As one of the top ten largest cities in the United States and an intersection of various major interstate highways and Texas freeways, the City of San Antonio serves as a major hub for residents, visitors, and commercial trade. A densely populated area contributes to congested streets filled with everyday drivers, alongside large commercial vehicles and trucks.
It is probably not something you think about when you take to the road for your daily commute, but accidents are an everyday occurrence along the roadways of San Antonio and neighboring areas. If you've sustained injuries in a San Antonio truck accident, consider contacting the experienced San Antonio truck accident attorneys at Dolman Law Group to determine your eligibility to seek compensation following your accident.
We provide complimentary case reviews for victims of truck crashes, answering questions and helping them understand their next steps to financial recovery. We would be glad to review your case with you, too.
About Dolman Law Group
Dolman Law Group has offices conveniently located throughout the country, including in San Antonio. We represent individuals who have sustained injuries in preventable accidents, including truck accidents. We have experience negotiating with at-fault parties and their insurance companies, as well as pursuing litigation and representing our clients at trial.
Our award-winning attorneys have received local and national recognition for the high-quality legal services that they provide, and our success has been featured on Fox, ABC, and NBC. When injured individuals (or grieving family members) retain us to handle their truck accident claims, we always pursue maximum compensation for them, which will depend on the specific circumstances of the truck accident and their injuries.
The Cost of Hiring Our Firm
At Dolman Law Group, we offer free, no-obligation consultations to prospective clients, during which they can discuss the details of their case and determine their eligibility to pursue compensation for the full cost of their injuries. We take cases on contingency, which means that our interests are always aligned with those of our clients.
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a San Antonio truck accident, contact us today to discuss the details of the collision. You can ask questions about your legal options and determine your eligibility to pursue compensation for the full cost of your injuries.
Why Hire Us?
If you decide to handle your truck accident claim on your own, you may miss out on potential compensation. Your damages claim should include your economic damages, such as medical bills and property damage, as well as non-economic damages, which are more difficult to ascertain given their subjective nature. You should retain an experienced truck accident lawyer to help determine your best legal course of action, take over negotiations on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary.
At Dolman Law Group, we have the extensive resources and network of experts of a large firm, but we combine that with the accessibility and customer-service focus of a local boutique firm. When you retain us to handle your truck accident claim, you get the best of both worlds.
If the at-fault parties' insurance company has already presented you with a settlement offer, you should consult an attorney before accepting. Insurance companies often offer low-ball initial settlements, and simply retaining an attorney may result in your settlement offer immediately increasing.
The personal injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group have successfully represented truck accident victims in the past, and we have the legal knowledge and skill to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers if you've suffered injuries or lost a loved one in San Antonio.
Our Results
At Dolman Law Group, we have a track record of success representing individuals who have sustained injuries in truck accidents in San Antonio and our other service areas. Our legal knowledge and trial skills set us apart from our competition, and we confidently pursue maximum compensation on behalf of all of our clients.
While we cannot guarantee a favorable result in your case, we can promise to work hard to ensure the best possible outcome given your specific circumstances. Some of our recent truck collision results include:
- $3.2 million in compensation for a client who sustained traumatic brain injuries in a truck accident
- $1.7 million in compensation for a client who sustained a severe shoulder injury and a mild traumatic brain injury in a truck accident
- $775,000 in compensation for a father and son who sustained severe injuries when a large pickup truck slammed into the back of their small SUV
All these clients suffered serious injuries and substantial economic and non-economic expenses and losses. The recoverable damages we can seek in your case would depend on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, your medical bills, your ongoing and future care needs, and more.
We determine a fair settlement value for our clients' claims before we approach the insurer or the liable party's legal team with a demand for compensation. This is the only way to ensure that our clients are not accepting too little money, leaving them with bills and financial losses because of their injuries.
Truck Accident Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly 5,000 fatalities occur yearly in accidents involving large trucks. Of those fatalities, more than 70 percent were drivers and passengers of other vehicles that collided with trucks. An even greater number of individuals survive but are seriously injured in truck accidents each year. This often includes catastrophic injuries that leave them with lasting impairments, significantly affecting their everyday life.
Increased demands in the shipping industry, combined with congested roadways, leave trucks traveling alongside passenger vehicles at most times throughout the day. The sheer size and power of these rucks can cause unthinkable damage and injuries to those that cross their path in an accident. A truck accident victim faces impacts not only on their overall wellbeing but also their finances and quality of life.
Our attorneys represent truck accident victims based on contingency fees because we believe everyone should have access to a legal advocate who will fight for justice on their behalf. If you suffered substantial injuries and losses because of a negligent trucker or trucking company, you should not have to face financial stress and pay for your damages out of your own pocket.
Trucks Can Cause Severe Damage in a Collision
Trucks come in various sizes and with different capabilities. From large box trucks to semi-trucks, flatbeds to 18-wheelers, each truck serves a specific purpose, and each has a unique design that can contribute to catastrophic collisions or accidents with other vehicles on the roads.
While these trucks can differ in their design as well as their general size and weight, they all are significantly heavier than passenger vehicles. In many cases, they are used to transport heavy machinery, hazardous cargo, or everyday goods across and within states. The size and weight of trucks, in combination with the weight of goods on board and their overall design, create hazards that can cause catastrophic accidents resulting in injuries and death.
Types of Truck Accidents
Certain accidents are more common when a truck is involved. The type of truck accident can have different impacts on the other vehicles, as well as the severity and type of injuries passengers, drivers, and bystanders suffer.
Different types of truck accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions – In this accident, a truck will impact a vehicle from behind. This can result in a vehicle being thrust into other vehicles ahead or oncoming traffic. Passengers in rear seats are particularly vulnerable in these accidents, although injuries or fatalities can occur to anyone in the vehicle, depending on the speed and impact of the crash.
- Underride accidents – These are some of the most tragic and horrific collisions and one of the highest causes of fatalities in truck accidents. An underride accident occurs when a vehicle becomes lodged under the back end or side of a truck from a collision. The severity of these types of truck accidents is avoidable; however, most trucks in the United States are not equipped with sufficient underride protection to prevent serious injury or deaths.
- Override accidents – Unlike in an underride accident, where a vehicle will travel underneath a truck from the impact from the rear or side, an override accident occurs when a truck cannot stop in time and proceeds to run over a vehicle. This lodges the vehicle underneath its front end.
- Front-impact or head-on crashes – These crashes can occur when a truck veers out of its lane into oncoming traffic, or a truck driver loses control of the truck along the road, striking an oncoming vehicle.
- Jack-knife accidents – This particular type of accident is unique to trucks due to their mechanisms and design. Specifically, a jack-knife occurs when the cab portion of a semi-truck loses control of the trailer, causing the truck to fold in on itself while traveling across various lanes of traffic and potentially colliding with other vehicles.
- T-bone or side-impact crashes – Although not as common—because most truck accidents occur along highways—these collisions are quite disastrous when they do occur on rural, suburban, or urban streets. Side-impact collisions from an oncoming truck can leave vehicles unrecognizable and occupants with horrific and often fatal injuries.
- Rollover crashes – Speeding, heavy cargo, and high winds can all contribute to a rollover truck accident. The size of the truck, as well as the cargo involved, can wreak havoc along the roads and collide with other vehicles traveling nearby.
- Flying cargo or debris – From tire blowouts to heavy materials, any object that is improperly secured can become a dangerous and deadly projectile to vehicles traveling behind a truck. Loose cargo or debris can cause injuries to the passengers and occupants of vehicles along the road.
- Runaway trailer accidents – When a trailer becomes unhinged from a truck, it will continue traveling until it comes to a stop or strikes traffic or obstacles ahead. A runaway trailer has the potential to cause devastating injuries and death to any individual in its path. Once a truck is separated from the trailer, there is next to nothing that can be done to prevent an impact with other vehicles on the road.
Most Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
Many truck accidents result in fatalities. Even most of the victims who survive are left with severe injuries and lifelong implications.
The injuries in truck accidents often require extensive medical care, including emergency treatment, surgeries, and therapy. While some injuries may heal, others may result in permanent disabilities for the victim. Truck accident victims face weeks if not months of care and accumulation of medical expenses.
The injuries of truck accident victims often include:
- Brain injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Other head and neck injuries
- Blunt force injuries to internal organs
- Severe lacerations
- Amputations
- Burns
- Broken bones and fractures
- Torn ligaments, muscles, and other soft tissue
Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents and Collisions
Many elements and events can cause a truck accident, including bad weather, driver misjudgment, faulty equipment, and dangerous road conditions. Truck drivers face many of the same distractions and temptations as other drivers sharing the road. They must adapt their driving to combat many unique stressors of their profession as well as external elements.
When there is a mistake made, the likelihood of an accident resulting in injuries skyrockets. The safety and health of those traveling on the road alongside a truck are most at risk. Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Truck driver fatigue
- Violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) truck industry standards and regulations
- Driving under the influence
- Excessive speed
- Inexperienced truck driver
- Reckless maneuvers
- Improper truck or equipment maintenance or repairs
- Failure to properly load or secure cargo
- Failure in the hiring process
In general, the incident that begins most truck accidents occurs because of human error.
Driver Error Is a Frequent Cause of Truck Collisions
When the trucker is at fault, it is most commonly because they violated a traffic law because of carelessness or one of the aforementioned factors. For example, speeding or distracted driving will not directly cause a collision. However, they make it much more likely that the driver may:
- Run a red light
- Change lanes without checking to ensure the lane is clear
- Fail to stop when approaching stopped traffic
- Fail to yield when turning left
- Fail to maintain their lane
All of this is important when we are building a truck accident claim. However, it is essential to understand that simply showing a driver was speeding does not make them fully liable for your collision. We need to show how the accident occurred and how their negligent actions made them legally responsible for that.
Liability in Truck Accident Cases
When a truck driver is found at fault in an accident, it is often a critical error or misjudgment on their part that led to the accident and resulting injuries. However, just because a truck driver is determined at fault in the accident does not mean that they are the only party liable for your injuries.
One commonality amongst most trucks is their use as commercial vehicles, whether for the shipment or transportation of goods, machinery, or materials. When an accident occurs, many elements could have contributed to the accident and the severity of the injuries you sustained.
Often, it is necessary to take a close look at the facts of the accident itself—as well as the relationship of the truck driver with various other parties—to ensure that all parties potentially liable for your injuries are included in your San Antonio truck accident claim.
Other parties that could be liable for your damages include the:
- Employer of the truck driver
- Owner of the truck
- Party shipping the goods if contents are inherently dangerous or hazardous
- Company in charge of loading cargo
- Manufacturers of trucks parts or equipment
Thanks to the legal theory of respondeat superior, the trucker's employer is almost always vicariously liable when a truck driver causes a crash. Many trucking companies and their legal teams will try to avoid this situation. Still, the courts generally rule employers liable if the driver was on the clock and completing tasks related to their job when the collision occurred.
The Damages in a Truck Accident Case
Under the law, you can seek different types of losses and damages in a San Antonio truck accident claim. Truck accident victims likely understand their economic losses, such as medical expenses or damage to their vehicle and lost work. However, when you are in a truck accident, the damages you suffer can go beyond what you may have initially considered.
No amount of money can erase the pain and injuries you have suffered, but under the law, you have the ability to fight for compensation for most of the damages you have sustained. Damages in a San Antonio truck accident claim can include:
- Expenses related to medical care and treatment you need now and in the future
- Losses to income for missed work, or for your inability to perform prior work duties
- Future impacts and reductions to income due to your injuries
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- The cost to replace or repair damaged property
- Losses related to the wrongful death of a loved one
- Punitive damages, in extreme circumstances
At Dolman Law Group, our attorneys help clients identify their recoverable damages, build a claim against the liable parties, and seek a fair value for their case.
What Four Steps You Should Take Following a San Antonio Truck Accident?
If you are involved in a truck accident, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your interests in the days and weeks that follow:
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Seek Help From Law Enforcement and Emergency Services
If you physically can, call 911 immediately following your accident. If you are conscious but can't make the call yourself, request the help of a witness or bystander. Cooperate with law enforcement at the scene and proceed to the emergency department for care and evaluation of your injuries.
Even if you feel you are not seriously injured, it is best to get an evaluation for possible internal injuries as soon as possible. If at any point you feel unwell or are in pain after an accident, proceed to an emergency room immediately for medical care.
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Gather All Evidence, Documentation, and Records
Collect accident reports, photographs or videos of injuries and damages, medical records, and any other documents relevant to your accident and injuries. If you can safely do so, take photographs of damage and injuries at the scene.
If you can't do so yourself or are immediately transported for treatment, ask a friend or family member to take photographs or videos of the accident scene or damages as soon as possible following the accident.
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Refrain From Making Statements Right After the Accident
Insurance companies will try to contact you shortly after an accident. Be cautious in answering any questions and refrain from making statements until you have consulted an attorney for your case. What you say to insurance representatives or other parties following an accident can hold great weight in your case, affecting the compensation offered to you or denial of your claim.
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Contact Dolman Law Group
If you can physically communicate following your accident, consider contacting a San Antonio truck accident attorney as soon as possible. If you are yourself a loved one of an injured truck accident victim that is unconscious or has lost their life in a truck accident, you can contact us on your loved one's behalf for more information on their legal rights against the parties responsible.
San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer FAQs
As a truck accident victim or the loved one of a truck accident victim, you likely have many questions regarding your case and your rights. While no two accidents are alike, there are certain rights under the law that offer you protection and an opportunity to seek monetary compensation for the losses you have sustained.
From the need for extended medical treatment to significant impacts on your finances, a truck accident can present many unexpected challenges to an injury victim.
You may have many questions. Some of the most common ones our clients ask us include:
What Are My Legal Rights and Protections as a San Antonio Truck Accident Victim?
When you are involved in an accident with a truck that is another party's fault, you can seek compensation for your losses under the law. Often, damages in a San Antonio truck accident claim are sought through the insurer of the at-fault party, as well as your own insurance company in some limited circumstances.
Negotiations with insurance companies may prove difficult to manage. They often won't consider all your losses or damages. This is especially true in cases with injuries that impact not only your physical health but also your ability to participate and enjoy everyday activities or earn an income.
At the end of the day, insurance companies want to pay as little for a claim as possible, and if they find a reason to outright deny your claim, they will do so. This is where a San Antonio truck accident attorney can prove an invaluable asset to your case.
A truck accident lawyer understands what you could be entitled to under the law and can help negotiate with insurance companies for a resolution in your case. If you can't agree on a satisfactory settlement, your attorney can proceed with the case in civil court, if necessary.
What Is the Value of My San Antonio Truck Accident Case?
One of the most common questions that are asked following a truck accident is what the value of the case is. In other words, what financial compensation can you expect for your losses? This is a complex question, and no one answer fits each accident case.
When a truck accident occurs, there are unique circumstances that cause the incident itself as well as the injuries sustained. To calculate the worth of a San Antonio truck accident claim, an attorney will consider the combination of economic and non-economic damages you have suffered.
While some losses are easy to track and estimate with documentation and records, such as medical bills or property repairs, other damages are harder to prove. For instance, damages such as those related to the pain and suffering from your injuries and future expenses necessary for your care can be difficult to predict and estimate.
A knowledgeable and experienced attorney will work alongside you to understand the details of the truck accident you were involved in—including the severity and extent of your injuries. This allows them to estimate the maximum potential compensation you can fight for. You are entitled to seek compensation against those responsible for any damage they have caused to you.
Calculations of the damages you have suffered are an important step in your San Antonio truck accident claim. With a clear understanding of your losses, you can make the best decision for you when an insurance company offers you a settlement in your case.
What Losses Can I Recover in a San Antonio Truck Accident Case?
Losses in a truck accident case can include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are considered losses that have an objective financial value, whereas non-economic damages are unique and subject to the individual suffering the loss.
Under the laws guiding truck accident cases, you are eligible to seek compensation for losses that are directly caused by the negligent actions or inaction of the at-fault party. For example, damages in a truck accident case can include:
- Medical expenses
- Income losses
- Future medical expenses and income losses
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Wrongful death
Who Is At Fault for My San Antonio Truck Accident Injuries?
The law defines the circumstances in which an individual may seek compensation for damages they have suffered in an accident. To establish liability for the truck accident claim, an injured party must prove several elements have been met as required under the law.
Specifically, negligence of an at-fault party is established when a truck accident victim can show:
- The at-fault party owed them a duty of care at the time of the accident;
- The at-fault party violated that duty of care in some manner;
- The at-fault party's actions that violated the duty of care caused the victim to sustain an injury; and
- The injury resulted in various recoverable damages.
Can More Than One Party Be Liable for My San Antonio Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accident victims deserve justice for the injuries they have suffered as well as monetary compensation to help them recover from their losses. As you prepare your case to fight for compensation, you must determine what parties could face liability for your damages and injuries. Many times, victims are surprised to discover that more than one party may be liable for the injuries they sustained.
In the moments following a truck accident, it may not be evident to you, law enforcement, or even an insurance company that the responsibilities for your injuries lie with other parties beyond the truck driver. The drivers of large trucks and tractor-trailers are often engaged in commercial activities when traveling along roadways.
Many factors could contribute to a truck accident beyond the actions of a truck driver. As such, potential liability in truck accident cases can include the:
- Truck driver – When a driver is found to be at fault, it is usually due to errors in judgment or reckless behavior that contributed to and caused the truck accident. For instance, the truck driver may have been driving under the influence, distracted, or in violation of other traffic laws.
- Trucking company – Employers in the trucking industry are notorious for placing immense pressure on drivers to meet deadlines and often do so in violation of federal laws pertaining to hours and rest. In addition to the possible violation of safety standards, truck companies can also be found liable for failures in their hiring practices or insufficient training of truck drivers.
- Truck owner – Trucks require extensive maintenance and routine inspections to ensure that all parts are in working order for the safety of the driver and other individuals along the road. Any failure on the part of a truck owner to fulfill reasonable maintenance and necessary repairs can be considered neglect if those failures contributed to the accident.
- Manufacturer of the truck or parts – In some cases, you may discover that a truck or equipment on the truck has been manufactured with a defect that makes its operation dangerous. If a flaw in manufacturing is found to have caused or contributed to the truck accident or injuries of the victims, a manufacturing company may face liability for those losses.
- Shipping or loading company – It is not uncommon for trucks to have improperly loaded cargo or hazardous materials. Improperly loaded contents can not only cause an accident, but it could also exacerbate the injuries suffered by victims. If it is determined that a shipping company's employees contributed to a truck accident, that shipping company could face liability for your injuries.
Should I Provide the Insurance Company a Statement After My San Antonio Truck Accident?
As you attempt to recover and heal from the truck accident, the at-fault insurance companies or other interested parties will likely approach you for a statement regarding the events on that day as well as your injuries. However, it is best to avoid making any statements or answering any questions regarding the specifics of the truck accident until you have consulted with an attorney.
Keep in mind that all interactions you have with insurance company representatives, witnesses, or other parties can be used against you during your San Antonio truck accident claim. Even the exclusions of a seemingly minor detail or error in recollection can result in your claim being denied or a settlement offer being drastically reduced.
Avoid unnecessary details and complications in your truck accident case—consider contacting a San Antonio truck accident attorney soon after your injuries for guidance and assistance in dealing with insurance companies.
Should I Accept the Initial Settlement Offer in My San Antonio Truck Accident Claim?
Not until you call Dolman Law Group. You want to have a truck accident attorney review any contract or agreement before you sign it, especially when you are signing away your right to seek additional compensation.
An insurance company may make a settlement offer to you soon after the truck accident. In some cases, you may not even have had a chance to consult an attorney on your case before you receive a settlement offer. Be cautious of a quick settlement, as insurance companies usually extend an offer quickly to prevent you from seeking additional compensation for your damages.
Insurance company representatives are not there to represent your interests but rather the interests of the insurance company itself. Quick settlement offers often pale in comparison to your actual estimated losses. In many instances, the settlement offer may not include all of your damages.
In addition, you may lack a firm understanding of the extent of your injuries so soon after an accident, as well as the impacts the injuries can have on your health and finances in the future. It is best to consult with a truck accident lawyer to discuss the circumstances of your case and identify all the damages you have sustained.
What Is the Deadline to File a Claim Following a San Antonio Truck Accident?
The second an accident happens, a legal clock begins to tick. The legal deadline to file a lawsuit is known as a statute of limitations.
Each state sets its own rules for the time in which you can bring a lawsuit stemming from a truck accident. For example, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 outlines the timeframe in which an injured party is allowed to bring a San Antonio truck accident lawsuit against a liable party. In Texas, a truck accident victim has only two years from the date an accident occurs to take action in court against the parties responsible.
How Long Will a San Antonio Truck Accident Case Take?
There is a wide range of timelines for the resolution of a truck accident case. Anecdotally, cases with only minor injuries and property damage are more likely to resolve quickly after an accident. However, cases with severe injuries or fatalities can take longer to resolve due to the extensive research and discovery involved.
Ultimately, it is the goal of most accident victims to settle their cases out of court as quickly as possible; however, there may be times when a quick resolution is not in your best interest or even possible. All efforts will be made to reach an agreement for fair and reasonable compensation in your case, but if that is not possible, your case will likely proceed to trial, which can take a longer time to resolve.
What If My Loved One Died in a San Antonio Truck Accident?
The unexpected loss of a loved one in a truck accident can leave families overwhelmed and angered by their loss. You may qualify to pursue compensation for the wrongful death of your loved one, including recovery for expenses related to emergency medical care, burial, and funeral.
A San Antonio truck accident attorney can help you get justice for your loved one against the parties responsible for your loss.
Do I Need an Attorney for a San Antonio Truck Accident Claim?
There is no easy way to handle a San Antonio truck accident claim. Although you can file one alone, it is not advisable. Dealing with insurance companies, at-fault parties, and other interests can be time-consuming and burdensome.
Following an accident, you want to focus on your recovery rather than worrying about deadlines and gathering evidence and eyewitness statements. A truck accident attorney can step in to help you navigate the claim process.
How Can Dolman Law Group Help Me After a San Antonio Truck Accident?
At Dolman Law Group, we understand what is necessary to help our clients through their San Antonio truck accident claims and get results in truck accident cases. We have the resources and experience to support you in your truck accident matter.
From the calculation of damages to the collection of evidence and settlement negotiations, we will serve your legal rights and best interests throughout each step of the way.
We Fight for Maximum Compensation on Behalf of Our San Antonio Truck Accident Clients at Dolman Law Group
At the law firm of Dolman Law Group, we are committed to fighting for justice for our clients and recovering maximum compensation for the losses they have incurred in a truck accident. If you or a loved one is injured in a truck collision, you may pursue compensation for the injuries and damages suffered—and we can help you do that.
Call us if a trucker crashed into you in San Antonio and left you injured. You can reach us at any time or through our contact page. We have someone standing by to talk to you right now.
San Antonio Office
921 S St Mary's St #2
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 361-2039