Many automobiles share Texas roads, and 18 wheelers are among them. If you have ever driven a Texas highway, the chances are high that you have encountered one of these colossal beasts up close and personal. At Thompson Law, our San Antonio 18 wheeler accident lawyers are here to help if that encounter becomes a crash.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (2018) states that 5,096 large trucks or buses were involved in fatal crashes, and there was a 45% increase in fatal crashes between 2009 and 2018. 18 wheelers are essential to the Texas and US economies. But they also present unique dangers to drivers of much smaller vehicles. Even big Texas trucks are no match for an 80,000 pound 18 wheeler.
Common causes of San Antonio 18-wheeler accidents are:
18-wheeler accidents have distinct regulations and rules. They are different from other car crashes in many ways. If you were the victim of an 18 wheeler accident, you can find yourself up against a driver, an insurance company, and an entire trucking company in no time at all. An experienced San Antonio 18 wheeler accident attorney can help.
Like any auto accident, certain steps and actions are critical. If you were in an 18 wheeler accident, your damages and injuries might be significant. Try to follow these steps to the best of your ability:
Prompt medical treatment is essential. If you delay medical attention, the claims adjuster will likely question and challenge the severity of your injuries. The adjuster can argue that your injuries were not severe enough to get prompt medical care, and your settlement amount should reflect that fact. Experienced San Antonio 18 wheeler accident lawyers can guide you every step of the way to ensure the best outcome.
A San Antonio, Texas 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer will help with the following:
In an 18 wheeler accident, the evidence is different. San Antonio 18 wheeler accident lawyers will help you collect all the details needed to support your case. Unique evidence might include truck inspection records, drug screening records, dispatch instructions, weight tickets, the driverās training file, and more.
At Thompson Law, we have extensive experience dealing with all types of personal injury and auto accidents. Our lawyers have handled all kinds of injury crashes, including big truck accidents and 18 wheeler accidents. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your accident, your injuries, and your rights.
We provide auto accident victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring that you get fair value for your claim. Our San Antonio 18 wheeler accident lawyers will build a strong case with supporting evidence so that you recover the money that you deserve.
A crash with an 18 wheeler is unlike any other. The sheer size of a commercial truck makes any collision potentially life-altering. Because 18 wheeler accidents are so unique and complex, professional support and guidance are essential.
It is important to remember that 18 wheeler trucks have bigger insurance policies. Because 18 wheelers can cause such severe damage, commercial truck insurance is typically much more expensive than personal vehicle insurance. With more money at stake, you can be certain trucking companies and their insurance companies will spare no effort to deny your claim.
Other reasons 18 wheeler crashes are different:
Unlike other accidents, an 18 wheeler crash can have multiple liable parties. Potential responsible parties include maintenance companies, freight owners, truck owners, truck drivers, truck parts manufacturers, and more. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and advocate for your best interests.
If you are injured in any type of accident, your first priority should be to seek immediate medical attention, even if you are not certain that you are injured.Ā Seeking immediate medical treatment does two things: 1) it ensures injuries you sustained are diagnosed and treated; and, 2) it helps eliminate any doubt by the insurance company that your injuries were caused by the accident.āÆ
Often, the shock and adrenaline of an accident can mask symptoms of injuries, so making the mistake of skipping a medical examination can have profound consequences. By seeking prompt medical treatment, you protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation for your injuries with the help of your attorney.
A skilled personal injury lawyer is necessary to get full and fair compensation for injuries you sustained in an accident.āÆMost defendants, whether individual drivers or commercial vehicle operators, are covered by liability insurance.āÆThose insurance companies are not obligated to protect or take care of you. Insurance companies exist to protect the defendant (their customer) who caused the wreck.Ā
A personal injury attorney can help you obtain compensation for every category of damages to which you are legally entitled. These damages can include things like: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain & suffering, punitive damages, loss of limb, diminished mental function, physical impairment, scarring or disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma,Ā and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims). Further, you may be entitled to future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, and other damages in severe injury cases.
