San Antonio Truck Accident Attorney

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San Antonio sees a high volume of commercial traffic daily. Major highways, such as I-10, I-35, I-37, and Loop 1604, are vital arteries for freight moving across Texas and the U.S. While this transportation network supports the local and national economy, it also places ordinary drivers at risk. When a passenger vehicle collides with an 80,000-pound 18-wheeler, the physical and financial consequences can be life-altering.

After a truck accident in the San Antonio area, you need experienced representation who will take your case seriously from day one. Our legal team is dedicated to holding negligent truck drivers and transportation companies accountable. We understand that taking on large commercial insurance companies and corporate legal departments can be intimidating for the average person.

You do not have to do this alone. We are here to help you get the medical care you need and the financial payout you are rightfully entitled to receive under the law.

The Reality of Large Truck Collisions in Texas

Any collision with a tractor-trailer has the potential to cause severe, long-term injuries because of the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. Commercial crashes are dangerous, and the empirical data backs that up.

A total of 5,472 people nationwide died in traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2023, as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Although this represents an 8% decrease from the previous year, the long-term trend remains a serious concern, with a 40% increase in fatal truck accidents over the last decade.

Furthermore, 70% of the people killed in the 2023 crashes were occupants of other vehicles, not the truck drivers. That year, an estimated 153,452 people were injured in large truck collisions.

Texas highways are particularly prone to truck accidents because of the state’s vast size, central location, and high volume of freight transport. In the Texas Department of Transportation (TX DOT) I-10 Corridor Study, researchers recorded 19,690 commercial motor vehicle crashes on the Interstate 10 corridor in Texas between 2015 and 2021. Speeding, driver inattention, and unsafe lane changes were the leading contributing factors in these incidents.

The danger is not limited to Interstate 10. Highways such as I-35, I-37, and I-45 also see heavy daily commercial use. The traffic contributes to our state consistently ranking among the highest in the nation for large truck accidents. Our legal professionals stay current on all federal and state commercial motor vehicle regulations to effectively identify when a driver or motor carrier has violated safety rules.

Identifying the Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Commercial truck drivers are under heavy pressure to meet strict delivery deadlines dictated by dispatchers and corporate quotas. Tight schedules can lead to poor decision-making behind the wheel. Recognizing the root cause of a collision is the first step in building a strong claim for financial recovery.

To pinpoint why these wrecks occur, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, which found that truck driver action or inaction was the primary cause of the majority of crashes.

Fatigue remains a leading cause of highway accidents involving large commercial trucks, despite federal hours-of-service regulations that dictate exactly how long a driver can operate a vehicle without stopping to rest. A property-carrying driver is limited to a maximum of 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty and may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Drivers and their employers sometimes falsify logbooks or use electronic workarounds to bypass these critical safety rules.

Distracted driving is another serious hazard on Texas interstates. Whether a trucker is eating a meal, adjusting the radio, reading a text, or looking at a complex dispatch device, taking his eyes off the road for even a few seconds could lead to a catastrophe. Total focus at all times is required for operating a vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.

Blind spots are uniquely hazardous for 18-wheelers. Commercial trucks have large areas on all four sides, commonly called “no zones,” where the driver cannot see smaller passenger vehicles. A truck driver who switches lanes without using extended mirrors or properly checking the blind spot could easily sideswipe or crush a smaller car.

Stopping distances are also problematic and contribute heavily to highway truck collisions. A fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at highway speeds requires considerably more distance to come to a stop than a standard passenger vehicle. If a truck driver is tailgating or fails to anticipate a sudden traffic slowdown, a rear-end collision is virtually inevitable.

Inadequate training and poor vehicle maintenance play significant roles in causing crashes. It takes specialized skills, quick reflexes, and a thorough knowledge of federal safety protocols to operate a tractor-trailer safely. FMCSA enforces strict entry-level driver training regulations that mandate comprehensive theory and behind-the-wheel instruction before a new driver can take the skills test for a commercial license. When trucking companies fail to verify past driving records, rush new hires through orientation, or skip mandatory safety reviews, they are placing dangerous, underqualified operators on public highways.

