Distracted Driving and 18 Wheeler Accidents in San Antonio

Truck accidents in San Antonio cause millions of dollars in economic and non-economic losses every year. In 2019, the state of Texas had the highest number of fatal big truck accidents than any other state in the country (579 total fatal commercial vehicle accidents). With the city’s busy highways and growing population, San Antonio sees a significant portion of these dangerous collisions.

There are many reasons commercial vehicle accidents occur so frequently. One of the most common causes of San Antonio big truck collisions is distracted driving. The relationship between distracted driving and 18 wheeler accidents is clear: any activity that detracts from a driver’s focus on the road can cause severe injury or death. Drivers found guilty of these actions can be found recklessly negligent in a court of law.

The term “distracted driving” refers to the type of driver negligence caused by attention diverting activities. While operating a vehicle, momentary distractions can impact a driver’s ability to act quickly if dangerous situations arise. Distracted driving is often caused by:

• Cell phone usage
• Eating
• Drowsiness
• Talking with passengers
• Heightened emotional state

Why is driving while distracted considered negligent? All drivers have the responsibility to focus while operating a vehicle, but this responsibility is compounded tenfold when operating a commercial vehicle. 18 wheelers weigh an average of 80,000 pounds– in comparison, passenger vehicles' approximate average weight is 4,000 pounds. This difference in size means that even a minor collision between these vehicles can total a passenger vehicle, often resulting in catastrophic damages to the passengers inside.

If you or a loved one have been injured by a distracted commercial driver, you already know the catastrophic, life-changing losses caused by these accidents. These losses are categorized under two categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic losses caused by distracted commercial drivers include:

• Medical costs (surgeries, emergency room visits, prescriptions, doctor visits, physical therapy, etc.)
• Loss in wage earning abilities (temporary or permanent job loss or otherwise impacted employment)

Economic losses are easy to quantify and can be proven with documentation such as bills, insurance claims, bank statements, etc. Harder to quantify are the non-economic losses commercial vehicle accident victims and their families face in the aftermath of a collision. However, this does not mean that these losses are just as important as the economic losses– in some cases, even more so.

Non-economic losses after a commercial vehicle collision include:

• Loss of life or consciousness
• Grieving a loved one lost in the collision
• Loss of consortium
• Impacted quality of life
• Trauma
• Chronic pain
• Disfigurement

Texas law stipulates that those affected by negligent commercial drivers have the right to seek compensation for their damages within two years of the date of their collision. To see the compensation you and your family deserve, contact an experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer today.

The personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw believe commercial vehicle accident victims receive fair compensation for their economic and non-economic damages. For that reason, we approach every claim with a “client-first” philosophy, ensuring that our clients’ best interests are at the heart of everything we do. Our three decades of experience representing San Antonio commercial vehicle accident victims have ensured thousands of accident victims and their families received the justice they deserve (see Carabin Shaw’s client reviews for more details).

Ready to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation? Our team of commercial vehicle accident attorneys would be happy to review your case and get your commercial vehicle injury claim started. Call our 24/7 English and Spanish-speaking office staff toll-free at 800-862-1260.