San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck Accident Lawyers in San Antonio

18-wheeler trucks are an inevitable sight on San Antonio highways. While most truck drivers go about their journeys without incident, it doesn’t take much for a crash to happen, and the outcome can be devastating.

Due to the pure difference in size between a tractor-trailer and the average car, truck accidents can cause fatal injuries. Even those fortunate to walk away from such an accident will likely face a long recovery from potentially life-changing injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, our San Antonio truck accident lawyers, led by Law Ninja Dr. Louis Patino, can help you get justice and compensation for your injuries.

Reach out and call us today at 855-LAW-NINJA for your free, no-obligation consultation or send us a confidential message on our contact page.

You can find us at our San Antonio office at 13974 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78217. Alternatively, let us know where you are, and we’ll happily come to you.

Why Hire a San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer?

Recovering from a truck accident isn’t a simple or quick process. You likely have severe injuries that require extensive (not to mention expensive!) treatment during a time when you’re unable to work and not sure when — or if — you can return. You’re entitled to recover compensation for your injuries, losses, and suffering, but you also need to focus on your recovery. Our San Antonio truck accident lawyers can take as much as possible off your plate as we fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

We’re a veteran-owned business that seeks to make a local impact to help injury victims and always strives to get you the maximum settlement you’re entitled to.

We also represent our clients on a contingency fee basis, so you never pay us upfront for our services — we only get paid a percentage of any settlement or judgment we help to secure. You have nothing to lose by calling our San Antonio truck accident lawyers today.

We can help you by:

  • Evaluating your case: As your truck accident lawyer, we can determine the likelihood that your case will succeed — whether in or out of court — the compensatory damages you can potentially recover, the individuals or companies you can file a claim against, and what to expect next.
  • Negotiating a settlement: We will work with insurers and other parties to ensure you receive a fair settlement offer. This means we’ll reject the lowball offers that insurance companies typically offer at the outset of talks and fight to get you maximum compensation.
  • Litigating your case: Unfortunately, not all truck accident claims settle during the negotiation phase. However, if you have a strong case, going to trial can be the better option and entitle you to significantly more compensation. As the truck accident lawyers San Antonio residents trust, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf. We’ll prepare the complaint and initial pleadings, write motions, present your claims, and argue your case at trial to persuade a jury of your right to receive compensation for your injuries.
  • Putting you at ease: We know being in a truck accident can be devastating. The last thing you want to do is worry about negotiating with stubborn insurance companies while you’re vulnerable. That’s why we’ll protect your legal rights while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Our truck accident lawyers at Patino Law Firm can evaluate your claim and determine whether you have a viable case, calculate how much compensation you could be entitled to, negotiate with the other party and their insurance company on your behalf, and manage any resulting litigation.

Contact your local truck accident attorneys in San Antonio today to get started with your free, no-obligation case review.

18 Wheeler Truck Accident Law Firm in Texas

What Injuries Can Our San Antonio Truck Accident Attorneys Help You Claim For?

Injuries and property damage from truck accidents are often debilitating and catastrophic. If a vehicle collides with a truck at high speeds, the car might be totaled and unrecoverable. More devastating, though, are the severe physical injuries truck accident victims often experience.

Some of the most common injuries that happen in truck accidents in San Antonio include:

  • Head injuries: Commonly resulting from truck accidents, injuries to the head can sometimes go unnoticed before becoming severe. For example, whiplash, which is caused by a rapid jerking movement, can cause a head injury that might not cause immediate symptoms, unlike a direct hit to the head. A medical exam after a truck accident can help identify head injuries early on — even if you think you’re okay.
  • Back and neck injuries: Injuries to the back and neck are often among the most serious. They can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, long-term rehabilitation, and decreased quality of life.
  • Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can result in damage to the central nervous system, which may lead to a loss of sensation or motor function (paralysis), significantly impacting the injured person’s quality of life.
  • Broken bones: A truck collision is more likely to cause broken bones due to a truck’s size and the high impact. Medical procedures to repair broken bones can sometimes include multiple surgeries and require physical therapy over many months or years to rebuild strength.
  • Lacerations and scarring: Large or deep lacerations can lead to permanent scarring. Courts often award compensation for “disfigurement” to help the injured party reduce scarring and relieve the accompanying physical and emotional pain.
  • Death: Data from 2020 shows that 4,014 people died in truck accidents in 2020. Of those, 608 were large truck occupants, 640 were pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists, and a shocking 2,713 — the overwhelming majority — were passenger vehicle occupants. When a negligent or reckless truck driver kills your loved one in a truck accident, you can seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and loss of income.

