San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck crashes with eighty thousand pound rigs shatter lives in seconds. When a semi truck barrels through an intersection or jackknifes on Interstate 35, victims face towering medical bills, lost income, and pain that medicine alone cannot heal. Bexar County logged more than 2,250 commercial vehicle collisions and twenty truck-related deaths last year, a stark reminder of how common and devastating these wrecks are.
We step in to fight the legal battle so you can focus on recovery. As San Antonio truck accident attorney Minesh Patel, I lead a team that moves quickly to secure crucial evidence, including driver logs and black box data, before it can disappear. Our lawyers have recovered monies for Texans by combining expert reconstruction, medical specialists, and firm negotiation that insurers respect.
Costs should never stand between you and justice. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you. When a truck collision upends your world, let our experience, resources, and hometown commitment guide you toward the recovery you deserve.
“I highly recommend The Patel Firm , they went above and beyond for me. Anytime I would call I was able to talk to somebody. From beginning to end there were so nice.” –Melinda Mata
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
Swift action protects both health and legal rights after a violent truck crash. Follow these simple steps and you will preserve the evidence our team needs to build a strong claim.
- Call 911 and seek medical help. Police and emergency crews must document the scene and treat any injury, even when pain feels mild at first.
- Remain at the location and gather evidence. If safe, take photographs of vehicle damage, skid marks, and road debris. Record the truck driver’s name, employer, insurance, and the contact details of every witness.
- Avoid admitting fault or signing paperwork. Trucking company representatives may appear within minutes and push quick releases. Politely decline and limit conversation to basic facts for the investigating officer.
- Obtain the official crash report. The police report anchors your claim and often identifies violations of federal trucking rules.
- Contact our San Antonio truck accident lawyers immediately. We send preservation letters to secure black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records before they vanish. Early involvement lets us investigate while facts are fresh.
These actions apply whether the collision happened on Interstate Ten near the Medical Center, on Interstate Thirty Five downtown, or on Loop Four Ten by the airport. Quick medical care and prompt legal guidance give you the best chance at full recovery.
What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Large trucks rarely crash by chance. Most wrecks trace back to specific safety violations or careless decisions that could have been prevented with proper training and oversight.
Driver fatigue
Hours of Service rules limit how long a trucker can stay behind the wheel, yet tight delivery schedules still push many to drive while exhausted. Fatigue slows reactions and causes lane drift that leads to head-on or rear-end collisions.
Distracted driving
Long stretches on Interstate Ten or Loop Four Ten tempt drivers to text, adjust a GPS, or check dispatch tablets. Looking away for even three seconds at highway speed means the truck covers the length of a football field without an attentive driver.
Speeding and reckless maneuvers
A fully loaded tractor trailer needs a far longer stopping distance than a passenger car. When a driver exceeds the posted limit or tailgates, sudden braking can cause jackknifes and rollovers that sweep across multiple lanes.
Poor maintenance and mechanical failure
Worn brakes, bald tires, or faulty steering components turn a heavy rig into a runaway hazard. We often uncover service records showing companies skipped required inspections to save time or money.
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
An off-balance load makes a trailer sway, while loose materials can spill onto the road. Both situations create sudden obstacles other drivers cannot avoid and can trigger multi-vehicle pileups.
Inadequate training or negligent hiring
Trucking companies sometimes place inexperienced or unqualified drivers behind the wheel to meet demand. Lack of training in handling air-brake systems or hazardous materials greatly increases crash risk.
Understanding why a crash happened is critical because each cause points to different liable parties. We work with reconstruction experts to trace every factor, then hold drivers, carriers, maintenance contractors, and cargo shippers responsible for the harm their mistakes inflict.
Why Are Truck Accidents More Complicated Than Car Accidents?
Truck cases are more complex than standard car wreck claims. A single crash can involve a web of companies, federal regulations, and high dollar insurance that stretch far beyond the two drivers at the scene.
Multiple parties may share fault
A driver, the trucking carrier, a maintenance contractor, a cargo loader, and even the manufacturer of a faulty brake can each bear legal responsibility. We identify every liable party so the client can pursue the full value of the claim.
Federal and state rules raise the stakes
Commercial carriers must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations that require electronic logs, strict hours of service limits, and regular equipment checks. Proving a violation can turn a complicated investigation into clear evidence of negligence, but only if we secure those records before they disappear.
Severe damages invite aggressive defense
Eighteen wheeler collisions often cause spine injuries, brain trauma, or wrongful death, leading to claims worth hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Large insurers respond with seasoned adjusters whose sole task is to reduce payouts; we counter with medical experts and economists who document every loss.
Trucking companies launch rapid response teams
Within hours of a crash they send investigators to the scene and sometimes remove data from the truck engine control module, the so-called black box. By acting quickly, we preserve that electronic data, driver logs, and maintenance records before they can be altered or lost.
Jurisdiction and comparative fault add layers
A carrier based in another state may try to shift the case to a distant court, while Texas comparative negligence rules reduce recovery if the victim is found mostly at fault. Our early investigation and local court experience protect the client from venue games and unfair blame.
These factors explain why a seemingly straightforward truck collision demands specialized legal skill. We use our knowledge of both Texas law and federal trucking regulations to untangle complexity and pursue the maximum compensation available.
What Types of Truck Accident Cases Does The Patel Firm Handle?
Our team represents victims in every kind of commercial vehicle crash. Whether the wreck involved an interstate big rig or a neighborhood delivery van, we have the resources and experience to prove fault and pursue maximum compensation.
- Jackknife collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Underride crashes
- Lost cargo or hazardous material spills
- Runaway truck incidents
- Blind spot or no zone collisions
- Wide turn impacts in city streets
From common jackknifes to rare chemical spills, we know the unique evidence each scenario demands. By tailoring our investigation to the exact crash type, we strengthen every claim and push insurers to pay what our clients truly deserve.
Ready to Talk With a San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer?
You have been through enough. Let our team handle the legal burden while you focus on healing. We offer a free consultation so you can learn your rights without risk or obligation.
Contact the Patel Firm now at (210) 325 9990 or visit our office at 100 NE Interstate 410 Loop Suite 1425 San Antonio TX 78216. We answer the phone day and night and can come to your hospital room or home if travel is difficult.
We work on a contingency fee which means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you. When you are ready to seek justice and financial relief, our compassionate attorneys are here to listen and help you move forward.