Commercial trucking companies are required to perform regular, documented inspections of their vehicles’ brakes, tires, lighting systems, and steering mechanisms. When companies cut corners on maintenance to save money and keep trucks on the road longer, innocent people sharing the road pay the price.

The Large Truck Crash Causation Study highlights several other specific factors that frequently lead to collisions.

Prescription and over-the-counter drug use is a major associated factor in commercial crashes. The risk of a collision rises significantly when a truck driver takes medication that impairs judgment or slows reaction time. The federal study noted that a large percentage of crashes involved drivers under the influence of legal medications, highlighting the need for strict medical oversight by motor carriers.

Traveling too fast for conditions is another prominent cause of truck accidents. In severe traffic congestion, or when heavy rain or fog reduces visibility and traction, drivers are legally obligated to slow down, below the posted speed limit if necessary. Failure to adjust speed for hazardous conditions makes the driver legally liable for a resulting crash.

A driver on an unfamiliar route can be a factor in truck accidents. When trucking companies fail to route their drivers properly, or dispatchers send them onto unapproved local roads to bypass traffic, the risk of an accident increases. Forcing heavy vehicles into areas with tight turns or inadequate clearances creates a foreseeable hazard for everyone on the road.

Specific equipment failures, most notably brake problems, rank high on the list of crash causes. The sheer force required to stop a loaded tractor-trailer makes brake degradation particularly dangerous. A motor carrier that fails to replace worn brake pads or ignores failing brake systems can be held directly responsible for resulting collisions.

Determining Liability in Commercial Collisions

Passenger car accidents typically involve only two drivers. Commercial truck cases are more complicated because of multiple potentially liable parties. We thoroughly investigate every angle to uncover all responsible entities.

The truck driver is the primary focus of the initial investigation. A driver who was speeding, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving aggressively, or violating traffic laws is directly responsible for the damage caused.
Trucking companies can be held liable under a legal doctrine that holds employers directly responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. Furthermore, commercial carriers may face independent liability if they fail to perform mandatory background checks, neglect mandatory vehicle maintenance schedules, or push truckers to exceed legal driving hours.
Cargo loaders may share the blame in some cases. Heavy freight that is improperly balanced or inadequately secured within the trailer can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control. This can lead to a deadly rollover or a jackknife across multiple lanes of traffic.
A truck or parts manufacturer could be at fault for the accident. If a defective tire blew out or a faulty brake line ruptured, causing the crash, we can pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer or parts distributor.

Damages Available in Truck Accident Cases

A severe collision with a commercial truck carries profound physical, emotional, and financial costs. We meticulously calculate every loss to ensure no money is left on the table during settlement negotiations or trial. Texas law allows injured victims to seek compensation across the following three primary categories of damages:

Economic Damages

These are quantifiable financial losses tied directly to the crash. The figures can climb quickly when truck accidents cause severe harm. Economic damages are designed to reimburse you for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings.

Non-Economic Damages

You are also entitled to compensation for subjective, intangible losses that do not come with a specific price tag. Texas law recognizes several forms of non-economic harm, including physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and physical impairment or disfigurement, such as loss of a limb, permanent scarring, or permanent loss of mobility.

Exemplary Damages

Also known as punitive damages, these are not intended to compensate the victim, but rather to strictly punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in others. In rare cases, a jury may award exemplary damages if a truck driver or trucking company acted with extreme recklessness. Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41, to recover punitive damages, the plaintiff must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the harm resulted from fraud, malice, or gross negligence. A unanimous jury verdict is required, and the law caps the amount an injured party can receive.

FAQs About Truck Accidents in Texas

What is an electronic logging device, and how can it help prove my claim?