What Compensation Can a San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer Recover?

If you have a viable truck accident claim, you can potentially recover compensation for:

  • A disability caused by a truck accident: Truck accidents often cause severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage, which may result in paralysis. A traumatic brain injury might also lead to long-term memory problems or difficulty communicating, while a severe laceration to your arms or legs may require amputation. If you suffer any of these injuries, you may be entitled to significant damages to compensate you for your suffering and help you cope financially.
  • Related financial expenses and loss of income: This includes medical expenses related to hospital and emergency room visits, doctor visits, surgeries, and assistive medical devices, along with lost wages from being unable to work.
  • Property loss or damage: A settlement or court-ordered payout can result in you getting compensation for external financial damages, such as repairs to a vehicle or other property or structure damaged in a truck accident.
  • Pain and suffering: Many truck accident injuries cause significant pain and suffering, which may be emotional or physical and last anywhere from a few months to the rest of your life.
  • Punitive damages: If a truck driver’s actions rise to the level of gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing, a court might award additional compensation called punitive damages, intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter future similar acts.

Common Legal Issues and Who May Be Liable for Your San Antonio Truck Accident

Litigating a truck accident case is different from other personal injury cases. For example, truck accident lawyers in San Antonio need to gather extensive evidence, including the truck’s “black box” data and maintenance records. We must also determine whether a vehicle is a “legal truck”, which requires a detailed and specific analysis based on cargo type and vehicle weight.

Truck accident claims are complex and tend to involve multiple parties. These can include:

  • Truck drivers: Truck drivers can be liable if they are negligent in driving their vehicles. This can be through driving while distracted or intoxicated or violating federal regulations that dictate how and when a truck driver can operate their vehicle.
  • Truck companies: If a truck driver is acting as an employee when they cause an accident, the truck company they work for might also be liable under respondeat superior. This law is complicated, and you must prove specific requirements that can change on a case-by-case basis, which makes it vital to have a San Antonio truck accident lawyer in your corner.
  • Truck manufacturers: Seeking compensation against truck manufacturers is more common in trucking accidents than in conventional car accidents. State and federal regulations provide strict requirements for truck manufacturers. If a manufacturer fails to follow these regulations, they might be liable for damages.
  • Governments: Local authorities might be liable for failing to maintain roads properly if a road defect or obstruction contributes to a truck accident. Your truck accident lawyer in San Antonio might seek compensation from a government or its contractors if road conditions were a factor in your truck accident.

What Types of Commercial Trucks Are Commonly Involved in Truck Accidents?

There are many types of commercial trucks, ranging from 18-wheeler semi-trucks to flatbed trucks. Each has a unique use and can contribute to a truck accident differently. Here, we outline the most common types of commercial trucks involved in truck accidents in San Antonio:

18-Wheeler Semi-Trucks

18-wheeler semi-trucks, also known as simply 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and big rigs, are massive vehicles that can cause significant damage if they collide with a smaller car. Semi-trucks comprise the truck’s cab — where the driver sits — and one or more trailers, which carry the truck’s cargo. These vehicles are especially dangerous when fully loaded, as they can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. In a truck accident, the smaller vehicle absorbs much of this impact, which can cause severe injuries or fatalities.

Flatbed Trucks

Flatbed trucks are often used to transport heavy or large objects. These trucks can be difficult for drivers to maneuver, which can result in a deadly accident. Flatbed truck accidents typically happen when a trucker fails to stop at a red light or loses control of their vehicle and slams into traffic or a guardrail. Either accident can result in a devastating collision and cause severe injury for those involved.

Dump Trucks

Dump trucks are often used to transport large amounts of rocks, dirt, or other materials. Like other commercial trucks, they can be difficult to operate, so trucking companies must ensure their employees are fully trained and have the correct license.

