San Antonio Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers: A Survivor’s Guide to Texas Truck Accident Claims

The roads and highways of San Antonio, such as the bustling I-35 and the treacherous Loop 1604, see their fair share of commercial truck traffic—and with it, a higher risk of truck-related accidents. If you’ve found yourself the victim of such an unfortunate incident, it’s important to know that there’s a path to recovery, and it starts with understanding your rights and the legal avenues available to you.

The Law Offices of Tyler & Peery specialize in representing individuals injured in commercial vehicle accidents across Texas, including those involving big rigs and other trucks, as well as families affected by fatal truck accidents. Our experienced attorneys, many of whom are board-certified in personal injury law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, are dedicated to determining liability and seeking justice for our clients.

We have a strong track record in major vehicle accident cases. Contact us at 210-340-0900 for a complimentary case assessment.

Commercial Truck Accidents: A Weighty Matter in San Antonio

Commercial vehicles tower over other road users, making any accident potentially devastating. If you’ve been hit by a commercial truck, you’re likely facing more than just vehicle damage; you could be dealing with serious injuries that can impact every aspect of your life. This is where the expertise of a dedicated San Antonio commercial vehicle accident lawyer becomes invaluable.

What Defines a Commercial Vehicle?

Imagine vehicles that are the workhorses of commerce—these are your commercial vehicles. These titans, such as tractor-trailers and delivery vans, dwarf their passenger car counterparts, both in size and the magnitude of damage they can cause when accidents occur.

In Texas, a variety of commercial vehicles are commonly involved in traffic accidents due to the state’s extensive transportation and commerce network. Here are several types of commercial vehicles that frequently figure into truck accidents:

• 18-Wheelers (Semi-trucks): These large trucks are a common sight on highways and can be involved in serious accidents due to their size and weight.
• Delivery Trucks: Vehicles used by courier and delivery services, such as UPS, FedEx, and Amazon, are often on the roads, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Box Trucks: These medium-sized trucks are used for a variety of delivery services and can be involved in collisions, especially in urban areas.
• Oil Tanker Trucks: These trucks carry liquids or gases and can be particularly hazardous in an accident due to the potential for spills or explosions.
• Flatbed Trucks: Used to transport heavy or oversized loads, flatbed trucks can pose risks if their cargo is not properly secured.
• Dump Trucks: Commonly used in construction, dump trucks can cause accidents due to their blind spots and the risk of losing debris while in transit.
• Garbage Trucks: These vehicles make frequent stops and have limited visibility, which can lead to accidents, particularly in residential areas.
• Tow Trucks: While they are often at the scene of accidents to provide assistance, tow trucks themselves can be involved in collisions.
• Concrete Mixer Trucks: The weight and operation of concrete mixers can contribute to traffic accidents, especially if the drum is full.
• Refrigerator Trucks: These are used to transport perishable goods and can be involved in accidents like any other large commercial vehicle.
• Buses: Including city transit buses, school buses, and tour buses, these large vehicles have significant blind spots and require longer stopping distances.
• Utility Vehicles: These include vehicles used by public utilities, such as water, electricity, and telecommunications companies, and can be involved in road accidents during service calls.

Each type of commercial vehicle has unique characteristics that can contribute to the risk of accidents. If you’ve been involved in an accident with any of these types of vehicles, it’s essential to seek legal counsel experienced in commercial trucking accidents in San Antonio to address the complexities of your case. With the right counsel at your side, you can navigate the complex process of claiming the compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries and losses.  A call to 210-340-0900 will put you in direct contact with a top-tier legal advocate.

Most Common Types of Texas Commercial Truck Accidents

San Antonio’s highways and roads witness numerous types of truck accidents, from T-bone collisions at intersections to wide-turn mishaps and rollovers caused by loss of control. The common thread is the potential for serious injury, making immediate legal action a must.