The largest factor affecting your claimās value is the severity or magnitude of your injuries. More severe injuries typically require more medical treatment.Ā SoĀ it isĀ essential to have all your injuries documented properly by seeking immediate treatment with doctors orĀ hospitals, andĀ continuing under the care and direction of your doctors as long as necessary to heal. Without prompt and consistent medical treatment and documentation, an injury claim becomes very difficult to pursue, let alone win.Ā
Of course, other factors an also have an impact,Ā andĀ each and everyĀ case is different.⯠Were you injured in a commercial vehicle wreckĀ orĀ truck wreckĀ that totaled your car, or was it a fender bender that did very little damage? Was the other driver intoxicated or drunk, or speeding? A multitude of factors may play into your claimās overall likely value.⯠An experiencedĀ personal injury lawyer will be able to visit with you and talk to you more specifically about factors which mayĀ affectĀ yourĀ particular claim.Ā Ā
In Texas, you usually have two (2) years from the date of incident to file a personal injury claim before it is barred by the statute of limitations. There are exceptions to this 2-year time limit in Texas, for minors and others.āÆFurther, other states have different time limits, and the limit that applies is typically for the state in which the accident occurred.
The safest course of action for someone injured in a car wreck, truck wreck, slip and fall, or any other type of accident is to consult with a personal injury attorney.⯠This will help ensure that you do not miss the applicable limitations period.⯠Moreover, it will ensure the right investigations are conducted, and the proper steps are taken to preserve the evidence, photos, witness statements, and records needed to successfully pursue your claim.Ā
If you are injured in a hit-and-run wreck (and are unable to locate the driver) or are hurt in a collision where the other driverĀ does not have insurance,Ā you are not necessarily out of optionsĀ in terms of financial recovery. You may still be able to recover for your personal injuries if your own policy has Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP).Ā Itās a good ideaĀ to contact your insurance company to confirm what types of coverage you have on your policyĀ before an accident, but if you have been hitĀ be sure to ask these questions before finalizing your claim request. Even if you do not have UM or PIP, the attorneys and investigators at Thompson LawĀ can work toĀ track down the other driver in a hit-and-run accident. To do this, we rely onĀ witnesses who may have captured a photo of the car or license plate and/orĀ availableĀ surveillance cameraĀ footageĀ that might have captured the wreck.Ā Ā
Typical damages you can recover in a personal injury claim include: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and in some cases even punitive damages. In severe injury cases, other damages may be recoverable, such as: future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, loss of body member or mental function, physical impairment, disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims).
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage can help save the day if you are hit by an uninsured driver or if you are the victim in a hit-and-run collision. In short,Ā UM coverageĀ is an add-on coverage that drivers can add to their auto insurance policies that will protect themĀ in the event thatĀ they are in an auto accident with a driver who either does not have insurance or cannot beĀ located.Ā You can contact your insurance provider to confirm whether your policy includes UM. IfĀ you doĀ notĀ have this coverage, the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law recommend that you consider adding UM to yourĀ auto insuranceĀ policy today.Ā
Knowing how comparative negligence works is vital if you live in a state that uses it. In simple terms, comparative negligence implies both drivers can share fault for an accident, but one driver can be more at fault than the other. For example, you are texting while driving when another driver runs a stop sign and hits your car.
A jury finds that the driver who ran the stop sign is 80 percent at fault, but they believe you would have had a better chance of avoiding the accident if you were not texting at the time. They find you 20 percent at fault. You can only collect enough compensation to cover the other driver’s fault. In this case, you would get $8,000 if the jury thinks your case is worth $10,000.
Having the police respond to the accident scene is of paramount importance. Make sure that YOU call them and insist that they come and investigate the accident. When the police arrive, they will separate the drivers and witnesses from one another and take statements from everyone involved. Be cooperative, detailed,Ā and firm in describing the accident. The investigating officer will usually determine fault based upon these statements, andĀ itĀ is essential that your version of the events is heard and believed. If you think that you may be injured, make that clear to the officer.Ā If an ambulance or other medical professionals arrive on scene,Ā get checked out.Ā If not, make plans to visit an emergency room or doctor soon after you leave the scene.Ā Before youĀ doĀ leaveĀ for this care, the officer will provide you with a report number and their contact information. MakeĀ sureĀ this informationĀ is safely saved, as it will be very important in any auto accident injury claim you may have.āÆāÆāÆāÆĀ
Call an attorney. Your first instinct might be to call your insurance company, but it’s best to seek legal council first so you don’t accidentally admit guilt or take responsibility for the accident. In many cases your attorney will call the insurance company for you to prevent that from happening.
