The JRE Law Firm in Texas is dedicated to helping victims of accidents get justice for their injuries. Joseph Rogelio Echavarria is a seasoned Attorney

San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyers

Trucking accidents pose different issues than ordinary auto accidents. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Because most tractor-trailers travel on interstate highways at high speeds, alongside vehicles such as your car or SUV that are far smaller, a car-truck collision typically involves more damage, more serious injuries, and a greater likelihood of permanent disability or death. Given the great disparity in size and weight, crashes between an 18-wheeler and the average passenger car, truck, or SUV produce a high incidence of catastrophic injury and death. Compounding the problem, many of the larger trucking companies are self-insured, which means they are far more reluctant to discuss fair settlement offers — the money comes out of their own pocket, not an insurance company’s.

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Evidence disappears fast after a truck crash

When tractor-trailer accidents occur, trucking company representatives frequently arrive at the scene shortly after the crash and immediately start gathering evidence to protect the interests of their company. Company representatives will debrief the truck driver while the details are fresh. The truck itself will be retrieved by the company; its data recorders can be “reset” and its global tracking devices cleared or erased, so key evidence such as truck speed, braking, and hours of operation before the crash is lost.

That electronic data is often the heart of a trucking case. The engine control module, onboard tracking, and electronic logging device can show how fast the truck was traveling, whether the driver braked, and how many hours the driver had been behind the wheel. Once that information is gone, it is very difficult to recover. The sooner an attorney is involved, the sooner a letter can be sent demanding that the company preserve the truck, its data, and the driver’s records before anything is altered or destroyed.

Do not give a recorded statement

If you are involved in an accident, trucking company or insurance representatives may try to get you to give them a statement, which they typically record. Other than providing an investigating law enforcement officer with the required information — such as your name, address, and how the accident happened — do not talk to anyone else, even your own insurance company, until you have consulted an attorney. A casual remark taken out of context can later be used to argue that you were at fault or that your injuries are not as serious as they are.

More than one party may be liable

Because trucking accidents typically involve multiple vehicles, more than one party may be responsible for your damages, and several insurance companies may be involved. Depending on the facts, liability can extend beyond the driver to:

• The driver, for speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment
• The trucking company, for pushing unrealistic schedules, poor hiring, or inadequate training
• The owner of the truck or trailer, if separate from the carrier
• A maintenance or repair contractor, for brake or tire failures
• The shipper or loader, for improperly secured or overloaded cargo
• A parts manufacturer, if defective equipment contributed to the crash

Sorting out who is responsible — and which policy covers your losses — takes a careful, methodical investigation. Our firm is experienced at unraveling the complications and the chain of events leading to the crash.

The federal rules trucking companies must follow

Commercial carriers operating in Texas are governed by federal safety regulations covering driver hours of service, vehicle inspection and maintenance, driver qualification, and recordkeeping. When a trucking company ignores those rules — by allowing a fatigued driver to stay on the road, skipping required maintenance, or failing to keep accurate logs — that violation can be powerful evidence of negligence. Part of building a strong case is obtaining the driver’s logs, inspection records, maintenance history, and personnel file and comparing them against what the law requires.

How our firm investigates your case

Our investigation includes an in-depth examination of the accident scene, obtaining witness statements, securing photos of the scene and your injuries, and background research on the truck driver’s driving record, travel logs, and the trucking company’s policies. We move quickly to preserve the truck’s electronic data and physical evidence, and we work with qualified experts in accident reconstruction and injury causation when a case calls for it. Our attorneys take every step necessary to pursue compensation for your medical costs, rehabilitation, pain, and suffering. If you are injured, or a family member dies from injuries sustained in a trucking accident, you need an attorney experienced in trucking accident litigation to help you pursue recovery of damages for the harm you suffered.

Damages you may be able to recover

Depending on the circumstances, an injured victim or surviving family may be entitled to recover for current and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, physical pain and mental anguish, disfigurement and physical impairment, and, in a wrongful death claim, the losses suffered by surviving family members. The value of a case depends on the severity of the injuries, the degree of fault, and the available coverage — which is exactly why preserving evidence early matters so much.

Our Expertise

Our firm represents clients who have been injured or who have lost a loved one in a trucking accident. With extensive experience in handling tractor-trailer collisions, we work to aggressively pursue the compensation our clients deserve, and we are prepared to take a case to trial when a carrier refuses to make a fair offer.

For a Free Case Evaluation, Call Our Office Today

We take personal injury cases on a contingency basis, which means you do not owe us a fee unless we recover damages on your behalf. Call (210) 272-0101 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and discuss how our experience in personal injury law can benefit you. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, home and hospital visits are available.