San Antonio Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys
The roads and highways of San Antonio, such as the busy I-35 and the treacherous Loop 1604, see their fair share of commercial vehicle 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 accidents involving big rigs, 18-Wheelers, tractor-trailers and delivery vans.. Our experienced injury attorneys, many of whom are board-certified 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 commercial vehicle accident cases. Contact us at 210-340-0900 for a complimentary case assessment.
What Types of Commercial Vehicles Are Most Involved in Accidents?
Commercial vehicles tower over other road users, making any accident potentially devastating. If you’ve been hit by a commercial vehicle, you’re likely facing more than just vehicle damage. You could be dealing with serious injuries that can impact every aspect of your life. .
In San Antonio, a variety of vehicles are routinely involved in 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 San Antonio highways and 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 vehicles are used for a variety of delivery services and can be involved in collisions, especially in San Antonio’s urban areas..
- Oil Tanker Trucks: These trucks carry liquids or gases and can be particularly hazardous in an accident due to 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: 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: 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 vehicles have significant blind spots and require longer stopping distances.
- Utility Vehicles: Including vehicles used by public utilities, such as water and electricity 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.
What Are the Most Common Types of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in San Antonio?
San Antonio’s highways and roads witness numerous types of commercial vehicle accidents, from T-bone collisions at intersections to wide-turn mishaps and rollovers caused by loss of control. These accidents can take many forms, each with its own set of challenges and risks. Here are the most common types of commercial vehicle accidents that commonly occur in Texas:
- Jackknife Accidents: 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: Occurs when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck during a collision.
- Rollover Accidents: When a truck tips over on 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.
- Head-On Collisions: Occurs when a truck collides with another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Occurs 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 occur 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.
- 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.
What Are the Primary Causes of San Antonio Commercial Vehicle Accidents?
Commercial vehicle accidents in Texas stem from many causes, ranging from cargo loading errors and poor maintenance to driver fatigue and inexperience. These accidents can derail lives, which is why securing a knowledgeable San Antonio vehicle accident lawyer is so important.
Here are the 10 most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents in Texas, based on various studies and reports:
- Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road without adequate rest can lead to drivers being less alert and more prone to errors.
- Distracted Driving: Including the use of mobile devices or any other activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the road.
- Speeding: Exceeding speed limits can result in the driver losing control of the truck.
- Improper Loading: Incorrectly loaded or secured cargo can shift, causing the truck to become unstable.
- Lack of Training: Inexperienced truck drivers may not be fully prepared to handle the complexities of operating a large commercial vehicle.
- Equipment Failure: Mechanical issues, such as brake failure or tire blowouts, can lead to serious accidents.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance can result in critical systems failing.
- Driving Under the Influence: Consumption of alcohol or drugs can impair a driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely.
- Adverse Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, ice, and other weather conditions can make driving more hazardous, particularly for large trucks.
- Failure to Obey Traffic Laws: Running red lights, ignoring stop signs, or failing to yield the right-of-way can lead to collisions.
What Sort of Injuries Can Be Sustained in Commercial Vehicle Accidents?
In San Antonio, commercial vehicle accidents can result in a range of injuries, some of which can be life-altering. Here are 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 vehicle 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 commercial vehicle accidents may suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues as a result of the traumatic event.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
What is 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 commercial vehicle accident attorney to advocate for your rights.
Additionally, be aware of the tight timelines dictated by the statute of limitations. If you’re looking to file a lawsuit following a commercial vehicle accident in San Antonio, you have two years from the date of the accident to take legal action. Miss this window, and your claim could be dismissed.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover From a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
In Texas personal injury cases, especially those involving vehicle accidents, several types of damages may be available to victims who have proven negligence.
- Economic Damages: These compensate for quantifiable monetary losses, such as:
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- 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:
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- 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:
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- 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
Our San Antonio Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Will Advocate for You
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 accident claims.
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.