Texas has over 679,917 total lane miles and more lanes are being added daily. There are catastrophic, life changing motor vehicle accidents that occur every day. As per the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), In 2017, Texas had the highest number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes at 621, and the largest number of total vehicles involved in fatal crashes. 148,000 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks in 2017. Because of the number of trucks on the road, truck accidents are bound to happen.
Why You Need a San Antonio 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
Trucking accidents are a major problem and major problems require major solutions which require aggressive legal representation. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, let the Major Law Firm’s San Antonio 18-wheeler accident lawyers fight for you.
Texas consistently ranks near the top in 18-wheeler accidents. Large trucking companies put profit over people and force truck drivers to work long hours that can lead to serious accidents.
No matter the cause of your 18 wheeler accident the Major Law Firm will lead a detailed investigation. We will look at the accident report. We will find witnesses and take witnesses statements to support your case. We will inspect the truck and check the truck inspection records. We will visit the truck accident scene. We will fight for you.
After a trucking accident or semi truck accident, the trucking company’s only focus is to avoid liability and pay as little as possible. Although 18-wheelers are required to have minimum insurance coverage that ranges from $300,000 to $750,000 depending on the weight of the truck, and if the truck travels interstate or intrastate, most companies in the trucking industry refuse to admit fault. Trucking companies will use significant resources to deny liability when a serious truck accident occurs.
The Major Law Firm has the resources and skills to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve according to Texas law. An experienced San Antonio 18 wheeler accident lawyer is crucial for navigating complex truck accident claims involving truck or semi truck accidents, multiple insurance policies, and multiple liable parties.
An 18-wheeler versus a car is not a fair fight. If a car accident occurred and you're the injured accident victim, get the Major Law Firm on your side and even the odds.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), a large truck is any medium or heavy truck, excluding buses and motor homes, with a gross vehicle weight greater than 10,000 pounds. The average passenger vehicle weighs 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. A loaded tractor-trailer weights up to 80,000 pounds. Seventy-nine percent of large trucks involved in fatal auto accidents were heavy large trucks in 2017.
Common causes of 18 wheeler accidents
In fatal two-vehicle crashes between a large truck and passenger motor vehicle, 96 percent of the fatalities were occupants of the passenger vehicle.[1] Common reasons for fatal large truck accidents:
- Overworked and tired truck drivers (driver fatigue usually)
- Poor truck maintenance - tractor-trailers are in bad shape (bald tires, worn brakes or broken lights)
- Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for conditions
- Tailgating or aggressive driving
- Illegal maneuvers
- Equipment failure such as faulty brakes or tire blowouts
- Distracted driving - inattention, lax surveillance
- Texting while driving or other distractions
- Falling asleep
- Overweight or improperly loaded cargo
- Unfamiliarity with the road
- Misalignment of the truck and the cab, resulting in jackknife accidents
Serious injuries suffered in truck accidents
The cost to society from crashes involving trucks or semi trucks was an estimated $134 billion in 2016. Tractor-trailers moving at 60 mph are required to stop in 310 feet, about the length of a football field—once the brakes are applied.[2] However, actual stopping distances are often much longer due to truck driver response time before braking. Often times the brakes are not in top working condition which adds to the stop distance. Common injuries that require immediate medical treatment include:
- Paralysis
- Broken
- Fractures
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputation and disfigurement or other catastrophic injuries
It is crucial to seek medical attention for any serious injury sustained from an 18-wheeler crash in San Antonio, inform your insurance provider, and have your documentation in order to be able to start the legal process for your injury claim.
How Trucking Companies Can Prevent A Truck or Semi-Truck Accident
San Antonio truck owners can make drivers drive unreasonable long shifts without rest. Drowsy drivers are much more likely to cause car accidents on the road. Drowsy drivers often take drugs to stay awake. A trucking company is supposed to ensure:
- Well-trained drivers
- Company policies to ensure safe driving activities
- Comprehensive background checks of its drivers
- Drivers of the commercial trucks or vehicles have valid commercial driver’s licenses
- Drivers are not using illegal drugs or alcohol
When the trucking companies fail to comply with the safety rules and you get injured, the Major Law Firm fights. If you or someone you love was injured by an 18-wheeler in San Antonio, Texas, contact us today to get the help you need.
Even if you have been offered a fair settlement from the insurance company, do not accept it without meeting with an truck accident attorney. The trucking company wants to pay the minimum amount of damages.
Contact our San Antonio personal injury lawyers today
If you are an injured victim of a motor vehicle accident and you wish to seek maximum compensation consult with The Major Law Firm’s San Antonio personal injury attorney immediately to determine the value of your case and help with filing an accident claim.
A personal injury lawsuit has the potential to result in greater compensation. The types of compensation available in a personal injury lawsuit include pain and suffering, lost wages, present and future medical expenses or medical bills, lost enjoyment of life, legal fees, and loss of consortium.
The Major Law Firm’s 18-wheeler accident attorneys are knowledgeable on the complexities of personal injury law as well as state and federal trucking regulations. Simply put, The Major Law Firm has the resources and experienced lawyers to defeat powerful trucking companies and handle all the involved parties. A commercial truck accident attorney can help making sure that critical evidence is preserved, establish liability for your injuries, collect information about the other driver to build your case.
If you're thinking about filing a personal injury lawsuit after a trucking accident that resulted in severe injuries, contact us for a free consultation.
The Major Law Firm is available 24/7, nights and weekends to review your case.
[1]IIHS, Large Tricks, December 2019 [2]Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 Part 571 § 121: Standard No. 121 Airbrake systems (FMVSS 121).
