Texas is a major transportation hub, and commercial trucks travel through San Antonio daily. When people are involved in an accident, they can get seriously hurt.
When this happens, the truck accident lawyers at Tracey Fox & Walters hold the negligent parties responsible. Call (713) 495-2333 and contact us to schedule a consultation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in San Antonio
- Driver Fatigue and Long Hours: Truck drivers often face rigorous schedules, leading to drowsiness and fatigue behind the wheel.
- Distracted or Impaired Truck Drivers: Distractions like texting or impairment from substances significantly increase crash risks.
- Poor Truck Maintenance and Mechanical Failures: Trucking companies’ failure to properly maintain vehicles can cause brake failure, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues leading to accidents.
Types of Commercial Trucks Involved in Crashes
- 18-Wheelers and Big Rigs: These large tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, causing devastating impacts in collisions.
- Semi-Trucks and Delivery Vehicles: Including dump trucks, cement mixers, garbage trucks, tow trucks, and delivery trucks, these vehicles also contribute to serious accidents on San Antonio roads.
Serious Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
Injuries caused by a truck accident can also be serious and life-changing. People may suffer injuries to the spinal cord or a traumatic brain injury. They may lose a limb. Other serious injuries include burns, broken bones, and damage to internal organs. Minor injuries can consist of muscle sprains, cuts, and bruises.
These injuries can also have a significant financial impact. The cost of treatment can get quite expensive, especially when surgery and hospital stays are required. Additional doctor's visits, physical therapy, and medication may also be needed. If a person is left unable to work, it can be hard to pay the bills.
Don’t let medical bills and lost wages add to your burden. Call (713) 495-2333 today to discuss your options with Tracey Fox & Walters.
Catastrophic and Life-Changing Injuries
- Severe spinal cord injuries (often resulting in paralysis)
- Traumatic brain injuries (causing long-term cognitive and physical impairments)
- Amputations
- Severe burns
- Broken bones
- Extensive damage to internal organs
In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including those from truck accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means injured victims must file their lawsuit within this timeline or risk losing the right to pursue compensation.
Wrongful Death in Trucking Accidents
For wrongful death claims related to truck accidents, the two-year period starts from the date of the victim's death, not the accident date. There are exceptions, such as for minors (where the clock starts at age 18) or in cases of mental incapacity. Because these deadlines are strict, consulting a San Antonio truck accident attorney is essential to protect your claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
Liability in a truck accident can involve multiple parties, including but not limited to:
- Truck Driver: Negligent actions such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or impairment can make the driver liable.
- Trucking Company: The employer may be responsible for negligent hiring, training, enforcement of tight delivery schedules violating hours-of-service rules, or failure to maintain the truck.
- Cargo Loaders: If the cargo was improperly loaded or secured, causing weight imbalance or shifting during transit, the loading company can share liability.
- Maintenance and Repair Companies: Negligent maintenance or failure to fix mechanical problems on the truck can contribute to accidents, making these contractors liable.
- Truck or Parts Manufacturers: Defective truck parts or design flaws that cause mechanical failure can result in manufacturer liability.
- Truck Owner or Leasing Company: If the truck is leased or rented and the owner failed to maintain it properly, liability could extend to them.
- Government Entities: In some cases, poorly designed or maintained roads and infrastructure issues can contribute to crashes, implicating government agencies.
Determining who is liable requires a detailed investigation that includes reviewing driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, witness reports, and accident scene evidence to hold all negligent parties accountable.
How Truck Accident Claims Differ From Car Accidents
Tractor-trailers, or 18-wheelers, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Other commercial trucks are also much larger than cars. These include box trucks, refrigerated trucks, dump trucks, logging trucks, flatbed trucks, oil tankers, and cement and concrete mixers. When trucks crash into a car, the damage can be severe.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Bexar County
- Ensure safety and call 911 immediately.
- Seek medical attention—even for minor symptoms—to document injuries.
- Collect evidence at the scene: photos, witness contacts, truck driver/license info.
- Report the accident to police and file a report.
- Contact an experienced San Antonio truck accident attorney before speaking with insurance companies or trucking firms.
Compensation Available in Truck Accident Cases
Seeking fair compensation requires understanding the types of damages available under Texas law. These damages can help cover medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the accident. An experienced San Antonio truck accident attorney can evaluate all potential damages and fight for compensation for your injuries
Types of compensation truck accident victims can pursue include:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for hospital bills, surgeries, emergency care, medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and future medical treatments related to the injury.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to inability to work after the accident, including both past and future wages if the injury affects earning capacity.
- Property Damage: Payment to repair or replace vehicles and personal belongings damaged or destroyed in the crash.
- Physical Impairment and Disfigurement: Damages for permanent disabilities, scarring, or disfigurement that affect quality of life.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress endured as a result of the accident and injuries.
- Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish: Awards for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, or PTSD stemming from the crash.
- Punitive Damages: In cases involving gross negligence or egregious conduct by the truck driver or company, the court may award punitive damages intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
- Wrongful Death: Families of victims who died in truck accidents can pursue damages for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and grief.
