Truck accidents are any accidents involving an 18-wheeler, semi, big rig, or other commercial vehicle. These trucks travel throughout the U.S. every day. Texas highways are no exception, with their constant presence at all times of day and night.
While commercial trucks play a huge role in the nation’s economy, they also present serious hazards when on the road. Accidents involving these trucks are often devastating, leading to life-changing injuries and fatalities.
At Patterson Law Group, we understand the impact of these accidents. Along with the impact of a truck accident on the victim, it is important to note the others impacted, such as the victim’s families, truck drivers, and more.
If you or someone in your family is involved in a truck accident, our San Antonio attorneys are available to help. We can evaluate your accident, determine fault, and help you seek compensation.
San Antonio Truck Accident Statistics
TxDOT reports San Antonio experienced 338 accidents involving large trucks in 2022. In these accidents, the following occurred:
- 14 accidents that caused 27 fatalities
- 20 accidents that caused 35 serious injuries
- 113 accidents that caused 180 minor injuries
- 191 accidents that led to 298 possible injuries
Like other metropolitan areas in Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, etc.), San Antonio reports higher-than-average truck accidents due to its extensive transportation networks and population density.
Common Causes of San Antonio Truck Accidents
San Antonio has several busy roads and major highways, such as I-10 and I-35. These busy roads see significant commercial truck traffic, making truck accidents a particularly pressing issue.
One way to avoid being involved in a truck accident is to know the most common causes. These include:
Increasing Traffic Volume and Congestion
San Antonio’s rapid growth has increased traffic volume and congestion, especially on highways like Loop 1604 and US-281. These conditions slow down traffic and increase the risk of truck accidents.
Our firm has represented victims involved in truck accidents due to erratic traffic flow. While the start and stop actions on many roads and highways seem normal, when trucks are in the mix, they create potentially dangerous situations. Trucks’ significant size and weight mean they require more distance to stop, which can result in devastating accidents.
Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations
Truck drivers often face demanding schedules that can lead to fatigue, which is a leading cause of truck accidents. Despite federal Hours of Service regulations designed to ensure drivers have sufficient rest, violations are common.
As a San Antonio truck accident lawyer, we can investigate these aspects, ensuring that drivers’ working conditions and schedules do not compromise road safety. San Antonio’s position as a freight hub exacerbates this issue, with many drivers pushing beyond their limits to meet deadlines.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial for the safety of commercial trucks. Unfortunately, some companies or independent operators may neglect this aspect due to cost or time constraints.
Inadequate Driver Training and Experience
Driving a commercial truck requires specialized skills and training. However, the rush to meet the demand for drivers can sometimes lead to individuals being on the road without adequate preparation.
This lack of experience or training can be extremely dangerous in San Antonio, where complex roadways and heavy traffic demand experience. We look into driver backgrounds and training to determine whether they are sufficiently prepared for the challenges of the road.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Truck Accidents
As mentioned, truck accidents have the potential to lead to devastating injuries. While each situation is unique, some of the most common injuries seen after a San Antonio truck accident include:
Catastrophic Injuries
Given the massive size and weight of commercial trucks compared to passenger vehicles, truck accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries. These include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis, and severe burns.
Such injuries require immediate medical attention and often entail long-term rehabilitation and care. With help from our San Antonio truck accident lawyer, you can feel confident we will fight for the full compensation you are entitled to, including future medical costs.
Broken Bones and Fractures
The force exerted in a truck accident can easily lead to broken bones and fractures, ranging from simple breaks that may heal with time to complex fractures that necessitate surgical intervention.
These injuries can occur anywhere in the body but are most commonly seen in the arms, legs, and ribs. While broken bones are not uncommon, some injuries may be so severe victims never regain full use of the part of the body injured.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are dangerous because they might not be immediately apparent to the victims following an accident. Organs can be damaged or ruptured upon impact, and internal bleeding can occur, posing serious health risks.
Anyone involved in a truck accident must seek medical attention, even if they feel fine. A comprehensive medical exam immediately after an accident is necessary to ensure these injuries are found and treated. The medical record also helps to link the injury to the accident.
Emotional Trauma
Beyond the physical injuries, truck accidents can inflict emotional scars. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can arise, affecting an individual’s quality of life.
Determining Liability in a San Antonio Truck Accident
To recover compensation after a truck accident, it is necessary to prove that another party was negligent and that this negligence led to the accident. At Patterson Law Group, our experienced truck accident attorneys in San Antonio understand the law and what goes into proving liability. We can investigate your accident, gather evidence, and advocate on your behalf.
Here, you can learn more about what must be considered when working to prove liability in a truck accident.
Multiple Potential Defendants
One of the first challenges in a San Antonio truck accident case is identifying all potential defendants. Unlike passenger vehicle collisions, truck accidents can involve several parties beyond the truck driver. These parties include:
- The trucking company
- The vehicle’s manufacturer
- Third-party logistics providers
We will work to find all potentially liable parties and ensure they are held accountable for their actions.
Federal and State Regulations
Truck operations in San Antonio are governed by federal and state regulations, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules. These regulations cover aspects such as hours of service for drivers, vehicle maintenance standards, and cargo loading practices.
Our San Antonio truck accident lawyers understand the regulations and how they may impact your accident case. Violating these rules can play a huge role in determining liability. We will use our knowledge to help prove fault in your accident case.
Evidence and Investigation
Determining liability in a truck accident case requires a full investigation and evidence collection. When you come to us for help with your truck accident claim, we will:
- Review police reports
- Analyze black box data from the truck
- Examine maintenance records
- Consult with accident reconstruction experts
Our expertise as San Antonio truck accident lawyers enables us to navigate this complex process, ensuring no stone is left unturned in pursuing justice for our clients.
