18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer San Antonio

San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler in San Antonio, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced lawyers offer a free consultation to discuss your case and determine if you have a claim. We will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Legal Options In A Serious 18-Wheeler Accident In San Antonio

Understanding the intricacies of commercial liability insurance can also be confusing. Our attorneys know how insurance and trucking companies operate, and we work hard to ensure that our clients get the maximum compensation.
There are multiple factors to be considered in getting full and fair compensation in a truck accident, so it is important to consult a San Antonio 18-wheeler accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Steps To Be Followed After A Truck Accident In San Antonio

If you find yourself in an automobile or truck accident, here are a few steps that you should follow, regardless of which state the accident occurred:

• Stop – If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a vehicle accident, DO NOT drive away. Leaving the scene of an accident may be a violation of the law and will not allow you to preserve evidence for a potential legal claim.
• Stay calm – Try to remain calm, make note of your surroundings, and capture the circumstances surrounding the accident (e.g., time of day, traffic level, location, any admissions or omissions of the other driver, etc.).
• Move out of the way of traffic –If you have sustained only minor injuries and can drive, it is advisable to move to the side of the road to allow for the flow of traffic to continue. If the vehicle cannot move, stay inside with your seat belts on until help arrives. Also, remember to turn on your hazard lights.
• Call for medical assistance – If you have suffered severe injuries, you may require emergency assistance and an ambulance.
• Contact the police – Call the police from the location of the accident. Dial 911 and report the collision to a law enforcement officer.
• Do not discuss accident specifics with anyone – When speaking to police, limit discussion to the details of the accident. Be cooperative, but do not discuss driver fault regardless of what they might say.
• Document the accident – If you have not been seriously injured and are capable without risking further injury, take photographs of the damage caused to the vehicles involved, the road conditions, the traffic lights, the intersection or cross-streets, and anything else you think is relevant.  Maintain these photos in a safe place.

Sometimes accidents happen despite our best efforts to avoid them. If you are involved in an accident, do not panic. These were some guidelines and legal requirements to follow that will ensure any future legal claims are protected.

Causes Of Truck Accidents In San Antonio

Considering the enormous size of most commercial trucks makes it easy to understand how they can be highly dangerous on the road. Truck wrecks can cause severe injuries ranging from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to broken bones, amputations to spinal cord injuries.

• Speeding
• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Poor truck maintenance
• Product liability
• Highway hypnosis

When commercial trucks are completely loaded then they can weigh nearly 80,000 pounds. This is in contrast to typical passenger vehicles that weigh around 3000 pounds. Thus, it is no surprise that truck accidents involve wrongful deaths.

Be sure to seek assistance from a San Antonio Auto Accident Lawyer if you have been injured in a truck collision, whether a semi-truck accident or another type of truck.

What Types Of Injuries Are Caused In Truck Accidents In San Antonio

Some of the most common injuries that are caused due to truck accidents are:

• Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Broken bones or fractures
• Wrongful death
• Soft tissue injuries
• Lacerations

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you can take action against the negligent party and ensure that your rights are protected. Find out what type of legal recourse you may have by contacting experienced San Antonio Truck accident attorneys.

18-Wheeler Accident Liability

18-wheeler accidents can often be attributed to fatigue, prolonged hours of driving, excessive speeding, driver impairment, and unfavorable weather conditions.
Additionally, certain international trade deals have led to the influx of poorly maintained 18-wheelers from Mexico and Central America on American highways.
At Khattar Law, PC, we are familiar with federal and state regulations that allow us to spot safety violations and establish liability in accidents. We are skilled in accurately assessing accidents involving 18-wheelers and other damages resulting from motor vehicle accidents.

We can evaluate all damages and persuasively argue for the settlement you deserve. Our negotiation and litigation skills can help you get the compensation you need.

18-wheeler accidents may involve multiple insurance policies, different insurers, and multiple liable parties. If another driver caused the accident, you must determine whether the driver was working for an employer, company, or independent contractor. It is also important to determine whether the driver was engaged in the company’s business during the accident. If the driver was working outside the scope of their employment, the employer might not be liable. A San Antonio 18-wheeler accident attorney can evaluate your case and help you determine who may be liable for your injuries.

To achieve a complete settlement, all parties’ insurers must be contacted to recover compensation for medical treatment and damage incurred by your car and other property. The San Antonio 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer has the requisite knowledge and skill to help you obtain a fair settlement for your injuries.

What Types Of Collisions Are Common For Trucks?

When the truck driver loses control of the truck or drives carelessly, a truck collision may occur. Some of the fundamental truck wrecks are as follows:

• Rollover Accidents. 
• Jackknife Accidents. 
• Wide Turn or “Squeeze Play” Accidents. 
• Underride Accidents. 
• T-Bone Accidents.
• Blind Spot Accidents.
• Truck Tire Blowouts.
• Rear-End Truck Accidents.

Truck drivers must be careful enough to maintain speed limits, apply brakes within time, maintain a safe distance, and follow all the safety regulations to prevent any dangerous truck wrecks.

Who Is Responsible For Commercial Truck Accidents?

