Truck Accident Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
Accidents involving commercial trucks are a major concern in San Antonio, Texas. Given the large number of freight trucks that travel along the highways and roads leading in and out of the city, truck accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries and fatalities. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, it’s important to have a San Antonio truck accident attorney from Hit by a Truck Call Chuck by your side to guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.
How Can You Prevent Truck Accidents in San Antonio, TX?
Truck accidents often result in more severe injuries than typical car accidents due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. In San Antonio, commercial trucks are a constant presence on major highways like Interstate 10, Interstate 35, and Interstate 37. These busy routes are essential for transporting goods across the state and country, making truck accidents a real threat to public safety.
When a truck accident occurs, the consequences can be devastating. Victims often face long recovery times, medical bills, lost wages, and significant pain and suffering. Truck accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road can cause truck drivers to become drowsy, leading to lapses in judgment or slow reaction times.
- Speeding or reckless driving: Truck drivers who fail to follow speed limits or drive aggressively put themselves and others at risk.
- Improperly loaded cargo: If a truck is not loaded correctly, it can cause the driver to lose control, resulting in an accident.
- Vehicle maintenance issues: Trucks that are not properly maintained can experience mechanical failures, leading to accidents.
- Distracted driving: Like other drivers, truck drivers can be distracted by their phones, GPS, or other factors, which can lead to crashes.
If you have been involved in a truck accident, it’s crucial to contact a truck accident lawyer in San Antonio as soon as possible. A qualified attorney will help you understand your legal options, investigate the accident, and work to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Truck Accident Cases Our San Antonio Personal Injury Attorneys Can Assist With:
We handle all types of truck accident cases in San Antonio, including:
- 18-Wheeler Accidents
- Big Rig Accidents
- Delivery Truck Accidents
- Dump Truck Accidents
- Oil Rig/Oilfield Accidents
- Rear-End Truck Accidents
- Semi-Truck Accidents
- T-Bone Truck Accidents
- Truck v. Truck Accidents
How Do Truck Accidents in San Antonio, TX Lead to Common Injuries?
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries, especially when they involve high-impact collisions with large commercial vehicles. Due to the significant size difference between trucks and passenger vehicles, impact forces can cause severe injuries. These injuries may include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Truck accidents often lead to head injuries, including concussions or more severe brain trauma. TBIs can result in long-term cognitive and physical impairments, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: A spinal cord injury from a truck accident can lead to partial or complete paralysis, significantly altering a person’s quality of life. Treatment often includes surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing care.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of a truck collision can cause broken bones, ranging from minor fractures to severe compound fractures that require surgical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: The force of impact can cause internal injuries, such as damage to vital organs. These injuries may not be immediately apparent, and delayed symptoms can lead to life-threatening complications.
- Burns and Lacerations: Truck accidents, especially those involving fuel spills or fires, can cause severe burns and lacerations. These injuries often require emergency treatment, extensive hospital stays, and long recovery periods.
If you’ve suffered any of these injuries due to a truck accident in San Antonio, it’s crucial to contact a truck accident lawyer who can help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What Factors Determine Fault in a Truck Accident?
Fault in a truck accident can be more complex than in a typical car accident, as multiple parties may be involved, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and third-party contractors. A San Antonio truck accident attorney can help identify responsibility by investigating the following factors:
- Driver’s Behavior: If the driver was fatigued, distracted, or reckless, they could be at fault. Investigating logbooks, driving history, and phone records helps determine negligence.
- Trucking Company’s Responsibility: Companies must ensure that drivers comply with safety regulations. If they failed to maintain the truck or pressured drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, they could be liable.
- Truck Maintenance: Faulty brakes, worn tires, or inadequate maintenance can lead to accidents. The trucking company or maintenance provider may be held responsible.
- Defective Parts: If a truck part, such as a brake or engine, is defective and causes an accident, the manufacturer may be liable.
Your San Antonio truck accident lawyer will work to identify the responsible parties and gather evidence to support your case.
What Are the Essential Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in San Antonio, TX?
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in San Antonio, there are a few critical steps you should take to protect yourself and your legal rights:
- Call 911: Always call the police after an accident. A police report will be essential for your claim and can help determine who was at fault.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it’s important to see a doctor after a truck accident. Injuries may not be immediately apparent, and a medical professional can identify and treat any injuries you may have sustained.
- Document the Accident: If possible, take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. This evidence can be crucial in building your case.
- Contact a San Antonio Truck Accident Attorney: An experienced truck accident lawyer can provide invaluable assistance throughout the claims process. They will help you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for fair compensation.
Why You Need a Hit by a Truck Call Chuck Truck Accident Attorney in San Antonio, TX.
The aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with serious injuries and insurance companies. Truck accident claims are often more complicated than typical car accident cases, and having an experienced San Antonio truck accident attorney is essential to achieving a successful outcome.
Here are some of the reasons why having a truck accident attorney on your side is important:
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Understanding the Law and Regulations
Truck accidents are subject to specific federal and state regulations, including hours-of-service requirements for truck drivers, cargo weight limits, and truck maintenance requirements. A truck accident lawyer will have a deep understanding of these regulations and can use them to strengthen your case.
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Investigating the Accident
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the vehicle manufacturer, and even third-party contractors responsible for maintenance or cargo loading. A skilled attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is at fault for the accident and hold them accountable.
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Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often seek to minimize the amount they pay out in accident claims. A truck accident lawyer in San Antonio will handle all communication with insurance companies, ensuring that you are not taken advantage of and that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
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Maximizing Your Compensation
Truck accidents can result in significant medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation costs. A truck accident attorney will fight to ensure that you receive fair compensation for both your economic and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Contact Hit by a Truck Call Chuck Today
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in San Antonio, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Contact Hit by a Truck Call Chuck today to schedule a free consultation with a skilled truck accident attorney in San Antonio. Our team is dedicated to helping victims of truck accidents get the compensation they deserve. The attorney will work tirelessly to protect your rights and ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.
Call now or fill out our online contact form to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in San Antonio?
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, certain circumstances can shorten or extend this deadline, and gathering evidence becomes more difficult as time passes. If you’re dealing with a government entity or specific insurance policy requirements, different deadlines may apply. Contact Hit by a Truck Call Chuck promptly to ensure your claim is filed within all applicable time limits and your rights are fully protected.
What if the truck driver claims I was partially at fault for the accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault, as long as you’re not more than 50% responsible. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, you’ll receive 80% of the total damages. Our San Antonio truck accident attorneys will investigate all aspects of the collision to minimize any fault attributed to you and maximize your recovery.
Can I still pursue a case if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Yes, you can still pursue compensation even when the truck driver is an independent contractor rather than a company employee. The trucking company may still bear liability depending on factors like how much control they exercised over the driver, whether they properly vetted the contractor, and if they failed to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Our team will investigate the relationship between the driver and company to identify all potentially liable parties and strengthen your claim.
What happens if the trucking company destroys evidence after my accident?
Trucking companies are required to preserve evidence like driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data once they’re aware of a potential claim. If they intentionally destroy or fail to preserve this evidence, the court can impose sanctions including adverse inference instructions, which tell the jury to assume the destroyed evidence would have been unfavorable to the trucking company. Our attorneys send immediate spoliation letters to prevent evidence destruction and will pursue all available remedies if the trucking company violates preservation obligations. This gives you a significant advantage in proving liability and negligence.
Can I afford to hire a truck accident attorney in San Antonio?
Most truck accident attorneys, including Hit by a Truck Call Chuck, work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you, and our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict. This arrangement allows everyone to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. You can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal complexities without worrying about legal bills piling up.
Will my case go to trial, or will it settle out of court?
Most truck accident cases settle before trial, as trucking companies and their insurers often prefer to avoid the uncertainty and expense of litigation. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court. Our attorneys will advise you throughout the process about settlement offers and whether they adequately compensate you for your injuries, ultimately leaving the decision to accept or reject any settlement in your hands. Contact Hit by a Truck Call Chuck to discuss the best strategy for your specific situation.
What if my family member died in a truck accident, can we still pursue a claim?
Yes, Texas law allows certain family members to file a wrongful death claim when a loved one dies in a truck accident. Eligible parties typically include the spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. These claims can recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and mental anguish suffered by surviving family members. Our compassionate attorneys understand the devastating impact of losing a loved one and will handle your case with the sensitivity it deserves while pursuing maximum compensation.
Can I recover compensation if the truck accident aggravated a pre-existing injury?
Yes, you can recover compensation for the aggravation or worsening of a pre-existing condition caused by a truck accident. Under the “eggshell plaintiff” rule, the at-fault party is responsible for all injuries caused by the accident, even if you were more vulnerable due to a pre-existing condition. We’ll work with medical professionals to clearly document how the accident worsened your condition and calculate the additional treatment, pain, and limitations you’ve experienced.
What happens if the truck driver who hit me doesn't have adequate insurance?
When the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance coverage, you may still have options for recovery through your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, the trucking company’s policy, or other liable parties involved in the accident. We can also pursue claims against cargo companies, maintenance providers, or parts manufacturers if their negligence contributed to the crash. Our 18-wheeler accident attorneys will explore every available avenue to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and losses.