You must seek legal assistance right away if you have been injured in a truck accident in San Antonio with any of these types of commercial trucks. A qualified truck accident lawyer can help you file a compensation claim and ensure you receive the damages you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions Our Truck Accident Lawyers in San Antonio Receive

Truck accidents are often complicated, involving multiple parties, extensive injuries, and significant damages. An experienced truck accident lawyer in San Antonio can help you navigate these complex legal issues, creating a unique strategy to secure the compensation you deserve.

This can involve:

  • Gathering all the evidence related to your claim: Relevant evidence for a truck accident claim includes medical records and expenses related to the accident, any records of the accident itself, insurance transactions and claims, expert witnesses and testimonies, and more.
  • Pre-litigation research: Your truck accident lawyer in San Antonio will research all the relevant statutes, laws, and previous case laws to support your claim.
  • Negotiating with insurance companies: The insurance company of the party (or parties) responsible for your accident will likely reach out to you and offer a settlement amount. This is usually an attempt to lowball you and persuade you to settle now for a quick payment, but you are usually entitled to much more. Your San Antonio semi-truck accident lawyer will handle all communications with insurance companies to ensure you don’t receive less than you deserve.
  • Negotiating with the truck driver’s lawyers: Whether the truck driver has a lawyer or if the truck driver’s company provides them with an attorney, having your own lawyer who understands the legal process will significantly benefit you.
  • Filing a complaint: If discussions do not lead to a successful settlement, a truck accident lawyer will draft and file a complaint in court. It will lay out the legal standards, the facts of your accident, and the amount of compensation you’re requesting for your injuries.
  • Discovery: Once both parties file the initial complaints or answers, the parties will engage in discovery, which involves gathering evidence to argue your case in court.
  • Trial: Your San Antonio truck accident lawyer will represent you in court, introducing evidence, direct and cross-examining witnesses, and presenting opening statements and closing arguments to persuade the jury you’re entitled to compensation.
  • Appeal: If either party is dissatisfied with the trial verdict, you can appeal the decision and have it reevaluated by an appeals court. Your lawyer will be there to guide you every step of the way.

Most cases end up settling out of court, but it’s essential to have a knowledgeable San Antonio truck accident lawyer by your side to guide you through these potential scenarios and ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

Some of the most common truck accidents in San Antonio, Texas, include:

  • Jackknife accidents: These occur when the truck driver breaks suddenly and the trailer swings out to the side of the truck at a 90-degree angle. A jackknife accident can cause a truck to overturn or roll over, which can lead to catastrophic injuries to the truck driver and others on the road.
  • Head-on and rear-end collisions: Similar to regular car accidents, this accident is when a large truck collides with another vehicle either head-on or from behind. Both are extremely dangerous types of accidents.
  • Blindspot accidents: Commercial trucks have large blind spots. These make truck drivers lose sight of other drivers or motorcyclists, which can cause accidents when switching lanes, at exits, or if another vehicle is following too closely.
  • Underride accidents: One of the deadliest types of truck accidents, these occur when a truck stops quickly, and the car behind it gets stuck under the tractor-trailer. The top part of the smaller vehicle is usually ripped off.
  • Tire blowouts: Tire blowouts are common with any vehicle. However, large commercial truck tires are especially susceptible to tire failure. If the tire erupts, the driver can easily lose control of the truck.
  • Rollover accidents: In any situation where a truck driver loses control, the truck could potentially roll over, making the truck itself and any cargo that falls out a hazard to other drivers on the road.

While we’d love to be able to give you a precise figure, the compensation you’ll receive after your truck accident will depend on several factors, including who’s at fault and your total losses. However, truck accident settlements can be significant and typically comprise the following:

  • Medical expenses: These include any costs associated with the accident, such as ambulance costs, hospital bills, surgery and medication expenses, and any rehabilitation or follow-up treatment you need after an accident.
  • Lost wages: If you can’t work due to injuries the accident caused, you can receive compensation for the income you lost.
  • Lost future income: If you know you can’t work or can no longer perform your usual job functions due to your injuries, you can seek compensation for the lost income you could have earned.
  • Loss of consortium or companionship: If you lost a loved one and are filing a wrongful death suit, you can receive compensation for the loss of companionship or consortium.
  • Pain and suffering: These expenses account for any physical or emotional damages or distress you incurred due to the accident.
  • Property damage: If a truck accident caused damages to your vehicle or any of your belongings, you could recover the costs as part of your claim.