It is complex to understand who is liable for the damages in commercial truck accidents including semi-trucks, big rigs, and others. Suppose, the truck driver is operating according to their responsibilities, and the trucking company or the employer will be liable for the damages. Some of the parties that may be held liable for the commercial truck accidents are:

• Truck driver
• Trucking company
• Manufacturing Company

Despite the liability rule, some trucking companies may deny their responsibility after a truck wreck. A Commercial Truck Accident Attorney can help you to file an accident claim. In most cases, the trucking company is the defendant and the insurance company will pay you the settlement amount.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there is no distinction between an employee and an independent contractor. As per this rule, truck drivers will be regarded as employees of the trucking company.

Texas Truck Accidents Statistics

As per the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in 2018, serious truck wrecks that caused injuries comprised 460 trucks, 786 semi-trucks, and 11 fire trucks.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2017 large truck accidents were caused by some driver-related factors.

It was determined that speeding caused 299 crashes, distraction injured 263 people, and failure to yield caused nearly 208 crashes. Some of the other factors were weather conditions that caused 167 crashes, failure to stay in the proper lane causing 136 crashes, and failure to obey safety rules leading to 125 crashes.

Trucks are an essential part of the United States’ infrastructure, transporting and delivering goods to all corners of the country. This overland freight network, which trucks account for, is valued at nearly $800 billion in America alone!

In an effort to promote road safety, Texas lawmakers recently passed a law in 2021 due to the overwhelming number of injuries and fatalities caused by semi-trucks. This new legislation is aimed at protecting truck drivers as well as other motorists who share the roads with them.

By law, all trucks must incorporate a forward-facing camera that captures footage of the vehicle and its environment. This will help avert truck collisions and decrease unsafe driving habits from drivers on the road.

Regulations For Truck Drivers

The following are a few rules that must be abided by all truck drivers.

• All truck drivers must have been issued a commercial driving license.
• All truck drivers must follow the “Hours of Service” regulations 49 CFR 395 set by FMCSA that govern the maximum number of hours an individual may operate a commercial motor vehicle. 
• Trucks must pass all manufacturer, safety, and environmental regulatory standards.
• All commercial vehicles are required to be inspected at regular intervals. If a manufacturing defect in the truck caused the accident, you may have a legal claim against the manufacturer, repairer, or supplier of the truck.

If the vehicle is carrying hazardous waste, it must also follow Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) regulations. Failure to follow any of these rules may be evidence of wrongdoing.

How 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover The Damages You Deserve

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck or 18-wheeler accident, the experienced injury lawyers at Khattar Law, PC, are here to help. Our San Antonio 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers can help you recover damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

We have experience in personal injury and wrongful death litigation, including cases involving trucking companies, owner-operators, freight handlers, and intercity bus lines.

We Specialize In Crashes Involving:

• Local service and maintenance trucks
• Airport limos and hospitality vans
• Construction vehicles
• Local or long-distance buses or motor coaches
• Other professionally operated vehicles

We can inform you about your legal options following a serious truck accident.

Contact San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer at Khattar Law, PC

If you have been involved in an accident involving a heavy-equipment hauler, an 18-wheeler, or any other commercial vehicle, contact the San Antonio Truck accident lawyer at 210-923-1234 for a free consultation. Jason Khattar has more than 20 years of experience in truck accident cases.

Commonly Asked Questions About San Antonio 18 Wheeler Accident Cases

Below are five frequently asked questions and answers about 18-wheeler accidents and how a San Antonio 18 Wheeler injury lawyer may be able to help you.

Q. What if the party liable offers you insurance money?

Do not take the insurance money offered by the opposing party without consulting your own San Antonio 18-wheeler accident lawyer. At-fault parties often attempt to skirt liability by offering money through their insurance companies.

These amounts are even less than what you may be entitled to through proper negotiation. Agreeing to their terms can be a huge mistake that could lead to signing away your legal rights. Always contact a San Antonio 18-wheeler accident lawyer to discuss your options before agreeing to anything.

Q. What should I do if I am involved in an 18-wheeler accident?

Seek immediate medical attention. It may be difficult to ascertain the full extent of your injuries. Seek medical attention or call 911 immediately following the accident—important document facts. While obtaining proof is secondary to seeking appropriate medical attention, documenting and identifying may help your claim.

Capturing the truck’s registration number or license plate information may later aid in the legal process. Contact a lawyer. After seeking appropriate medical attention, contact a San Antonio 18-wheeler accident attorney to assist in establishing liability and filing a claim for the damages you have suffered.

Q. How to select an attorney following an 18-wheeler accident?

Always look for an attorney experienced in handling 18-wheeler accidents. An 18-wheeler crash attorney will have the knowledge and skills to manage your case effectively.

Q. How are 18-wheeler accidents different than other motor vehicle accidents?

In 18-wheeler accidents, other parties aside from the drivers may also be liable because of truck maintenance issues and manufacturer-caused mechanical faults. This is why an 18-wheeler truck accident victim should hire a legal professional to conduct a thorough investigation and determine who may be liable and the multiple insurers involved.

Q. How do trucking accident investigations work?

Trucking accident investigations are conducted by specialized law enforcement officers who have received training in the proper investigation techniques for truck accidents. The purpose of the investigation is to determine who was at fault for the crash and any other potential causes. Once a cause has been established, the investigators will create a report for insurance companies, local authorities, and other interested parties.

Q. Do you need to give a recorded statement to the trucking insurance adjuster?

No, you do not need to provide a recorded statement to the trucking insurance adjuster. It is important that you speak with your attorney first and have them advise you on the best course of action. Your attorney will be able to help protect your legal rights and ensure that any statements you make do not jeopardize your claim.