In Texas, commercial truck accidents can take many forms, each with its own set of challenges and risks. Here are the common types of truck accidents that commonly occur:

• Jackknife Accidents: This type of accident happens when the trailer of a semi-truck folds at the pivot point to form an acute angle with the truck cab, resembling a folding pocket knife.
• Underride Accidents: These occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck during a collision, often resulting in severe consequences.
• Rollover Accidents: This is when a truck tips over onto its side or roof, which can be particularly dangerous for nearby vehicles.
• Rear-End Collisions: When a truck crashes into the back of another vehicle, the size and weight of the truck can cause significant damage and injuries.
• Head-On Collisions: These accidents are often catastrophic, occurring when a truck collides with another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have larger blind spots than passenger vehicles, and accidents can occur when a truck changes lanes or turns without noticing a smaller vehicle in its blind spot.
• T-Bone Accidents: Also known as side-impact collisions, these happen when the front of a truck crashes into the side of another vehicle, often at intersections.
• Wide Turn Accidents: Trucks making wide turns can inadvertently strike other vehicles, particularly when making right turns and swinging out to the left.
• Lost Load Accidents: Improperly secured cargo can fall off a truck, creating hazards for other road users and potentially causing accidents.
• Tire Blowout Accidents: When a truck’s tire fails, it can cause the driver to lose control, leading to an accident.
• Chain Reaction Accidents: Trucks can be involved in multi-vehicle collisions where one accident triggers a series of subsequent crashes.
• Hazardous Material Spills: Accidents involving trucks carrying hazardous materials can result in spills, creating environmental and health risks.

After any type of truck accident in San Antonio, it’s crucial to take the appropriate steps to protect your safety, seek medical attention, and consult with an experienced truck accident attorney to understand your rights and options for pursuing a claim.

The Most Common Causes of San Antonio Commercial Truck Accidents

Truck accidents in Texas stem from myriad causes, ranging from cargo loading errors and poor maintenance to driver fatigue and inexperience. The repercussions can be severe, with injuries like broken bones, internal trauma, and head injuries being all too common. These accidents can derail lives, which is why securing a knowledgeable San Antonio truck accident lawyer is so important.

Here are the 10 most common causes of commercial truck accidents in Texas, based on various studies and reports:

1. Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road without adequate rest can lead to drivers being less alert and more prone to errors.
2. Distracted Driving: This includes the use of mobile devices, eating, or any other activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the road.
3. Speeding: Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for road conditions can result in the driver losing control of the truck.
4. Improper Loading: Incorrectly loaded or secured cargo can shift, causing the truck to become unstable.
5. Lack of Training: Inexperienced truck drivers may not be fully prepared to handle the complexities of operating a large commercial vehicle.
6. Equipment Failure: Mechanical issues, such as brake failure or tire blowouts, can lead to catastrophic accidents.
7. Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance can result in critical systems failing when they are needed most.
8. Driving Under the Influence: Consumption of alcohol or drugs can impair a driver’s ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
9. Adverse Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, ice, and other weather conditions can make driving more hazardous, particularly for large trucks.
10. Failure to Obey Traffic Laws: Running red lights, ignoring stop signs, or failing to yield the right-of-way can lead to serious collisions.

It’s important to note that truck accidents often result from a combination of these factors, and determining the exact cause can require a thorough investigation. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in San Antonio or anywhere in Texas, it is crucial to consult with a knowledgeable commercial vehicle accident attorney who can help identify the cause and pursue appropriate legal action.

Types of Injuries Sustained in Serious Truck Accidents

In Texas, as in many places, commercial truck accidents can result in a range of injuries, some of which can be life-altering. Here are some of the most common injuries associated with such accidents:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Impacts to the head can lead to concussions or more severe brain damage, which can have long-term cognitive effects.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the area and severity of the spinal cord damage.
• Broken Bones: The force of a collision with a large truck can easily break bones, leading to a painful and prolonged recovery.
• Internal Injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage are serious consequences that may not be immediately obvious without medical evaluation.
• Lacerations and Contusions: Shattered glass, metal, and the sheer force of impact can cause deep cuts and bruising.
• Whiplash and Neck Injuries: The rapid back-and-forth motion of the head can strain neck muscles and tendons, sometimes leading to chronic pain.
• Back Injuries: These can range from herniated discs to fractured vertebrae and can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues.
• Burn Injuries: If a truck accident leads to a fire or if chemicals are involved, victims can suffer from burn injuries, which may require extensive treatment.
• Amputations: In severe cases, limbs may be crushed or severed during the accident or may require surgical amputation afterward.
• Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, individuals involved in truck accidents may suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues as a result of the traumatic event.

