Negligence in 18 Wheeler Accidents in Texas - Top San Antonio Attorneys for Collision Victims

Truck drivers navigating I-35 or one of the freeway urban loops around San Antonio must be alert and vigilant to avoid a collision. Negligent behavior can cause their 18-wheeler to jackknife, roll over, or collide with another vehicle. The trucking company and negligent driver are then liable for the injuries these big rig accidents cause.

If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Central Texas because of negligence, hiring a lawyer provides a pathway for injury compensation. The San Antonio personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw can help you through the insurance claims process, settlement negotiation, and lawsuit. We offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis, so we don’t get paid until we win your case.

All drivers have a duty to drive safely and responsibly, and when they breach that duty and cause an accident, they are liable for injuries. Negligence has 5 components:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Harm
• Breach of duty was the cause of harm

One or more parties can be negligent in an accident, and San Antonio, Texas courts hold them proportionately responsible for damages in a personal injury lawsuit. This allows victims of 18-wheeler accidents to fight for compensation, even if they are partially at fault, as long as their portion of fault is equal to or less than 50 percent.

An attorney may argue that a truck driver was negligent because they drove while fatigued or intoxicated. Other examples of negligence include:

• Brake failure
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Failure to negotiate a turn
• Failure to yield
• Tailgating
• Load shifts

These accidents may cause additional accidents due to a disabled truck blocking the road or leaving behind wreckage or other debris. Your San Antonio truck accident lawyer will investigate your accident so you can sue the appropriate liable party for negligence.

In an 18 wheeler accident in San Antonio, there are two possibilities for liable parties when the accident was caused by truck driver negligence: the trucking company and its driver. Texas courts may bifurcate a lawsuit, focusing on compensatory damages in the trial's first phase and punitive damages in the second phase.

Compensatory damages include:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Property damage/car repairs
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Other economic or noneconomic damages

The second phase of the trial focuses on gross negligence or employer negligence. The court awards exemplary damages as a punitive measure and a future deterrent. Employers may have neglected to correct previous negligent driver behavior or engaged in poor hiring practices. San Antonio attorneys will investigate the driver’s record and the company’s methods to argue for additional compensation.

Your lawyer will argue for compensation that covers your monetary and non-monetary losses, and the court will add punitive damages if appropriate. How much that is depends on the accident's details and the extent of the injuries. An 18-wheeler accident lawsuit can be worth anywhere from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars.

Most settlements are private matters; therefore, you cannot determine how much a claim was worth. Trial verdicts with million-dollar payouts are public information and often make the news. Unfortunately, these cases frequently involve wrongful death or life-altering injuries. Victims of these accidents deserve compensation for their tragic losses.

Victims of San Antonio 18-wheeler accidents benefit from hiring a skilled lawyer, such as those available at Carabin Shaw. We investigate your accident, collect evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies and defendants. Read our client reviews to learn how we’ve helped many victims receive compensation for their injuries.

At Carabin Shaw, we understand how important it is to get compensation for ALL your injuries after a wreck caused by truck driver negligence. Call our toll-free number at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case review. We have English- AND Spanish-speaking staff, and someone is available to speak with you 24/7.

For more information:

• Texas Statutes 33
• Texas Statutes 72
• Bexar Tx