This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm, Principal Office in San Antonio

San Antonio 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers

Truck accident injuries are both common and severe. The size and weight of a large truck or tractor-trailer, along with the tendency of the trailer to overturn or “jackknife”, means that injuries suffered in a truck accident can be particularly catastrophic. Brain injuries, amputations, broken limbs, and paraplegia frequently result from these accidents.  If a semi-truck happens to be carrying hazardous or flammable materials, the dangers only multiply. Burns can further compound a victim’s injuries, and respiratory problems can occur if toxic cargo is inhaled during the collision. These factors contribute to the unfortunate reality that many 18 wheeler accident injuries can be fatal. Victims of truck wrecks who survive are often left with lifelong disabilities that may impact their ability to earn a living and accomplish everyday activities. More info on this website

Because 18 wheeler accident injuries can have such dire consequences, establishing the cause of the accident and who is to blame is important. Compensation may be needed to pay for expensive medical bills, loss of income, property damage, and sometimes the pain and suffering caused by losing a loved one. An immediate investigation of a tractor-trailer accident is critical to preserve evidence relevant to any accident claim. The semi-trucks maintenance records, the driver’s log book, the truck’s “black box,” which records data before, after, and during the crash, and any eyewitness accounts, can all play a key role if a personal injury victim brings a lawsuit. A thorough investigation will also evaluate any prior violations of relevant trucking regulations on the part of the trucking company or driver that may have contributed to the truck wreck. An injured victim cannot be expected to collect all of this information. An attorney with experience in truck accident injury cases can be invaluable. A law firm with access to medical experts and other specialists will be able to prepare a more effective case and recover necessary damages.

If you have been involved in a truck wreck and suffered severe injuries, you have a  right to determine who was at fault – and to hold them responsible. Injuries caused by a truck accident can alter your life permanently, so obtaining compensation can be critical to securing your future. Our Law Firm has experience handling truck accident injury cases. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck wreck, contact the personal injury lawyers at our Law Firm today. For more information on trucking accidents in Texas, please review our Trucking Accidents page and Trucking Accidents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please fill out our online Vehicle Accident Evaluation Form.

This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm, Principal Office in San Antonio

Crashes Caused by Speeding Truck In San Antonio

Truck drivers who speed or travel too fast for road and weather conditions are most likely the biggest cause of truck crashes. Our excellent personal injury lawyer is going to know how to figure out if speed became a contributing factor in a truck crash. If exceeding the speed limit brought on the accident, a law firm should do their best to recover comprehensive compensation for the client.

Find a legal professional with years of practical experience with truck accident cases.
If you’ve been hurt because of a truck accident, speak to a law firm that can investigate your case and decide if the speed of the truck would have been a contributing factor.

Types of Accidents Caused by Speeding Trucks:

Inability to stop and prevent a collision
Driving too fast on rain-slicked highways, hydroplaning
Jackknifing because the driver lost control
Flipping due to the fact the driver lost control of an overloaded truck while driving too fast
Colliding with a car ahead
Losing control and leaving the roadway

A lot of speed-related incidents are a result of a combination of factors such as a driver hurrying to meet a delivery deadline. Speed also exaggerates the consequences of other causes. Brake failure combined with excessive speed will be much more hazardous than brake failure at regular speeds. A tire blowout at high speed can make a truck more difficult to manage than it would be at a lower speed. A tired driver who travels too fast is more likely to lose control of the truck. Most of the time, the law firm should check out the motorist’s record for speeding violations, use an accident reconstructionist, video the scene, and analyze the damage to the truck to uncover proof of too much speed.

A skilled personal injury lawyer will interview witnesses and talk with first responders. Furthermore, the personal injury attorney should review the driver’s log to determine if the trip distance was in line with posted speed limits. Following a thorough evaluation, the lawyer can determine whether too much speed was a contributing factor to the incident which resulted in the client’s injuries. The personal injury attorney should then do their best to recoup full compensation for the client’s healthcare fees, lost earnings, and damages for personal injuries. Speak with a good personal injury attorney who knows how to investigate accidents caused by speeding trucks. Find a Personal Injury Attorney immediately if you have been hurt by an auto collision. A Car and Truck Accident Lawyer may be able to help get you the compensation you deserve.