If you or a loved one has experienced any of these injuries from a commercial truck accident in Texas, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention and consult with a skilled personal injury attorney to explore your legal options for compensation.

Your Legal Journey After a Commercial Truck Accident

If you’re looking to file a lawsuit following a truck accident in San Antonio, be aware of the tight timelines dictated by the statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of the accident to take legal action. Miss this window, and your claim could be dismissed.

Proving Negligence in a Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident Case

In Texas, as in most jurisdictions, to establish negligence in any type of motor vehicle accident, you typically must prove four key elements:

1. Duty of Care: You must demonstrate that the defendant owed you a duty of care. For drivers, this means operating their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner to avoid harming others on the road.
2. Breach of Duty: You need to show that the defendant breached that duty. For example, if a driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise not adhering to the rules of the road, they may have breached their duty of care.
3. Causation: It must be established that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries. This means showing a direct link between the defendant’s actions and the harm you suffered.
4. Damages: Lastly, you must prove that you sustained damages as a result of the accident. This can include physical injuries, property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

To successfully claim negligence in a commercial vehicle accident in Texas, it’s important to collect and present evidence that supports each of these elements. A truck accident attorney can help you navigate this process and work to prove negligence in your case.

Understanding Texas’s Comparative Negligence Law

Texas’s approach to shared fault could affect the outcome of your case. Even if you’re found partially at fault, you can still recover damages, provided your level of fault is below 51%. This nuanced legal principle underscores the need for an expert truck accident attorney to advocate for your rights.

Compensation: What You Can Recover From a Truck Accident Incident

In Texas personal injury cases, particularly those involving motor vehicle accidents, several types of damages may be available to victims who have proven negligence. Here are the types of damages commonly awarded:

• Economic Damages: These compensate for quantifiable monetary losses, such as:

1. • Medical expenses (past and future)
   • Lost wages (past and future)
   • Loss of earning capacity
   • Property damage
   • Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury

• Non-Economic Damages: These address losses that are not easily quantified in monetary terms, including:

1. • Pain and suffering
   • Emotional distress
   • Loss of consortium (for spouses)
   • Loss of companionship (for family members in wrongful death cases)
   • Mental anguish
   • Physical impairment or disfigurement

• Exemplary (Punitive) Damages: In cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious, exemplary damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. These are less common and subject to statutory limitations.

• Wrongful Death Damages: In the tragic event of a fatal accident, surviving family members may seek damages such as:

1. • Funeral and burial expenses
   • Loss of financial contributions from the deceased
   • Loss of care, maintenance, services, support, advice, and counsel the deceased would have provided
   • Mental and emotional pain, suffering, and anguish resulting from the loss of a loved one

It’s important to note that Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that if a plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering damages. If the plaintiff is less at fault than the defendant(s), damages can be recovered but will be reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.

Choose the Right Legal Champion

To secure the compensation you deserve, you need a San Antonio commercial vehicle accident attorney with a proven track record. Our legal team boasts decades of experience and a sterling record of success in truck accident claims.

If you need expert guidance and support to navigate the aftermath of a truck accident, our attorneys stand ready to help. We understand the intricacies of trucking regulations, the nuances of Texas liability laws, and the strategies that yield successful outcomes in these complex cases.

Our commitment is to your recovery—both physical and financial. We’ll diligently pursue every avenue to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve for the hardships you’ve endured. This includes negotiating with insurance companies, gathering critical evidence, and, if necessary, representing your interests fiercely in court.

Our San Antonio Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Advocate for You

With our deep understanding of personal injury law and a relentless drive to advocate for our clients, we are your allies in the fight for justice. If you’ve been involved in a commercial vehicle accident in San Antonio, don’t carry the burden alone. Call The Law Offices of Tyler & Peery at 210-340-0900 or complete our online form for a comprehensive case evaluation at no cost. Together, we can work towards a resolution that brings you peace of mind and the compensation you need to move forward.