grafts and reconstruction.
Wrongful Death ($1.9M — $9.5M)
When families lose loved ones in accidents on US 13 or Route 50, we pursue full compensation for lost income, loss of consortium, and mental anguish.
Immediate Evidence Preservation: The 48-Hour Rule
Trucking companies have rapid-response teams that deploy within hours of accidents throughout Wicomico County. While you’re being treated at Peninsula Regional Medical Center or airlifted to Johns Hopkins, they’re building their defense.
Critical evidence that disappears fast:
- ECM/Black Box Data: Overwrites in 30 days or with new ignition cycles
- ELD Records: Required retention is only 6 months; crucial for proving fatigue
- Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
- Driver Qualification Files: Companies “lose” these when subpoenas arrive
- Maintenance Records: Critical for brake failure and tire blowout cases
Our Immediate Action:
When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we send spoliation letters to the trucking company, insurer, and all potentially liable parties within 24 hours. This puts them on notice that destruction of evidence will result in court sanctions, adverse inference instructions (“the jury must assume the destroyed evidence was unfavorable”), and potential punitive damages.
We also deploy investigators to photograph the scene at the intersection of US 13 and Route 50, the poultry processing facilities, or wherever the accident occurred before skid marks fade and debris is cleared.
Frequently Asked Questions: Wicomico County Truck Accidents
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Wicomico County?
Maryland gives you 3 years for personal injury and wrongful death claims. However, evidence preservation demands action within 48 hours. Call 1-888-288-9911 immediately.
Can I recover if I was partially at fault?
Probably not. Maryland’s contributory negligence rule bars recovery if you are even 1% at fault. This is exactly why you need an attorney who can prove 100% liability — we cannot let the trucking company shift any blame to you.
What if the trucking company is from out of state?
Many trucks on US 13 and US 50 are based in Pennsylvania, Delaware, or Virginia. We have offices in multiple states and federal court admission, allowing us to pursue these companies regardless of where they’re headquartered.
Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies know which attorneys actually try cases — and they pay those attorneys’ clients more. We recently secured a $10 million litigation position against a major university defendant, demonstrating our willingness to take on powerful institutions.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
We work with medical providers throughout Wicomico County and the Delmarva Peninsula who accept Letters of Protection (LOP) — you get treatment now and they get paid from your settlement.
Hablamos Español?
Sí. Lupe Peña, nuestro abogado asociado, habla español fluente. No necesita intérpretes. Llamenos al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Client Success Stories
Chad Harris: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
Donald Wilcox: “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.”
Glenda Walker: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Kiimarii Yup: “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”
Ernest Cano: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
Angel Walle: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
Contact Attorney911 for Wicomico County Truck Accidents
We’re not just waiting for your call — we’re preparing to fight.
The trucking company that hurt you has lawyers working right now. You need someone working just as hard for you. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas — plus federal court admission allowing us to handle Maryland cases — we bring Big Law experience with small-firm personal attention to Wicomico County families.
Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Hablamos Español: Lupe Peña available immediately
Free Consultation. No Fee Unless We Win. Evidence Preservation Begins Today.
Attorney911 — Because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with it. When the truck changes your life, we change the outcome.