FMCSA now requires most commercial trucks to be equipped with electronics. This technology connects directly to the truck engine to automatically record driving time, engine hours, vehicle movement, and miles driven. Federal safety regulations place strict limits on the number of consecutive hours commercial truck drivers can operate their vehicles. In the past, drivers tracked their hours of service using paper logbooks, which could be easily manipulated or falsified to hide safety violations.

Electronic logging devices automatically record data, providing an objective timeline of the driver’s actions leading up to the collision. If the trucker was illegally operating beyond the required rest period, the log will show it. Obtaining and preserving this electronic data is a fundamental step in proving liability.

How does comparative fault in Texas affect my financial recovery?

Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, legally known as proportionate responsibility. Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33, a judge or jury will assign a specific percentage of fault to each party involved in a traffic crash. When multiple factors contribute to a collision, insurance companies often try to shift the blame onto the injured driver.

The most critical element of this law is the 51% bar rule. If your share of assigned blame is 51% or higher, you are barred from recovering any financial compensation. If your assigned percentage of fault is less than 51, your financial award is reduced by that percentage. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but are found to be 10% at fault for the crash, your final payout will be $90,000.

Because the financial stakes are so high in truck accident cases, defense attorneys will work hard to push your fault percentage up and over the 51% percent threshold, if possible.

Can I sue the trucking company if the driver was an independent contractor?

Yes, in most cases you can. Trucking companies have historically tried to avoid liability for crashes by classifying their drivers as independent contractors rather than direct employees. The federal government eliminated this legal loophole to ensure public protection. Now, any driver operating a commercial vehicle on behalf of a motor carrier is legally considered a statutory employee of the carrier, under 49 CFR Section 390.5.

Trucking companies can no longer hide behind independent contractor agreements. If a driver causes a collision while hauling freight for a motor carrier, the company may be held vicariously liable for the resulting damages, the same as it could be with a traditional, full-time employee driver.

Why You Need a Dedicated Legal Advocate

Insurance companies that cover large commercial fleets have vast financial resources and employ corporate lawyers and aggressive defense teams whose sole job is to minimize your payout and protect the company’s bottom line. You need a dedicated legal advocate who knows how to counter their tactics.

Truck accidents are inherently high-stakes cases. Because large commercial vehicles can cause severe harm, the FMCSA requires trucking companies to carry insurance policies that are much larger than those required for drivers of standard passenger cars. Under 49 CFR Section 387.9, interstate motor carriers for hire transporting non-hazardous property must maintain a minimum of $750,000 in public liability insurance. Carriers transporting certain hazardous substances must maintain up to $5,000,000 in coverage.

With policy limits this high, corporate insurers have substantial sums at stake. Consequently, they will fight harder to defend against your claim, delay the process, or pressure you into accepting an inadequate settlement offer.

We handle everything from issuing spoliation letters to preserve crucial evidence, such as the truck’s electronic data recorder, to consulting with accident reconstruction professionals. Our goal is to shoulder the heavy legal burdens so you can focus entirely on your physical and emotional recovery.

Our legal team will carefully calculate the full extent of your financial damages. This comprehensive evaluation includes all your past and future losses, including medical bills, lost wages, diminished future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. We will not settle for less than what your case is worth under the law.

Reach Out for a Free Case Consultation

Time is strictly limited for filing a personal injury claim in Texas. The statute of limitations (time limit set by law) is two years from the date of the crash. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to seek financial compensation through the courts. It is important to act quickly to seek legal representation after a serious truck accident. Physical evidence can disappear, and witness memories can fade over time.

For more than two decades, our San Antonio truck accident attorney has fought for the rights of accident victims and their families. We never charge any upfront fees, and we are only paid if we win compensation for you.

Contact the Law Office of Raul A. Guajardo, P.L.L.C., today to schedule a free consultation by calling our team for assistance. For Edinburg, call 956-276-8819, for McAllen, call 956-476-6055, or for Brownsville, call 956-476-7074. We are ready to listen to your story, evaluate the evidence, and explain your legal options in clear, straightforward terms.