Parra Law Is Called To
Serve in San Antonio
Serve in San Antonio
San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer
Compassionate Representation for Truck Accident Victims
18-wheelers are a common sight on the roads in and around San Antonio. While commercial trucks are essential for transporting goods in an efficient and cost-effective manner, they pose a risk of harm to people on the road due to their immense size and weight and must be operated with appropriate care. Unfortunately, however, not all tractor-trailer drivers employ proper driving techniques and truck accidents are common.
When a truck accident happens, we at Parra Law Firm, PLLC, can help. Our personal injury team knows the challenges of these cases and how to properly fight for your best interests. Our skillful San Antonio truck accident lawyers can advise you of your rights and assist you in pursuing the full amount of damages recoverable under the law.
Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation. Call our San Antonio office at (210) 332-5454 for an appointment.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Parties that own or operate commercial trucks in Texas must adhere to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations (the Regulations) and Texas Administrative Rules. Generally, the Regulations dictate the maximum number of hours drivers can operate a truck per day and per week. They also establish weight limits for commercial trucks.
Failure to abide by the limits imposed by the Regulations, as well as applicable laws, can lead to a serious accident in the following ways:
- The driver may become fatigued and fall asleep behind the wheel.
- If a trucking company or driver loads a truck with cargo that exceeds the limit, it can cause a tire blowout or rollover crash.
- Truck drivers have an obligation to abide by Texas traffic laws as well. Numerous truck collisions are caused by drivers exceeding the speed limit, failing to check their blind spots before changing lanes, driving drunk and following too closely behind other vehicles.
- Texting while driving means the truck is out of control, putting everyone else on the road in danger.
- 18-wheelers must also be adequately maintained and inspected to ensure that their brakes, headlights and other parts are in good working order. When they are not, it often leads to crashes.
Frequent Truck Crash Injuries
While any car accident can be very dangerous, a huge, multiton semi truck can cause terrible harm to people in smaller, lighter vehicles. Injuries that victims of truck accidents often suffer include:
- Multiple bone fractures
- Lacerations and deep bruising
- Organ damage and other internal injuries
- Severe burns
- Spine and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fatal injuries
While some truck collision injuries are relatively minor and eventually heal, too many victims experience catastrophic injuries that disable them for life or cause their death.
Pursuing Claims Following Truck Accidents
While many factors can bring about truck accidents, the root cause of most collisions is carelessness. As such, a person who wishes to pursue claims following truck accidents will generally set forth negligence claims against the truck driver in a civil lawsuit. Under Texas personal injury law, a plaintiff pursuing a negligence claim has to show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty.
In some instances, the duty owed may be to act with reasonable care under the circumstances, but in truck accident cases, it may also be a duty imposed by a regulation or traffic law. The plaintiff then has to prove that the defendant breached the duty in some way. Finally, the plaintiff must show that they suffered quantifiable damages and that the defendant’s breach caused the losses sustained.
In other words, the plaintiff has to prove that the defendant’s breach was a primary factor in bringing about the collision and the plaintiff’s harm. If the defendant driver was working for a trucking company at the time of the crash and was acting within the course and scope of their job duties, the trucking company may be deemed vicariously liable for any harm sustained in the accident as well.
Truck Accident FAQ
Unless you have been through a truck accident lawsuit before, it is natural to feel confused by the process. Here are answers to some of our clients’ most frequently asked questions.
What Should I Do if I Am in a Truck Accident?
Your safety is the most important thing. Pull over or get out of traffic if you and your passengers are able. Call 911 to report the accident and ask for emergency medical attention. If you are able, exchange insurance and contact information with the truck driver and get contact info from any third-party witnesses. Take photos of the accident scene and the damage to your car. Unless you need to be rushed to the hospital, wait at the scene until the police arrive and ask for a copy of their accident report.
Finally, contact a personal injury attorney who handles trucking accident cases. An attorney can advise you of what your claim is worth and represent you in settlement negotiations with the insurance company and in court if necessary.
Are Delivery Vehicles Trucks?
Most delivery vehicles are smaller and lighter than the typical semi truck. But they are still larger than most passenger vehicles and can cause a lot of damage in a crash. Unlike semis, delivery trucks are common on residential streets, so you never know when you might encounter one being driven carelessly near your home.
What Is a Black Box?
You may have heard about an airplane’s black box, which is a device that records operating information that investigators examine after a plane crash or other incident. Black boxes in 18-wheelers work the same way. A truck’s “black box” is a system of computerized systems that record information, such as the truck’s speed and how hard the driver braked just before the collision. Obviously, black box data can be invaluable after an accident – which is why trucking companies are typically reluctant to share it with plaintiffs.
Meet With an Experienced Attorney
The experienced San Antonio attorneys of Parra Law Firm, PLLC, possess the skills and resources needed to hold the parties that cause truck accidents accountable and if you engage our services, we will work tirelessly to help you seek the most favorable legal outcome possible under the facts of your case.
We frequently represent people in truck accident cases in San Antonio and in nearby cities. You can contact us via the online form or at (210) 332-5454 to set up a free and confidential conference.