A personal injury lawsuit has been filed in Harris County, Texas, against UniMod Logistics, LLC and Manuel Almaguer following a rear-end collision that allegedly caused serious injuries to a worker delivering mail for the United States Postal Service. The petition states the crash occurred on January 17, 2023, as traffic traveled eastbound on Highway 90 in Houston, Texas.
According to the petition, the injured driver’s vehicle stalled on the highway, leaving her stranded. The petition alleges she activated her hazard lights to warn approaching traffic. The lawsuit claims the driver operating a vehicle provided by UniMod Logistics failed to maintain awareness of the vehicles ahead and violently struck the rear of the stalled vehicle.
The petition further alleges that the investigating officer determined Manuel Almaguer was solely at fault, citing a faulty evasive maneuver as the only contributing factor and identifying no other contributing factors. The Plaintiff is represented by Marcus Spagnoletti and Eric Rhine of the Spagnoletti Law Firm.
Allegations Against the Defendants
The lawsuit claims the injuries were caused by the negligence and gross negligence of UniMod Logistics, LLC and Manuel Almaguer.
The petition alleges UniMod Logistics failed to operate its trucking activities safely and failed to take reasonable steps to protect other motorists. The lawsuit claims UniMod Logistics was negligent in ways that include failures related to training, supervision, load transport practices, and compliance with driver qualification requirements.
As to the driver, the lawsuit claims Manuel Almaguer failed to drive with ordinary care and alleges multiple unsafe acts, including failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to take reasonable precautions, traveling at an excessive speed, failing to timely brake, failing to maintain awareness of surrounding traffic, and driving while distracted.
The petition also references Texas Transportation Code § 545.351 regarding speed control and alleges the driver failed to control speed to avoid a collision.
Why Rear-End Truck Crashes Can Be So Dangerous
A rear-end collision involving a commercial truck can cause severe injuries even at moderate speeds, particularly when a smaller vehicle is struck from behind. These crashes often involve forceful impacts that can lead to long-term physical impairment, missed time from work, and substantial medical care.
When a vehicle becomes disabled on a roadway, risk escalates quickly. Drivers in commercial vehicles are expected to maintain safe following distances, scan ahead for hazards, and react appropriately when traffic conditions change. The petition alleges that did not occur here.
The traffic volume and speed differentials on major corridors can increase the risks of 18-wheeler accidents in Houston, particularly when a vehicle becomes unexpectedly disabled and approaching drivers fail to respond safely.
Investigation and Evidence in Truck Crash Lawsuits
In a trucking case, early investigation can shape the outcome. Obtaining the accident report is often the starting point, but it is typically only one piece of the puzzle.
Other key evidence can include vehicle inspections, scene documentation, dash camera footage, witness statements, electronic data, and company records that reflect how the driver was trained and supervised. In some cases, a crash reconstruction analysis may be used to evaluate speed, braking, impact angles, and whether a safe evasive response was possible.
Where available, surveillance video from nearby businesses or roadway cameras may help confirm traffic conditions and driver behavior leading up to the impact. If there is concern that important materials could be lost, truck accident attorneys may send a preservation letter to demand that records and data be retained.
Damages Claimed in the Lawsuit
The petition seeks recovery for a range of damages, including past and future physical pain, mental anguish, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, physical impairment, past and future medical expenses, and disfigurement.
In cases like this, damages are often evaluated through both economic damages (such as medical bills and wage loss) and non-economic damages (such as pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life).
Next Steps After a Serious Truck Crash
When a commercial truck crash causes serious injuries, the steps taken early can matter. Medical documentation, witness information, and preservation of records can help clarify what happened and who should be held accountable. The petition in this case alleges the crash resulted from unsafe driving and failures in company safety practices.
Speak With a Truck Accident Attorney
Truck crash cases often require a focused investigation into driver conduct, company safety systems, and documentation that may not be available for long. Spagnoletti Law Firm represents individuals injured in serious commercial vehicle collisions, including claims arising from an 18-wheeler accident.
Our injury attorneys handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. If you have questions about your rights after a serious crash, contact Spagnoletti Law Firm for a confidential consultation at 713-804-9306.
If you prefer, you can also contact us online to discuss the situation and learn more about the legal options that may be available.