Absolutely not. It’s important to leave the investigation to the professionals. They know exactly how to work a case to determine all of the facts and details.
Typically, yes. If a family member is seriously injured orĀ killed in an accident, or if the injured party is a minor child, then it may be appropriate under the law for a parent, spouse, relative, or legal guardian to file a claim or lawsuit on behalf of the injured orĀ deceasedĀ party.Ā These types of claims are complex, and usually depend on the type of relationship involved, as well as the individual facts and circumstances of the injury. Calling the experienced personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law is step one to explore filing a legal claim on behalf of your loved one.Ā
Even if you are partially to blame for a car accident, you may be able to recover some of your damages from the other party. Under Texasās proportionate responsibility system (also known as comparative negligence),Ā unlessĀ you as the claimant/plaintiff are determined more than 51%Ā at fault, you may recover legal damages that are reduced by the percentage you are determined at fault. For example, if you are determined to be 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of your damages from the other responsible party (you canāt recover the other 30% becauseĀ that was the amount of liability that was determined to lie with you). The personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law can help you navigate thisĀ proportionate responsibility system ā soĀ reach out online or call anytimeĀ for a free consultation.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
If the other vehicle involved in your crash was an 18 wheeler or another commercial vehicle, call an attorney immediately. Companies who own commercial vehicles and 18 wheelers often have their own team of investigators who will arrive on the scene immediately working on the driver’s defense case. The sooner you involve an attorney of your own, the better your chances are of receiving compensation for your injuries and damages.
Drivers of 18 wheelers and other commercial vehicles are held to a higher standard of driving. If they neglect to turn on their flashing lights when they’re on the side of the road, don’t move over far enough onto the shoulder, don’t properly secure their cargo, or don’t leave enough clearance when making a left turn, and in many other cases, the driver could be considered negligent. If you want to know if the driver of the 18 wheeler involved in your case was negligent, contact a personal injury attorney.
No. They aren’t trying to help you. They’re trying to protect their drivers and reduce their costs. That’s why they have a team of lawyers ready to flock to the scene of any accident. Don’t accept any form of compensation until you talk to your attorney. Most victims of 18 wheeler crashes sustain more injuries than victims of normal crashes, and can receive higher compensation as a result. Don’t let them fool you into accepting a smaller payout for your injuries and damages. Your injuries could require years of medications and surgeries, and the company will try everything to avoid making huge payouts. Call your attorney and let them do the negotiating on your behalf.
ManyĀ timesĀ it can beĀ the fault ofĀ bothĀ the driver and theĀ 18 wheelerĀ company. Truck drivers can be at fault just like any otherĀ motoristĀ forĀ failingĀ to follow the rules of the road. However,Ā 18 wheelerĀ companiesĀ and their employeesĀ have federal lawsĀ they are required toĀ follow that govern things like how manyĀ consecutive hours of driving are allowable,Ā minimum numbers of resting hoursĀ between jobs, when and how to do inspections, and so on. Also, theĀ 18 wheelerĀ companies have specific duties and responsibilities regarding training their drivers and supervising their work. WhenĀ truckingĀ companies refuse to follow standard rules, regulations, and practices regarding the commercial and transportation industry, people can get hurt and companies can be found at fault for contributing to or causing the collision through theirĀ irresponsibleĀ decisions. āÆAn experiencedĀ 18-wheeler accidentĀ lawyer will know what violations to look for and how to hold both the driver and the company responsible for endangering the motoring public on the roads we all share.Ā Ā
If you or a family member are injured in an automobile accident, you cannot afford NOT to hire the very best attorney available.Ā Thompson Law works on aĀ contingency fee basis. What this means is that you only pay legal fees IF we win for you and AFTER your case is settled. We understand that legal feesĀ upfront are simply too much to deal with after a serious accident where you are dealing with property damage repairs, medical bills, missed work and lost wages. The fact that you owe $0 upfront isĀ an added bonusĀ when you hireĀ great legal representationĀ at Thompson Law.Ā Ā āÆ
If you were injured as the result ofĀ someone elseās negligence, there is a good chance we can help you out. We will look at the facts of your accident, whether a car wreck, truck wreck, motorcycle accident,Ā or on-the-job-injury and examine whatever reports or records are available.Ā If we believe that you were injured and it was someone elseās fault, itĀ is likely toĀ be a case we can take. The more information and documentation you can give us about your accident and your injuries, the quicker we can evaluate your case and let you know.⯠Give us a callĀ or reach out onlineĀ anytime!Ā
TheĀ right personal injury attorneyĀ has three majorĀ characteristics: Excellent customer service, cutting edge technology, and a willingness to take cases and win at trial. Ask your potential attorney about the client experienceĀ they offer, what kind of technology they use to make your life easier, and when was the lastĀ timeĀ they took a case to jury trial. Asking these types of questions will give you guidance on what kind of experience you can expect as a client and what kind of results you can expect at the end of your case. Thompson Law, LLP has high ratings from clients for its emphasis on customer service, and its attorneys have achieved significant results on small, large, and complex cases alike. No matter if youĀ have been involved in a minorĀ car wreck or areĀ dealing with catastrophic injuries fromĀ a rarer and moreĀ devastating event likeĀ aĀ terrible workplace accident, dog bite,Ā or anĀ 18 wheelerĀ wreck, Thompson LawĀ Injury LawyersĀ can assist you.Ā Ā
Yes! Thompson Law is availableĀ 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekĀ to provide free consultations. If you have been injured in a truck wreck or car accident, hurt in a slip and fallĀ incident, or otherwise injured from the negligence of another person or party, give us a call any time at 1-800-LION-LAW.Ā We can speak to you over the phone,Ā chat onlineĀ through our website or social mediaĀ outlets, orĀ arrange an in-person meeting at your convenience.Ā Our team is ready to help!Ā
Thompson Law isĀ available 24/7Ā to provide free consultations and to sign up new clients. We can sign you up over the phone or we can send one of our experienced licensed investigators to meet you at the hospital or at your home if you prefer. Whether you live in Arlington, Ft. Worth, El Paso, McAllen, or even outside of the state of Texas, we are always here to assist youĀ and provide theĀ resources you needĀ at a difficult time. We do the hard work for you so that you can focus on healing from your injuries.Ā Ā
Letās be honest: this isnāt a legal show on TV and your case will not settle in the next hour ā or even tomorrow.Ā The true answerĀ is:Ā it depends.Ā We find thatĀ mostĀ cases settle within 7-10 months from date of incident;Ā butĀ the timeframe in your case could be shorter or longer depending on: the facts and circumstances of the accident; the length of time it takes you to complete medical treatment; and the character of the insurance company, or companies, involved in your case.Ā Ā In the event thatĀ your case cannot settle pre-litigation and it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit,Ā that processĀ alone can take 1 to 2 years due to the court system and legal process necessary to prepare for trial.Ā But because so much of the timeline depends on the facts and circumstances of your unique case, call Thompson Law today to discuss.Ā
Office Location: 777 E Sonterra Blvd Suite 330, San Antonio, TX 78258
Thompson Law offersĀ free case reviewsĀ to every potential client so we can help you determine the best legal approach to pursue.Ā We receive no attorney fees and you pay no legal expenses unless you get compensated for your accident.
Thompson Lawās personal injury lawyers and their legal teams treat every client with respect, empathy, and compassion. We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, as every case is unique and different.Ā Our firm won 15 of theĀ top 50 settlements in Texas in 2021, as well as the 2nd and 3rd largest personal injury settlements in the State in 2020.Ā We can help you, too.
State law limits the time to file a claim following a personal injury accident. If you have been injured, call now for the help you need.