Semi Truck Accidents / 18 Wheeler Accidents

Texas leads the nation in 18-wheeler and semi-truck accidents year after year.

There are so many 18-wheelers on the road in recent years you probably don’t even consider how dangerous they are anymore. Most people take it for granted that other drivers follow the rules of the road. Due to the sheer size and weight of these tractor-trailers, it only takes one reckless driver to seriously or catastrophically injure you in a big rig accident.

Unsuspecting victims are hurt in 18-wheeler accidents every day. All over Texas and the Southwest, our attorneys are committed to recovering the financial compensation for anyone injured in an accident due to another’s negligence.

If you were hurt in an 18-wheeler or semi-truck accident in Texas, call Shaw at 800-862-1260.

Far too many people are injured or killed in 18-wheeler accidents every year. What’s worse is the fact that these accidents are almost always the result of stupid or careless mistakes like:

• Speeding,
• Distracted Driving,
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signs and Laws,
• Mechanical Failure,
• Tire Blowouts,
• Violations of DOT Regulations,
• Failure to Exercise Caution While Driving in City Limits,
• Shifting Loads,
• Driver Fatigue,
• Failure to Take Required Breaks,
• Failure to Properly Log Hours,
• And Texting While Driving.

Innocent people have their lives changed forever or lose loved ones because of these stupid mistakes every day.

You should never have to pay for an accident that wasn’t your fault. The San Antonio 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers of Carabin Shaw are dedicated to defending the rights of accident victims and securing the compensation they deserve.

Hit by an 18-wheeler in Texas? Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 for immediate assistance today.

More than 400,000 large truck accidents occur across the United States annually, including commercial box trucks and tractor-trailer combinations such as 18-wheeler trucks.

Since 2016, the number of trucks involved in injury crashes has increased by 15%. The number of deaths increased by 17% from 2020 to 2021 and is up 47% in the last ten years.

According to FMCSA data, between 2020 and June 2024, at least one 18-wheeler/semi-truck has been involved in:

• 710,989 total accidents,
• 690,593 non-fatal accidents,
• 20,396 fatal accidents.

As a result, in the span of not quite four years, 330,750 people were injured, and 22,787 people died in 18-wheeler accidents across the nation.

Additionally, the National Safety Council reports that the majority of deaths in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles (72%), followed by truck occupants (17%), and non-occupants*(11%).

*primarily pedestrians and bicyclists.

Texas consistently leads the nation in 18-wheeler/semi-truck accidents. Between 2020 and June 2024, an 18-wheeler/semi-truck was involved in:

• 86,222 total accidents,
• 83,281 non-fatal accidents,
• 2,941 fatal accidents.

In total, 47,987 people were injured, and 3,326 people were killed in 18-wheeler/semi-truck accidents in Texas during this time period.

In 2022 alone, the TxDOT reported 1,673 injuries that were considered “very serious.”

Bexar County experiences heavy commercial vehicle traffic, including 18-wheelers. San Antonio has 3 Interstate Highways and 4 U.S. Highways running through it, including I-35 and I-10 which are among the deadliest freeways in Texas.

In 2022 alone, 18-wheelers/semi-trucks were involved in 2,250 accidents in Bexar County. Of these accidents:

• 20 were fatal,
• 22 people were killed,
• 734 people were injured,
• 37 people suffered serious injuries.

There are countless ways a driver may be negligent and endanger others on the road. If you find yourself a victim in an 18-wheeler accident, rest assured we at Carabin Shaw are on your side, and we are here to help you 24/7.

*2024 data is preliminary and subject to change. Data is accurate as of August 2024.

Get the help you need for an 18-wheeler accident in Texas. Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 day or night for immediate assistance.

You will likely be contacted by insurance company representatives very soon after your 18-wheeler accident.

It is imperative that you understand your rights before you talk to an insurance company.

These people will act like they’re on your side. They will ask you what sounds like standard questions about the accident, but beware. These people are trained to get you to say something that will place the fault for the accident on you, diminishing the value of your claim.