Truck Accident FAQs

What should I do if I’m ever in an accident with an 18-wheeler?
The first and most important thing is to get immediate help. Flag down passersby and call 911 for police and emergency medical teams. The next steps you should take are:

Get information from the truck driver, including name, company, address, and phone numbers.
Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses or anyone else involved in the truck accident, including passengers.
Write down any relevant details of the crash while they are still fresh in your mind – time of day, location, and weather conditions.
If you have a camera, or camera phone, take photos of the truck wreck site, including the positions of the truck and car, and any other vehicles involved in the accident.
Get a copy of the police report when it is available.
Gathering evidence at the truck accident scene will help you and your truck accident attorneys make the case for compensation from the parties responsible for the accident. More here

My car was totaled in an accident with a tractor-trailer. I was hurt, but I have good insurance. What should I do?

You will want to contact an experienced tractor-trailer wreck lawyer. This is especially critical in cases of injuries that may not appear at first but will show up over time. An 18-wheeler accident attorney will work to make sure that you get adequate medical diagnoses and advice.

The Texas 18-wheeler accident lawyers at our Law Firm can be counted on to listen to your concerns, explain your rights and options, and pursue your case diligently and aggressively until you get the justice you deserve. An initial personal and confidential consultation is free of charge. Contact us for a free truck accident claim evaluation.

How common are truck wrecks common in Texas?

According to preliminary statistics for 2020, in TX there were:

206 large trucks involved in fatal crashes
2,390 large trucks involved in injury crashes.
3.236 injuries in crashes involving large trucks.

Why is a collision with a truck so dangerous?

Accidents between a large truck, tractor-trailer, or 18-wheeler and an automobile can cause very serious injuries and fatalities, particularly to the passengers in the car. These big trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds – more than 15 times the weight of the average car. Because of the types of injuries, large trucks can cause, drivers of semi-trucks and 18-wheelers are considered to have an even greater standard of care than other drivers.

What are some of the most common causes of tractor-trailer accidents?

Some of the most common causes of tractor-trailer wrecks in Texas are:

An unlicensed driver
Speeding
Disobeying safety procedures
Repair and maintenance problems
Failure to yield the right of way
Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
Driver fatigue
Brake failure
Blown tires
Overloaded trailer
Loads that shift weight

What are the most common types of injuries sustained in a semi-truck crash?

Trucking accidents studies show that the most serious injuries in 18-wheeler accidents may involve the brain or spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can result in loss of movement or feeling, or in paralysis. Brain injuries — which are sometimes not visible and therefore often missed in initial emergency room examinations – have a wide range of traumatic effects, including:

Loss of memory
Inability to concentrate
Depression or other mental health problems
Diminishment of eyesight
Hearing loss
Retardation
A tractor-trailer collision can also cause a number of less serious, but still costly injuries, including broken bones and internal injuries.

I was hurt in a crash with an 18-wheeler, and the truck driver admitted he fell asleep behind the wheel. What kind of damages can I recover?

Your recovery could include compensation for your medical expenses, hospital bills, income lost because of missed work, pain and suffering, future medical or physical therapy expenses, and compensation for any loss of earning capacity resulting from the accident.

Who can I sue?

Responsible parties may include the driver of the tractor-trailer, the trucking company, and perhaps the truck’s manufacturer if it can be proven that the truck accident was caused by some defect in the truck.

Why should I choose your Law Firm?

We represent individuals and the families of victims who have been seriously injured or killed in trucking accidents throughout the state of Texas. When tractor-trailer collisions do occur, trucking companies involved in the accident often send representatives to the accident scene. These agents work to handle everything at the scene of the accident so that they can limit or mitigate their company’s liability. With the truck accident attorneys of our Law Firm on your side, you will have an experienced team of litigators fighting for you.