Texas Trucking Laws That May Impact Your Case
Truck drivers and trucking companies in Texas must comply with a range of strict federal and state regulations designed to ensure safety on the roads. Key regulations that can significantly impact your truck accident case include:
- Hours of Service Rules: Governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), these rules limit how many hours drivers can operate to prevent fatigue. In Texas, interstate truck drivers may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, with limits on total hours worked within a 7 or 8-day period. Violations of these limits can demonstrate driver negligence.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements: Texas requires drivers to have a valid CDL specific to the type of vehicle they operate, along with endorsements for hazardous materials or tank trucks where applicable. Recent regulations also mandate English language proficiency and proper licensing verification.
- New 2025 Regulations: Recent updates include mandates for speed limiters on certain trucks, stricter penalties for unsecured loads, elimination of paper license plates to combat fraud, and enhanced inspection enforcement. These laws raise the standard for trucking companies and drivers, and violations are critical evidence in truck accident claims.
How a San Antonio Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
If you've been injured in a truck accident in San Antonio, you may not know what to do next. Contact us and our experienced truck accident lawyers will take action.
Trucking companies usually send investigators to the scene of a truck accident soon after it happens. But they are only looking to protect themselves. That's why we conduct our own investigation. Our investigators will:
- Review all documents, police reports, and medical records
- Subpoena the trucking company documents
- Seek information from the truck's electronic logging device (ELD) or "black box."
- Interview witnesses (the truck driver, police officers, other drivers, or pedestrians)
- Arrange to have an independent vehicle inspector examine the truck.
Our San Antonio personal injury attorneys look for any signs of negligence by the driver. For example, the driver may have been drowsy, distracted, or drunk. We will also ensure that the trucking company follows all federal guidelines regarding cargo loading, hours of service, and maintenance training. A violation of these guidelines can prove that the company was negligent.
Why Choose Tracey Fox & Walters for Your Case
Our truck accident attorneys take the time to build a strong case, leaving no stone unturned. We do this because it gets results. When defense attorneys see we've taken a case, they know we will have a complete command of the facts and be prepared to fight in court. We can often negotiate a suitable settlement for our clients, and we're prepared to go to trial if they don't make a reasonable offer.
Contact a Trusted San Antonio Truck Accident Attorney Today
Our San Antonio truck accident lawyers will also determine the amount of financial compensation you are owed. In general, people hurt in truck accident cases can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, physical impairment, and disfigurement. Other damages that can be recovered include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and possibly punitive damages.
Contact Tracey Fox & Walters at (713) 495-2333 to learn more about your options. We offer a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Antonio Truck Accidents
What should I do immediately after a truck accident?
- Ensure Safety and Call 911: First, check for injuries and call 911 to report the accident and request medical help if needed. Your safety and the safety of others is the top priority.
- Move Vehicles if Safe: If possible, move vehicles out of traffic and turn on hazard lights to avoid further collisions. Stay in a safe location.
- Collect Important Information: Get the truck driver’s name, contact details, insurance information, trucking company info, and vehicle details.
- Gather Evidence: Take clear photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and your injuries.
- Get Witness Information: Ask witnesses for their names and contact details, as their statements may support your claim.
- Seek Medical Attention Promptly: Even if injuries seem minor, see a doctor right away to document your condition and prevent hidden complications.
- Avoid Admitting Fault: Stick to the facts when speaking to law enforcement or others at the scene. Do not admit fault or speculate on the cause.
How is fault determined in a truck accident?
Fault in a truck accident is established by examining evidence of negligence or violations by the truck driver, company, or other responsible parties. Investigations review driver logs, maintenance records, cargo loading procedures, the truck’s electronic data recorder (black box), and witness statements. Failure to comply with federal and Texas trucking regulations can establish liability.
How long do I have to file a claim in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim from a truck accident is generally two years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims related to a truck accident, the two-year period begins on the date of the victim’s death. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing the legal right to pursue compensation.
What types of damages can I recover?
Victims of truck accidents in San Antonio can seek compensation for a variety of damages including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, property damage, and physical impairment or disfigurement. Damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish are also recoverable. In cases involving gross negligence or recklessness, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party. Families of deceased victims may pursue wrongful death damages covering funeral costs and loss of companionship.
Do I have to pay legal fees upfront?
Most truck accident attorneys in San Antonio work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay any upfront legal fees. Instead, the attorney receives a percentage of the settlement or jury award if the case is won. This arrangement allows injured victims to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. It is important to clarify fee agreements during your initial consultation to understand any costs and fees associated with your case.
How much are most truck accident settlements?
Truck accident settlements vary widely depending on factors like injury severity, property damage, liability strength, and the impact on the victim’s life. Settlements can range from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries to millions for catastrophic injuries or wrongful death cases. Because each case is unique, consulting with an experienced San Antonio truck accident attorney is essential to evaluate the potential value of your claim. Attorneys can help ensure you pursue the maximum compensation available for your damages.
