San Antonio Truck Accident Attorneys

Helping Our Clients Heal

Trucking accidents are a serious problem on Texas roads. Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in truck accidents. If you have been injured in a truck accident, it is important to speak to experienced truck accident lawyers as soon as possible. The lawyers at the Packard Law Firm can help you get the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Truck accidents can be caused by any number of factors, including driver error, equipment failure, and road conditions. Truck drivers have a duty to drive safely and obey the road rules. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any damages they cause. Trucking companies can also be held liable for damages caused by their employees in a trucking accident.

Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming. You may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. The last thing you want to deal with is the legal process. But if you want to get the full compensation you deserve, you need to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer who knows how to navigate the complex legal area of personal injury.

Our attorneys will review your case and determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit. We understand that this is a difficult time for you, and we will do everything we can to help you get through a truck accident case with liable parties involved. 

If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact the Packard Law Firm today at (210) 972-8918 for a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

There are many dangers on the road, but few are as deadly as a truck accident. In 2021, 5,601 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s an increase of 13 percent from the year before.

Various factors can cause truck accidents, but some are more common than others. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents:

Driver Error

One of the most common causes of truck accidents is driver error. This can include things like speeding, driving while fatigued, or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When someone else is at fault for your accident, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them to recover damages.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

If a truck isn’t properly maintained, it can lead to accidents. This can include things like bald tires, faulty brakes, or broken lights. Trucking companies are required to inspect their vehicles and regularly make repairs as needed. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any accidents that occur.

Poor Road Conditions

Another common cause of truck accidents is poor road conditions. This can include things like potholes, loose gravel, or icy roads. Holding the government responsible for accidents caused by poor road conditions can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. An experienced lawyer can help you understand your legal options.

Weather Conditions

Bad weather can also be a factor in truck accidents. This can include things like high winds, heavy rain, or snowstorms. Truck drivers are required to slow down and exercise caution when driving in bad weather. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, it’s important to contact an experienced truck accident attorney who knows personal injury law on an intimate level. The Packard Law Firm has experience handling truck accident cases and can help you get the justice you deserve. Whether you need to deal with an insurance company, have serious injuries, or inquire about the information in a personal injury case, our truck accident law firm can help you seek compensation. Refer to this link for some additional big rig crash causes that you might find interesting.

What Are Commonly Sustained Injuries in Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents can be some of the most devastating crashes on the road. These vehicles are often much larger and heavier than passenger cars, which can result in catastrophic injuries or even death for those involved.

Some of the most common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:

Brain Injuries

A brain injury can have a variety of short and long-term effects, from confusion and headaches to memory loss and paralysis. These injuries can be difficult to recover from, and they often require extensive medical treatment.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury can cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and loss of mobility. These injuries can be permanent and life-changing. Dealing with a spinal cord injury can be difficult, both physically and emotionally. Holding the responsible party liable can help you get the compensation you need to move on with your life.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are some of the most common injuries in truck accidents. They can range from minor fractures to serious breaks that require surgery. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor to make sure you don’t have any broken bones.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries include things like sprains, strains, and whiplash. These injuries can be painful and debilitating. They often require extensive medical treatment, including physical therapy.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries can be difficult to identify, as they don’t always have visible symptoms. These injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. These injuries can be serious, and you’ll need to document them to hold the responsible party liable.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

Many different parties can be held liable in a truck accident. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, one or more of these parties may be held responsible.

The Truck Driver

The truck driver is often the first party that comes to mind when considering who can be held liable in a truck accident. If the driver was speeding, driving recklessly, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they can be held liable for any accidents or injuries that occur.

The Trucking Company

The trucking company can also be held liable in a truck accident. This is especially true if the company failed to maintain the truck properly or if they didn’t properly train the driver.

The Truck Manufacturer

If the truck was defective somehow, the manufacturer can be held liable. This is most often seen in cases where the brakes or tires are defective.

The Cargo Loader

If the cargo is not loaded properly, it can shift during transport and cause an accident. In these cases, the cargo loader can be held liable.

Determining fault is important because it can help you get the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, property damage, and other expenses. If you can prove that the other party was responsible for the accident, they will be liable for all of these costs.

Determining who is at fault in a truck accident can be complicated. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, the experienced attorneys at the Packard Law Firm can help. We’ll investigate the accident and determine who is liable so you can get the compensation you need to cover all the expenses incurred after dealing with this difficult situation.

What Are the Federal Trucking Regulations?

All truck drivers and trucking companies are bound by federal regulations. These rules can affect commercial truck accidents, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) can hold individuals in violation.

The FMCSA regulations state that:

• Truck drivers must undergo proper training for specific types of cargo
• Truck drivers must take rest periods after driving a certain number of hours
• Drivers must maintain a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or less
• Cargo must be secured properly
• Trucks must be inspected regularly

These rules are meant to keep truck drivers and passenger vehicles safe on the road. If trucking companies encourage their drivers to break the rules, they can be penalized. Our team is familiar with the FMCSA and how they regulate drivers so we can help you after a San Antonio truck accident. 

