What are the different types of truck accidents?
Injured? A San Antonio truck accident lawyer can help
Our San Antonio truck accident lawyers work on all different types of accidents involving 18-wheelers, from rear-end accidents on Loop 410 in San Antonio to wrong-way accidents on Highway 151 or I-10. Whatever type of truck wreck you’ve been injured in, it’s important you take the right steps so you don’t miss out on the compensation you’re entitled to. Our experienced San Antonio truck accident attorneys know how to handle complex truck crash cases. Discover what the Herrera Law Firm can do for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
1800 W. Commerce St.
San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: (210) 224-1054
Some of the most common truck accidents our legal team handles include:
- Jackknife Accidents
- Rear-End Crashes
- Underride Collisions
- Runaway Trailer Crashes
- Accidents Involving Mexican Trucks
- Truck Maintenance/Defective Equipment
When a tractor-trailer folds in on itself and forms the shape of a closing jackknife, it’s commonly referred to as a jackknife accident. These are common and dangerous accidents that can result in serious injuries or fatalities. A jackknife accident can happen if a truck driver loses control of the vehicle and the trailer swings out and forms a 90-degree angle. The driver might be speeding and need to stop quickly because of traffic congestion. In these situations, the trailer might begin to swing wide as the driver applies the brakes. The trailer could swing into the path of another vehicle, posing a threat to everyone sharing the road, or the truck may roll over.
These accidents sometimes happen when a driver loses control on a slick surface or fails to use caution during inclement weather. Jackknife accidents also occur when a driver fails to use caution while approaching a curve. A truck driver facing a potential jackknife accident can lock the steering axle brakes, lock the drive axles, or lock the trailer axles. A trained driver should understand that evenly applying pressure to the brakes is the way to avoid a jackknife accident.
Whatever the circumstances of your crash, our truck accident lawyers want to meet with you and learn more about your jackknife accident. We know what questions to ask, what evidence to look for, and how to take those facts and transform them into a strong, legal case.
Rear-end accidents involving two cars often result in minor injuries, like whiplash or wrist injuries. Rear-end truck accidents are completely different. When these crashes occur, the force of a truck smashing into the back of a car often results in severe injuries or death.
A rear-end collision caused by a truck driver can often be traced back to a driver who is distracted, tired or impaired by drugs or alcohol. In other cases, a driver might be speeding or driving recklessly and following the vehicle in front too closely. A tractor-trailer that is fully loaded might weigh more than 80,000 pounds. When such a large vehicle slams into a sedan, minivan or even an SUV, the results can be disastrous for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Whatever the circumstances of your rear-end truck accident, don’t wait to take legal action. Make sure you take your collision seriously right from the start. Our San Antonio truck accident attorneys can handle all the legal issues associated with your collision, whether it’s dealing with trucking companies or dealing with insurance providers.
Underride accidents happen when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a semi-truck and the smaller vehicle gets stuck underneath the trailer. Underride accident victims often don’t survive, and if they do, they suffer life-changing injuries, like paralysis or limb amputation.
Claims from underride accidents can be very difficult. That’s because the trucking company may argue that the driver of the smaller vehicle failed to use caution or stop in time before the accident occurred, even though many of these accidents happen because of truck driver or trucking company negligence.
For example, the truck may have broken taillights or the taillights may be dim or covered with dirt. In some cases, a truck may be broken down, but the driver failed to use reflective triangles to warn oncoming traffic. A truck driver that is operating significantly under the speed limit and slower than other vehicles may also be at fault in such accidents.
Underride crashes also often involve product liability claims against the trailer’s manufacturer. Because of the risk of underride, most trailers incorporate underride guards that are intended to stop these deadly accidents from happening. Unfortunately, those guards often fail to adequately protect other drivers. If that was the case in your accident, you may be able to recover compensation from the manufacturer.
Whatever the circumstances of your underride accident, our San Antonio truck accident attorneys are prepared to work with you and take aggressive legal action in support of your claim. Contact us today to see how we can help.
When truck drivers speed, they run the risk of causing runaway trailer accidents. In these types of crashes, the speed of the trailer exceeds the speed of the truck. When this happens, the driver might lose control of the 18-wheeler and put everyone else on the road in danger. The brakes may fail, causing a high-speed collision. In some cases, the trailer might become detached from the cab, which can have a disastrous impact on anyone who happens to be nearby.
While speeding is one of the most common causes of runaway trailer accidents, there are other ways for them to happen. The trailer may be overloaded, which can lead to a blowout or brake failure. The trailer can detach if the driver makes a sudden or unexpected turn. If the truck is approaching a steep decline, the driver should use caution because the descent may lead to difficulty controlling the speed of the truck. Or perhaps the brakes failed, causing a runaway trailer accident.
In each case, negligent actions by the truck driver or the trucking company are to blame for the crash. That’s why it’s important to contact our law firm as soon as possible. We can investigate your accident and find out exactly what happened. That way, you can receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Accidents Involving Mexican Trucks
Tractor-trailers from Mexico pass through San Antonio and Texas every day. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) allows trucks from Mexico to legally enter into the United States. Unfortunately, some of these trucks are unsafe and put other motorists in danger.
Insurance regulations in Mexico aren’t as strict as they are in the United States. Some Mexican companies don’t conduct good enough background checks and hire truck drivers who don’t have the experience or training to safely operate an 18-wheeler.
The truck accident lawyers from our San Antonio law firm understand how to represent clients injured in accidents involving Mexican trucks. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving a truck from Mexico, contact us today for a free consultation. Our Spanish-speaking attorneys can explain your legal options and help you figure out the best course of action to take to get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Truck Maintenance/Defective Equipment
Truck accidents linked to maintenance problems or defective equipment demand the attention of a knowledgeable San Antonio truck accident attorney. That’s because it’s often hard to obtain evidence proving that the trucking company or vehicle manufacturer made a mistake. In many cases, these companies do everything they can to conceal evidence and hide the truth.
Independent haulers and nationwide logistics companies are required to keep maintenance records showing they have taken steps to prevent maintenance problems, like truck brake failure or tire blowouts. All too often they do not meet the required standard. A truck accident lawyer in Texas can pore through the records and documents to see that the company met certain standards.
Truck driver negligence can arise when the driver overlooks the required daily pre-trip safety inspection of the tractor-trailer. Drivers are required to document these inspections. Then there are the insurance companies. They often make a lowball settlement offer or deny your claim altogether.
At the Herrera Law Firm, our legal team knows how to handle insurance companies. That’s because our San Antonio truck accident lawyers have dealt with all of them over the years. We understand the law in Texas and know what it takes to win.
