San Antonio 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

San Antonio Freight Corridors

San Antonio’s position at the junction of I-35, I-10, and I-37 makes commercial traffic a regular part of driving in the area. 

Corridors and interchanges with a disproportionate share of truck-involved crashes include:

• The I-35 / I-10 "downtown Y" interchange: Tight merges and long-term rehab work can affect sightlines and braking distance.
• I-35 near I-410 (Windcrest–Live Oak area): Heavy merge traffic combined with ongoing construction can cause accidents.
• I-35's Laredo–San Antonio stretch: This primary international freight route carries an outsized share of daily truck volume, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Why the location of your crash matters: Tell our attorneys where the crash happened and identify nearby landmarks when you can. The location may help identify traffic-control features, road conditions, witnesses, available video, and agencies or entities connected to relevant roadway conditions.

Federal Trucking Regulations That Matter to Your Case

Truck drivers and trucking companies operate under federal safety rules that don’t apply to ordinary passenger vehicles. Compliance records can be important evidence in a commercial truck accident claim, but a rule violation doesn’t automatically establish liability.

Examples of federal trucking regulations include:

• Hours-of-service limits: Under 49 CFR § 395.3, property-carrying commercial drivers generally may not drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty or drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
• Electronic logging devices: Electronic logging devices are part of the federal hours-of-service compliance framework for covered commercial motor vehicles. Their data may help show duty status and driving time around a crash.
• Carrier safety history: Trucking companies maintain vehicle inspection and maintenance records. Driver qualification materials, dispatch records, cargo documentation, and available vehicle data may also be relevant to an investigation.

What Compensation Can I PUrsue After a Truck Accident?

After a truck crash in San Antonio, you may be able to pursue economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical expenses: Hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and ongoing medical treatment
• Lost wages: Compensation for time missed from work or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering: Physical and emotional effects of injuries
• Property damage: Repairs or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings
• Loss of consortium: The effect on a relationship or family life
• Wrongful death damages: Potential losses available in a wrongful death claim after a fatal truck accident

Potential damages depend on the facts, documented injuries and losses, available evidence, and applicable law. Our truck accident lawyer in San Antonio can negotiate with trucking companies and insurers and, when appropriate, prepare the case for court.

What If I’m Partly Responsible for the Truck Accident?

Texas comparative responsibility can reduce your recovery by your percentage of responsibility. Under Chapter 33, recovery is generally barred if your responsibility is greater than 50 percent. If you are 50% responsible or less, you may still recover damages, reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

What Should I Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident?

1. Seek medical attention: Visit a licensed healthcare provider to rule out underlying harm and establish documentation of your injuries.
2. Report the accident: Call 911 to report the accident to local law enforcement. You may also request a copy of the official police report for your records.
3. Gather evidence: Take photos or videos of your injuries, vehicular damage, vehicle identifiers, and relevant landmarks when it’s safe to do so.
4. Collect information: Exchange contact and insurance information with other involved parties, including eyewitnesses at the scene.
5. Seek legal counsel: Before giving a recorded statement to an opposing insurer, consider what information is being requested. Our truck accident attorney in San Antonio can evaluate the crash and applicable filing deadlines.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?

Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003(a), a personal injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the accident. Exceptions can apply, so it’s important to evaluate the deadline promptly. Our 18-wheeler accident attorney in San Antonio can examine your case and help you meet applicable deadlines.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

• Driver fatigue: Hours-of-service records may be relevant when fatigue is suspected
• Distracted driving: Using a phone, GPS, or onboard system while driving
• Speeding and aggressive driving: Driving too fast for conditions or taking unsafe risks
• Improper loading: Overloaded or unevenly loaded cargo that can make a truck unstable
• Poor vehicle maintenance: Neglected maintenance that may contribute to brake, tire, or other equipment problems
• Inadequate training: Training records that may be relevant to driver preparation and company practices
• Weather and road conditions: Rain, fog, or road conditions when a driver doesn’t adjust driving appropriately

Common Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents

• Jackknife accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab
• Rear-end collisions: Heavy trucks take much longer to stop than cars
• Underride accidents: When a smaller vehicle slides underneath a truck’s trailer
• Rollover accidents: When a top-heavy or overloaded truck tips while turning or traveling on uneven terrain
• Blind-spot collisions: When large blind spots around a truck hide smaller vehicles during a lane change or merge
• Tire blowouts: When a tire bursts and contributes to a driver losing control of the truck
• Wide-turn accidents: When a truck makes a wide right turn near another vehicle or pedestrian

Each accident pattern raises different evidence questions. The pattern alone isn’t proof of fault, so the available records and crash evidence must be evaluated carefully.

Common Semi-Truck Accident Injuries

Because of their size and weight, semi-truck accidents can cause severe or fatal injuries. Victims may face lengthy recovery, lost income, and emotional trauma. 

Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones and crush injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Severe burns or lacerations
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Amputations or loss of limbs
• Wrongful death

Our San Antonio truck accident lawyer works closely with medical professionals, economists, and accident reconstruction professionals when their input is relevant to evaluating current and future losses.