The length of time your truck accident lawsuit will take depends on how long any evidence-gathering or investigation procedures take, how many parties are liable, and how well negotiations go between parties. The severity of your injuries can also impact how long the process takes, as it’s wise to wait until you’ve recovered as much as possible so you can recover maximum damages. This avoids your condition potentially getting worse after you settle, after which point you won’t be able to claim additional compensation.

As a result, truck accident claims can take several years. While you always have the option to accept an early settlement offer, this will usually be less than what you’re entitled to and may not be enough to cover all your expenses.

The statute of limitations to file a San Antonio truck accident claim in Texas is two years from the accident date. However, two years fly by quickly, and evidence can be harder to gather the longer you leave taking action.

It’s always advisable to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to find out where you stand and what your options are for recovering compensation.

While it can be tempting to accept an offer early on, especially if you have medical bills and can’t work, you should never sign any paperwork before running it past your San Antonio truck accident lawyer. The initial offer on the table is unlikely to cover the total expenses you will incur from your injuries. Our experienced attorneys can inform you of how much compensation you’re entitled to and postpone payment of your medical bills until you reach an agreement, so you’re not left struggling to make ends meet.

You do not need to hire a truck accident lawyer after an accident, but it’s highly recommended. Truck accident law is complex and can be difficult to navigate alone, especially if you’re recovering from severe injuries.

An experienced truck accident lawyer in San Antonio can gather evidence, conduct a full investigation into how the accident happened and who’s responsible, negotiate a settlement with multiple liable parties, and tap into their network of experts to secure testimony that supports your case.

Based on 2020 data from the National Safety Council (NSC), Texas takes the top spot when it comes to trucking accidents.

That year, 643 people were killed in large truck crashes in Texas, and the state leads by a considerable margin. California — in second place — saw 398 truck accident deaths, 245 less than Texas.

In terms of the percentage of trucks involved in fatal crashes, Wyoming takes the top spot with 19%. However, it’s important to put this into context — in this state, there were just 33 trucks in fatal crashes.

According to the NSC, in 2020, 107 thousand large trucks were involved in accidents resulting in injury. Of those, 4,842 trucks caused fatal accidents. While this is a 4% improvement compared to 2019, truck fatalities have notably increased by 33% since 2011. Actual fatalities totaled 4,965, up a staggering 31% since 2011. Of those, 71% of victims were occupants of other vehicles, with just 17% being truck occupants. The other 12% of fatalities comprised pedestrians and bicyclists.

Truck accidents are caused by any number of factors. Among the most common are:

  • Driver fatigue — This is a common cause of accidents when a trucker violates Hours of Service regulations and is on the road for longer than legally allowed, whether because they choose to or feel pressured to do so by their employer.
  • Distracted driving — Truckers are not immune to the same distractions as other motorists, such as texting while driving.
  • Driving under the influence — Drivers may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving. Truckers may even take stimulants to stay awake for longer and combat driver fatigue.
  • Unlicensed or untrained drivers — Trucking companies are required to ensure their drivers have proper training and the correct license for the type of truck they’re driving. If they fail to do so, they can be liable for any accidents that result.
  • Overloaded trucks — Trucks have a strict weight limit. If a truck is overloaded — whether by the driver, the trucking company, or the cargo company — the cargo can come loose or tip the balance of the truck and cause an accident.
  • Poorly maintained trucks — Trucks require regular maintenance to ensure they’re fit for the road. Multiple parties can be liable for a mechanical defect, including the manufacturer (if they were aware of the fault), a mechanic (if they spotted the fault and failed to fix it), and the trucking company (if they failed to arrange vehicle checks).

Call Our San Antonio Truck Accident Attorneys Today

If a truck accident injured you and you have a viable claim for damages, the expert San Antonio truck accident lawyers at Patino Law Firm can help you receive fair compensation. We provide our clients with individual attention and care to properly address their questions and concerns, and we work to ease any additional stress during an already challenging time.

Call us today at 210-646-9100 for a free, no-obligation consultation, or reach out to us through our contact page.

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