Comparative Fault in Texas
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which can influence the outcome of a truck accident lawsuit in San Antonio. This rule allows for the reduction of damages if the victim is found partially at fault for the accident. Our attorneys work to minimize our client’s fault to maximize their compensation.
Challenges Seen in San Antonio Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident cases in San Antonio can be especially challenging. One reason is the severity of injuries and damages involved and the investigative and legal processes required to acquire justice for our clients.
We use our experience in this field to ensure you get the best possible outcome for your case.
Complex Liability Determination
One of the main challenges in San Antonio truck accident cases is determining liability. Unlike accidents involving only passenger vehicles, truck accidents can implicate multiple parties—from the truck driver and trucking company to the vehicle manufacturer and cargo loaders.
Our investigation includes gathering evidence to identify all potentially liable parties. This ensures we maximize our client’s compensation while holding responsible parties accountable.
Regulatory Landscape
Federal and state laws regulate the trucking industry, including stringent regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations govern everything from driver hours to vehicle maintenance and cargo securement.
Navigating this regulatory maze can present significant challenges. We understand how these regulations impact each case and use this insight to support our clients’ claims.
Severe Injuries and High Stakes
Truck accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. This elevates the stakes of these cases in terms of the potential compensation and the complexity of proving the extent of injuries and future impacts.
We collaborate with medical professionals to document the injuries and advocate for the past, present, and future damages our clients deserve.
Insurance Company Resistance
Another significant challenge is the aggressive defense that trucking companies and insurers use. These entities typically have substantial resources, including legal teams that minimize payouts. We know how to counter these tactics to build a strong case. Our assertive negotiation and litigation strategies are designed to level the playing field, ensuring our clients’ rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Why Choose Our San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyers
The legal representation you choose to provide for your truck accident claim will significantly impact the outcome of your case. Our experience in the area and dedication to our clients helps our law firm stand out as a top provider of legal representation in San Antonio.
Some of the reasons to choose Patterson Law Group for representation after a truck accident include:
Unmatched Expertise in Truck Accident Law
Our legal team understands the complex nature of truck accident cases. These complexities involve intricate liability issues and adhering to state and federal transportation regulations. As experienced truck accident attorneys in San Antonio, we will navigate the legal process on your behalf, always working to help you secure the desired outcome.
Commitment to Client-Centered Representation
Client-center representation is another factor that helps our law firm stand out in the area. We understand how devastating a truck accident can be. Our legal team takes time to ensure we understand the case and your situation by:
- Listening to your story
- Understanding your needs
- Developing a customized strategy to achieve the best possible outcome
You can have confidence we will provide the advice and guidance you need throughout the truck accident claims process.
Proven Track Record of Success
Our history of securing favorable outcomes for our clients speaks volumes. We have a proven track record of successfully negotiating substantial settlements and winning significant verdicts in court.
This success shows our strategic, evidence-based approach and how we work to pursue justice on your behalf. When you choose Patterson Law Group as your truck accident attorney in San Antonio, you benefit from a team recognized for its achievements and respected throughout the legal community.
Strategic and Thorough Investigative Resources
Determining liability and building a compelling case in truck accident claims requires a thorough investigation and evidence gathering. We employ a strategic approach to investigation, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and collaborating with a network of experts, including accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals. This thoroughness ensures that every detail of your case is explored and that we are fully prepared to advocate for your rights.
San Antonio, Texas Truck Accident FAQ
What Do I Need to Prove My Case After a Truck Accident in San Antonio, Texas?
If you’ve been in an accident involving a truck in the San Antonio, Texas area, you will have to provide evidence of your accident. It’s not enough to say that the truck driver is at fault, you need evidence and witnesses to help prove your case.
After an accident, be sure to seek medical treatment, but if you are not immediately taken to the hospital to seek treatment, get the names and phone numbers of everyone involved, including the police officer who takes the report, the drivers, and any witnesses. Take as many photos as possible.
As soon as you are capable, you must consult with and retain a San Antonio truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible. There is abundant evidence that will need to be preserved to prove your case, such as driving records, logbooks, and electronic data downloaded from the truck. An attorney from Patterson Law Group can preserve this evidence making sure it is not destroyed as this evidence is vital to your case.
Who is Liable For My Truck Accident Injuries in San Antonio, Texas?
Proving liability goes beyond identifying fault. Several factors determine who is at fault in a personal injury case in San Antonio, Texas. Fault means the individual is responsible for causing the accident. That person or persons at fault is liable for damages that their insurance may or may not cover.
When looking at the factors for fault, it’s important to keep in mind that the statute of limitations is ticking once the crash happens. You have a limited amount of time to seek damages. The right personal injury attorney will navigate those limitations to help you find the compensation you deserve. Patterson Law Group has professionals ready to help you with your claim.
What Damages Can I Recover From a Truck Accident Case in San Antonio, Texas?
The good news is that damages can be recovered if you’ve been in a Texas truck accident. You can seek economic, non-economic, and punitive damages from a truck accident case in San Antonio, Texas. With the right attorney by your side, your damage compensation will be fair.
Your Trusted Advocates in San Antonio Truck Accident Cases
Navigating the aftermath of a truck accident in San Antonio can be challenging and overwhelming. At Patterson Law Group, our experienced San Antonio truck accident lawyers are ready to help you recover the full compensation you deserve.
Choosing us as your San Antonio truck accident lawyers means trusting our team to advocate on your behalf and ensure you achieve the best possible outcome to secure your full recovery.
If you or someone in your family was injured or killed in a truck accident, contact our office to schedule a risk-free consultation.
