San Antonio 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers

Most Common Causes of San Antonio 18-Wheeler Accidents

There are nearly 40,000 commercial vehicle accidents reported in San Antonio every year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, these types of crashes resulted in 613 deaths in 2019 alone. 18-wheeler accidents have many causes, and a single accident may have multiple causes. No matter the cause, when an accident does occur, the results can be life-threatening. Among the most common causes of 18-wheeler accidents in San Antonio are:

• Driver drowsiness and fatigue
  • Commercial truck drivers are responsible for complying with regulations pertaining to their hours of service, ensuring drivers receive enough sleep and rest to safely operate their vehicles.
• Dangerous lane changes
• Improper turns
• Distracted driving
• Unsafe following distance
• Failure to control speed
• Aggressive driving
• Improperly maintained vehicles and equipment
• Poor or improper training

If you were hit by an 18-wheeler, our San Antonio 18-wheeler crash attorney at Thomas J. Henry can help identify and prove all instances of negligence that resulted in your injuries.

Where Do San Antonio Semi Accidents Happen Most?

While 18-wheelers are a common sight across San Antonio and accidents involving tractor-trucks can occur anywhere, they are much more common along San Antonio’s highways and interstates, including:

• Interstate 35 – The main conduit for traffic flowing North and South through San Antonio, I-35 (also called the PanAm Expressway) sees high commercial vehicle traffic as goods are moved up through Austin and onward out of state as well as goods moving from the U.S. towards and into Mexico.
• Interstate 10 – Interstate 10 runs through central San Antonio, connecting East and West Texas. Traffic congestion is relatively common around the Alamodome and exits to downtown San Antonio, and a semi driver who is distracted, fatigued, or traveling at a high rate of speed can easily slam into slowing or stopped traffic.
• Interstate 37 – I-37 is the main road for commercial traffic traveling between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas, and has a high rate of traffic collisions.
• Loop 410 – 410 Loop, or Connally Loop, is a beltway around San Antonio. This is a common roadway for commuters and 18-wheelers alike who are seeking to get into, out of, or around the city.

Determining Fault in a San Antonio 18-Wheeler Accident

Determining fault can be a complex matter when it comes to 18-wheeler accidents due to the unique regulations truck drivers and their employers are subject to as well as the fact several parties can potentially be at fault for a single crash, including the driver, the driver’s employer (a company or business), and the even manufacturer of the truck or its parts.

Companies are required by law to take certain steps to ensure their drivers are properly trained and act in a responsible manner when. They are also responsible for making sure their drivers are following laws concerning the number of hours a driver works and how much time a driver spends behind the wheel before taking a break. If a driver is found to be in violation of these laws, their employer may share fault as well and you would seek compensation from the driver and their employer as both are at fault for your accident and injuries.

Injuries You May Suffer in a Semi Accident

Due to their size and the forces associated with accidents involving 18-wheelers, the injuries sustained in a semi crash tend to be more serious more often than a regular passenger vehicle collision. Among the most common injuries reported with 18-wheeler accidents are:

• Traumatic head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord and back injuries
• Fractures and soft tissue injuries
• Vital organ injuries
• Disfigurement
• Death

Damages You Can Collect in an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawsuit

Motorists injured in 18-wheeler accidents can collect a variety of different damages depending on the circumstances of their accident and the injuries suffered. Among the most common are:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Vehicle repair costs
• Future medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium
• Wrongful death

What to Look for When Hiring an 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

When you are involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler, you are instantly at a disadvantage. Similar to a passenger vehicle facing a 40-ton semi-truck, the company that owns and operates the 18-wheeler has money and resources that vastly exceed that of the average San Antonio resident. This is why you need to find a San Antonio semi accident lawyer with the knowledge, resources, and experience to successfully handle your claim.

• Hire an attorney with significant trial experience. Find a San Antonio truck accident attorney who is at home in the courtroom, understands juror interaction, and knows how to build a strong case.
• Hire an attorney who has access to top expert witnesses. Expert witnesses can detail the events that led up to your collision and help jurors understand the extent of your injuries. Utilizing the right expert witnesses will put you in a better position to secure maximum compensation.
• Hire an attorney with the resources to take on large companies. Smaller firms simply cannot withstand the onslaught a well-financed transportation company’s legal team can bring. Make sure the law firm you hire has the finances, the resources, and the truck accident attorneys and staff in San Antonio necessary to take on a large corporation.

Let Our Success Work for You

When it comes to 18-wheeler accidents, Thomas J. Henry’s lawyers in San Antonio fights fire with fire. We employ a team of more than 200 experienced San Antonio truck accident attorneys and have successfully litigated against large companies and corporations for more than 25 years. 18-wheeler companies know the name Thomas J. Henry and understand that when you hire our San Antonio 18-wheeler crash attorney, you are hiring a firm that is known for securing record-breaking verdicts in the courtroom. This alone can deter the trucking company from going to trial and pressure them into offering a fair settlement earlier in the process.

Contact us today for your FREE case consultation with a licensed 18-wheeler accident attorney in San Antonio. Attorneys are standing by.

Our San Antonio Personal Injury Law Offices

• Phone number:210-874-2615 (attorneys available 24/7 to assist you)
• Address: 5711 University Heights Blvd #101, San Antonio, Texas 78249

Liability and the Evidence Unique to Big Rigs

An 18-wheeler wreck often involves more than one responsible party. Depending on the facts, liability can fall on the truck driver, the motor carrier that employed the driver, the company that loaded or secured the cargo, or a maintenance provider that failed to keep the rig road-ready. Sorting out who is at fault is central to a tractor-trailer claim.

These cases also turn on evidence that a passenger-car crash rarely involves:

• Electronic logging devices (ELDs) and the truck’s event data recorder, sometimes called the black box, which can show speed, braking, and hours behind the wheel.
• Driver logbooks and hours-of-service records, which are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and can reveal fatigue or missed rest.
• Cargo loading and weight records, which can point to an overloaded or improperly secured trailer.
• Maintenance and inspection records for the tractor and trailer.

Much of this evidence is held by the trucking company, and some of it can be overwritten or lost within weeks. Acting quickly lets your attorney send a spoliation letter, a formal demand that the carrier preserve its records, data, and the vehicle itself. The sooner that letter goes out, the better the chance that key evidence is still there when your case needs it.