Bexar County Trucking Injury Lawyers Carabin Shaw Home
Understanding Truck Driver Fatigue and Its Role in San Antonio Accidents
The robust trucking industry is essential to the U.S. economy, but it is costing the country lives daily. Texas tops the charts in both the amount of these commercial vehicles and the staggering number of fatal accidents that they cause. Most of the victims in these truck collisions are innocent drivers of other vehicles caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. San Antonio TX has some of the most dangerous highways and endures substantially more accidents than other cities.
If you or a loved one were the victim of a semi-truck accident, you have legal protections. Speaking with a Central Texas personal injury attorney at Carabin Shaw is critical, especially if another driver’s negligence caused the accident. A Texas lawyer will guide you through your legal rights and options and help relieve your case's stress. We proudly offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you don’t pay a thing until your case is won. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Severity of 18-Wheeler CollisionsDue to the size and weight of an 18-wheeler, their crashes are almost always severe. An accident involving a semi truck is more likely to cause a multi-vehicle accident and 4x more likely to end in a fatality. These massive vehicles require much more time and space to slow down and stop than passenger vehicles. Other people on the road will pay the cost of a truck driver’s recklessness; they don’t stand a chance against a semi in a collision. NHTSA statistics from 2020 showed that seventy-one percent of people killed in a truck accident were occupants of other passenger vehicles.
Why Do Semi Truck Accidents Happen?18-Wheeler accident fatigue is to blame for many lost lives. Drowsy truck driving is one of the top causes of these catastrophic collisions. There are regulations restricting the amount of active and rest time drivers can have while on the job. However, these boundaries are often pushed and broken. As the demand for goods increases, the pressures and expectations for these drivers will become more and more unrealistic.
Many people don’t realize the serious consequences sleep deprivation can have, especially for someone operating a vehicle. Commercial truck drivers are generally overworked, sleep-deprived, and pushed to travel far distances quickly. A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study revealed that 65 percent of commercial truck drivers admitted to driving drowsy, and 50 percent had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Other common causes of semi truck accidents are:
- Driver distraction
- Cell phone use
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Large blind spots
- Poorly trained drivers
- Improperly loaded goods
- Poor truck maintenance
- Mechanical failure
- Poor weather conditions
- Poor road conditions
A San Antonio 18 wheeler accident attorney will investigate the details of your accident and determine if any FMCSA driver regulations were violated. Truck inspection, maintenance, and repair documentation will need to be examined, as well as the truck driver’s service and maintenance logs. Drug and alcohol testing may also be necessary.
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to seek economic, non-economic, and punitive damages from the at-fault party or parties. Proving the liability of those responsible will be essential to winning compensation. Many factors come into play when calculating the amount of damages in a claim, including the nature of the accident, the severity of your injury, recovery time, and your loss amount. Our team of expert Texas lawyers will negotiate with the insurance companies and fight for your maximum compensation.
Your Path to Justice Begins with a Free Call | Take Action Now & Schedule Your Free Case ReviewLet a Carabin Shaw attorney relieve the stress of your case so you can focus on your well-being at this painful time. Quality legal representation throughout this process will ensure you are awarded the justice you deserve. There are state-specific laws and time restrictions that your San Antonio truck accident lawyer at Carabin Shaw will ensure are followed, as well as countless other regulations and deadlines.
As exemplified in our client reviews, our professional team will fight for your best interest with the utmost care and resilience. English and Spanish-speaking staff are available to assist you 24/7 toll-free at 800-862-1260.
For more information:
