Sharing the road with large commercial trucks is a daily reality for drivers. While we trust in safe driving practices, the sheer size of 18-wheelers means accidents can lead to severe injuries. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a big rig, understanding your rights and seeking legal assistance is crucial. An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer in San Antonio can be your strongest advocate in navigating the aftermath of such a traumatic event.
Protecting Your Rights After an 18 Wheeler Accident
Following an 18-wheeler accident, you might be contacted by insurance adjusters with routine-sounding questions. It’s vital to remember that these inquiries are often designed to minimize payouts. Before speaking with any insurance representative, arm yourself with knowledge of your legal rights. The first step towards safeguarding your potential claim is to consult with seasoned legal professionals. A San Antonio truck accident lawyer at our firm can offer a free consultation to evaluate your situation and outline the best course of action to protect your interests and those of your family.
Common Factors in 18 Wheeler Accidents
Numerous factors can contribute to 18-wheeler accidents, many stemming from driver negligence or violations of safety protocols. Driver fatigue is a significant concern; truck drivers are under pressure to meet tight schedules, sometimes leading them to skip mandatory rest breaks or falsify driving hour logs. Deadlines imposed by employers can unfortunately incentivize unsafe practices. Negligence can manifest in various forms, endangering everyone on the road.
Victims of 18-wheeler accidents often sustain injuries due to factors like:
- Tire Blowouts: Improperly maintained tires can fail catastrophically, causing loss of control.
- Truck Driver Fatigue: Exhaustion impairs judgment and reaction time, increasing accident risk.
- Mechanical Failures: Brake malfunctions or other mechanical issues due to inadequate maintenance.
- Reckless Driving and Speeding: Disregarding speed limits or driving aggressively around smaller vehicles.
- Failure to Obey Traffic Laws and Signs: Ignoring traffic signals or regulations designed for safety.
- Distracted Driving: Anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road, including mobile devices.
- Texting While Driving: A particularly dangerous form of distracted driving with severe consequences.
- Violations of Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations: Ignoring federal safety standards designed to prevent accidents.
- Failure to Take Proper Safeguards: Neglecting precautions when backing up or maneuvering in urban environments.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Violations: Breaches of safety regulations, such as failing to log driving hours correctly or skipping required rest periods.
How a San Antonio 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney Investigates Your Claim
Determining liability in an 18-wheeler accident requires a comprehensive investigation. A skilled 18 wheeler accident lawyer serving San Antonio will utilize professional resources, potentially including crash reconstruction specialists, to thoroughly examine the accident scene and gather evidence. Responsibility can extend beyond the driver. Potentially liable parties may include trucking companies that fail to enforce safety regulations like weight and load limits, companies leasing poorly maintained trailers, and even truck manufacturers if mechanical defects are involved.
Identifying all responsible parties is crucial to maximizing compensation. Your attorney will first scrutinize the truck driver’s actions and compliance with regulations. Next, they will investigate the trucking company’s potential liability, examining their safety protocols and enforcement. The investigation may extend to the truck manufacturer to uncover any mechanical defects that contributed to the accident. This meticulous process ensures all avenues of responsibility are explored to build a robust case on your behalf.
Seeking Maximum Compensation with a Dedicated Legal Team
Collaborating with medical experts when necessary, our legal team is committed to securing the highest possible compensation for your injuries and losses from all negligent parties and their insurance providers. This includes pursuing damages for lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and any other applicable damages to aid in your recovery and rehabilitation after an 18-wheeler accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, Carabin Shaw offers the experience and resources needed to fight for your rights. Contact us at 210-222-2288 to schedule a free consultation with an 18 wheeler accident lawyer in San Antonio and learn how we can assist you.