What Kind of Damages Can You Seek in a Truck Accident Claim?

After a truck accident, you are likely dealing with many expenses related to your injuries and property damage. By working with a San Antonio truck accident lawyer, you can recover compensation for all of your financial losses.

Generally, you can seek compensation for the following:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial losses that you were forced to pay out of pocket because of the accident. Typically, these are related to your truck accident injuries. Economic damages may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages from time off work
• Property damage repair
• Loss of future income

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective and may require calculations. These losses are more about your emotional state and your mental health as a result of the accident. Non-economic damages could include:

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Permanent injury

Under certain circumstances, you may also qualify for punitive damages. These damages are additional damages that are awarded when the defendant is found to have behaved with malice or intent. In most truck accident cases, these damages would be given if a driver was found driving under the influence. Punitive damages could also be awarded if a trucking company was encouraging their drivers to break laws or rules of the road. If you’re interested in learning more about punitive damages for a semi-truck accident, contact our law office today.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?

Trucking accidents are scary and not something most people are prepared for. If you’ve recently been in a truck accident, taking the right steps now can help you when filing a claim later.

Keep yourself safe by doing the following:

Exchange Information

Talk to the truck driver and get their name, number, trucking company, and insurance company information. It’s illegal to leave the scene of an accident without exchanging information, and you’ll need it later when you’re filing your claim.

Call the Police

Law enforcement will come to the scene of the accident and file a police report. Not only will this keep you and your passengers safe, but it will also allow you to have your own record of the accident and initial liability.

Take Photos

Photos and videos of the accident scene can be used to bolster your claim. If there are any witnesses of the accident, get their information, too.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don’t feel hurt now, getting medical care is important. You may have internal injuries that are not immediately obvious. Get checked out by a medical professional to seek the treatment you need.

File an Insurance Claim

Contact your insurance company and the trucker’s insurance provider as soon as possible. The faster you file a claim, the faster you can recover compensation.

What If My Loved One Died in a Truck Accident?

Because of their large size relative to other vehicles, fatal truck accidents are unfortunately common. If your loved one died as a result of their truck accident injuries, you and your family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. In a wrongful death claim, you can seek compensation for the loss of your loved one and hold liable parties accountable for their actions.

The compensation in a wrongful death claim can be used to pay for:

• Funeral costs
• Burial expenses
• Medical expenses from before your loved one’s death
• Property damage repair
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of future income
• Loss of benefits, including emotional support

Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. Our team understands that no amount of money will bring your loved one back to you. However, our San Antonio truck accident lawyers are here to help you hold guilty parties responsible for their actions. Many families find that seeking justice through a wrongful death lawsuit helps bring them closure and peace. If you’d like to learn more about filing a wrongful death claim, contact our law firm.

What Are the Most Common Issues After a Truck Accident?

Even in relatively straightforward cases, truck accident claims may not go as planned. Pursuing an insurance claim while recovering from your injuries can be challenging, especially if there are multiple liable parties involved.

Frequent issues with truck accident cases include:

Claim Denials

Insurance companies are not on your side. Insurance adjusters will do everything in their power to get you to admit fault so they can deny your claim. Talking to an insurance company without legal representation is not recommended.

Low Settlement Offers

It’s common for insurance agents to reach out after your accident and offer you an insultingly low settlement offer. Unfortunately, many people accept this low settlement because they believe it’s better than nothing. The truth is that by working with a San Antonio truck accident lawyer, you can recover full and fair compensation to cover all your losses.

Multiple Insurance Companies

If more than one party is responsible for your accident, you may be dealing with multiple insurance companies. Juggling more than one insurance claim is challenging, especially when you are resting and recovering from your injuries. You deserve a legal team who will take care of all your insurance needs.

Why Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

There are many reasons why you should consider hiring a truck accident lawyer if you have been injured in a truck accident. One of the most important reasons is that an experienced lawyer will know how to navigate the complex legal system and build a strong case on your behalf.

Trucking companies and their insurance providers often have teams of lawyers working hard to protect their interests following an accident. You should level the playing field by having your own knowledgeable and experienced lawyer fighting for you.

Another benefit of hiring a truck accident lawyer is that they can help you recover damages that may not be available if you try to settle your case on your own. An experienced lawyer will know how to value your claim and fight for the full amount of compensation you are owed.

Finally, a truck accident lawyer can help ease the burden of dealing with insurance companies and the legal system while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery. In a worst-case scenario involving a death, a truck accident lawyer can also help your family pursue a wrongful death claim.

Wrongful death claims are complex and emotionally draining, but an experienced lawyer can help you through the process and ensure that your family gets the compensation they need to move forward.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, don’t try to navigate the legal system on your own. The experienced attorneys at the Packard Law Firm can help you get the compensation you and your family are entitled to.

Contact us today at (210) 972-8918 for a free consultation and to speak with our compassionate legal team.