Texas Accident & Injury News
Commercial vehicles like box trucks make accident compensation more complicated.
4 San Antonio Empire Volleyball Students Hospitalized, Grandmother Dies in Fatal Nevada Crash
According to a KSAT News report, a woman died, and six others suffered injuries in a fatal Nevada crash.
Police reported the accident happened at around 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 12th, on Southbound Interstate 580 in Nevada. Four San Antonio Empire Volleyball players–Ellie, Emma, Anjoli, and Addison–were traveling with Anjoli’s mother, aunt, and grandmother to a volleyball tournament in Nevada. A box truck rear-ended their vehicle, causing it to flip onto its roof. San Antonio Express-News also reported the accident resulted in a 5-car pileup that shut down I-580 for several hours.
Addison and Ellie were both ejected from the vehicle. Ellie sustained life-threatening injuries, including a brain bleed, a broken femur, and extensive external injuries. Addison suffered a broken foot, and Anjoli suffered a spinal compression fracture. Anjoli’s grandmother, Loraine Chavez, died in the crash. All passengers sustained varying levels of injuries and were released from the hospital, except for Ellie.
It was not reported if any of the passengers in the other vehicles were injured, nor was the condition of the box truck driver. The volleyball club set up a GoFundMe for the girls and their families to cover the costs of the return journey and the funeral for Loraine Chavez.
Did You Know?
In Texas in 2023, 21,215 accidents were caused by a driver following too closely.
Accidents With Box Trucks in San Antonio
A box truck is a commercial vehicle weighing up to 33,000 pounds that is characterized by its cube shape, roll-up doors, and enclosed cargo area. If you’ve ever had a package delivered by Amazon, FedEx, or USPS, then you’ve probably seen one.
With consumers across Texas preferring delivery for almost every kind of shopping, box trucks are becoming a more common sight on your daily commute–but they can be extremely dangerous, and since they’re commercial vehicles, they make accident compensation more complicated.
Why Are Box Trucks Dangerous?
Box trucks can cause an extreme hazard for passenger vehicles for several reasons, including:
- Their Size and Shape — Box trucks are more prone to tipping over than passenger vehicles due to their high center of gravity. Their size and shape also make navigating sharp turns and narrow lanes more difficult, requiring skilled drivers.
- Blind Spots — Box trucks have bigger blind spots than your average passenger vehicle, making it difficult for the driver to see you.
- Unsecured Cargo — Shifting cargo can cause a box truck to tip over, and spilled cargo presents a hazard to other drivers.
Is It Hard to Get Compensation After an Accident With a Box Truck?
Accidents with commercial (company) vehicles like box trucks are governed by special laws and are more complicated than an accident with another passenger vehicle.
Victims of box truck accidents can face many challenges unique to commercial vehicle accidents when seeking compensation, such as:
- Disputed Company Liability — Companies may try to argue that the employee was not on the clock, placing the blame on the driver. Drivers aren’t covered by personal policies when performing work duties, leaving victims with no option for compensation.
- Multiple At-Fault Parties — Maintenance companies, drivers, and shipping companies may all be at fault in the accident, making seeking compensation more difficult.
- Lack of Resources — Companies will be represented by a team of experienced attorneys whose job is to ensure the company is not held responsible for the accident. Individuals run out of resources and energy far before a company will, causing them to settle for less than their case is actually worth.
Fortunately, if you were hit by a box truck anywhere in Texas, you have the right to hire your own team of experienced legal help.
Hit by a Box Truck in San Antonio? Call Shaw!
If you or a loved one was injured in a box truck accident in San Antonio, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Surgeries,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Missed Work,
- Property Damage,
- And More.
We can help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced CMV accident lawyer in San Antonio. There are no fees and no obligations attached, just the expert legal advice you need. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio for over 32 years because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.
See Also:
How to Prepare for a Consultation With a Carabin Shaw Attorney
²TxDOT Crash Contributing Factors