It’s always better to hire an attorney to represent your claim to the insurance company after an 18-wheeler accident. Carabin Shaw has represented 18-wheeler accident claims for over 31 years. We know their tactics and are experts in the law – usually when they hear our name, they don’t even try it.

Insurance companies don’t want to help you. They want to settle your case as quickly as possible with the lowest amount they’re able to get away with.

Carabin Shaw puts your interests first. We work diligently to ensure that you are fully compensated for your losses. To us, you are not a number – you’re a person, and you deserve to be made whole again.

Don’t fight alone! Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 for experienced and passionate legal service that truly puts your best interest first.

It’s important that every responsible party is accounted for after a big rig accident in Texas.

Commercial vehicles are backed by companies and have strict regulations they must follow. As a result, there are many parties who could share fault for an 18-wheeler/semi-truck accident, including:

• The Truck Driver,
• Trucking Companies,
• Maintenance Companies,
• Third-Party Hiring Companies,
• Truck Manufacturing Companies,
• And Others.

We employ a team of investigators to peel back the layers of your case. Naturally, we start with the driver and their actions, whether they could have prevented the accident. Next, we look into the company that employed the driver and whether they were negligent in training or hiring practices. Then, we look into the manufacturer or maintenance companies if mechanical failure contributed to the accident.

We continue this process until every responsible party is revealed to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation owed to you.

In Texas, you can claim damages for financial losses (economic) and non-financial losses (non-economic) if you were hurt in an 18-wheeler accident that wasn’t your fault.

Economic damages are easily calculated and include things like:

• Medical Bills (ER Treatment, Ambulance Costs, Ongoing Care, Therapy, etc.)
• Lost Wages (Missed work as a result of the accident)
• Loss of Earning Capacity (Inability to continue at your current job or work at all due to your injuries)
• Property Damage (Damage to your vehicle, death of pets, damage or destruction of valuable property inside the vehicle, etc.)

Non-economic damages require more complicated calculations and include things like:

• Pain and Suffering,
• Emotional Distress,
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life,
• Disfigurement,
• And Loss of Consortium.

In very rare cases, companies may have to pay punitive damages after an accident.

Punitive damages are often referred to as “punishment damages” because they are used to punish and deter the at-fault driver/company for gross negligence.

How much a person will receive is directly related to the amount of losses they suffered. For example, a person who suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury would likely receive more compensation than someone who suffered a fractured arm.

To get an estimate on how much your case is worth, call Shaw at 800-862-1260 to talk to an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney.

If you were injured in an 18-wheeler or semi-truck accident anywhere in Texas, call Shaw.

Carabin Shaw has represented 18-wheeler accident victims across Texas, including cities like:

• San Antonio,
• Laredo,
• Austin,
• Victoria,
• Corpus Christi,
• Dallas,
• Fort Worth,
• Midland,
• Odessa,
• Beeville,
• Kenedy,
• Rockport,
• Houston,
• El Paso,
• Beaumont,
• McAllen,
• Floresville,
• Del Rio,
• Uvalde,
• Boerne,
• Seguin,
• Pleasanton,

And every town and city in between for over 31 years.

Carabin Shaw is vigilant to protect the rights of our clients and always puts them first. We offer:

• 24/7 Live Chat and Phone Lines – Because you never know when an accident will happen.
• Flexible Appointments – If you are unable to leave your home or are in the hospital, we can come to you. We also offer online appointments for maximum flexibility. Of course, you are always welcome to meet with us at any one of our offices (main office, San Antonio, Texas).
• No Fees Unless We Win – We operate on a contingency fee basis. There are absolutely no fees unless we win a settlement or jury verdict on your behalf.
• Additional Care – We can provide or organize transportation to area medical providers if needed. We also offer property damage claims for free and have Spanish-speaking staff if necessary.

Our firm stands ready to assist you. We have the necessary resources and experience to pursue the highest compensation for you and your loved ones following a serious 18-wheeler accident. Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to schedule your free initial consultation. No fees, no obligations – just expert legal advice.

We look forward to serving you.

Learn how to prepare for your initial consultation from our blog.

Find out how much it costs to work with a Carabin Shaw attorney.

Learn the three most commonly raised defenses to a personal injury claim and how an attorney can help you.