San Antonio Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyers

What is a Tractor-Trailer Truck?

There are many types of trucks you will see driving down the highway. Large semi-trucks typically come to mind; however, these trucks are often seen without attached cargo.

A tractor-trailer truck is a combination of the truck cab (tractor) and the attached trailer that carries a large cargo load, hence the name “tractor-trailer” truck.

Being hit by a semi-truck is devastating enough even without the trailer. But with tons of cargo added, an already bad situation worsens, and the results could be fatal.

Who Is Liable for Your Truck Accident in San Antonio?

Establishing liability in a San Antonio truck accident is critical. It may be the only way to recover for your damages. You might have assumed that the driver who hit you is responsible for your injuries. However, multiple parties could share fault for your accident.

The parties that could be held accountable for tractor-trailer accident injuries include:

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers may be found liable when their reckless driving causes collisions. They may also be held accountable in instances where they are operating the commercial vehicle as an independent contractor.

Cargo Loaders

Cargo loaders who fail to secure or load cargo properly can be held accountable when our investigation reveals their negligent actions.

Other Negligent Drivers

Unsafe driving can take many forms. Speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, drowsy driving, and other types of aggressive driving from other drivers are known for causing traumatic truck accidents in San Antonio.

Trucking Company or Truck Owner

Trucking companies are responsible for the actions of their truck drivers, as truck owners are responsible for the safety and maintenance of their commercial trucks.

When trucking companies fail to do their due diligence, follow federal trucking regulations, or truck owners fail to maintain the truck’s integrity, these parties can be held accountable.

Why Are Tractor-Trailer Crashes in San Antonio so Catastrophic?

Tractor-trailer accidents are far more devastating than other types of motor vehicle collisions. Common reasons why include:

• Tractor-trailers require a greater stopping distance due to their size
• Tractor-trailers are substantially heavier than traditional passenger vehicles, which make them less maneuverable
• Trucks have large blind spots, which make unsafe lane changes more common
• Unbalanced, overloaded, or unsecured cargo can make tractor-trailers significantly more dangerous
• Hazardous materials, including flammable materials or chemicals, could cause traumatic injuries in a collision

Common Causes of San Antonio Tractor Trailer Accidents

Discovering the cause of your San Antonio tractor-trailer accident determines the liable party. You might assume that a negligent truck driver caused your collision. While this may be the case, you may be surprised to find that there are many other causes of tractor-trailer accidents, such as:

• Brake failures
• Runaway trailers
• Poor road conditions
• Faulty brake lights
• Long hours causing driver fatigue
• Dangerous road conditions
• Faulty side reflectors

Texas Tractor-Trailer Accident Stats

The Texas Department of transportation releases crash and accident data annually. Some of the statistics over the last few years are especially concerning. These include:

• There were 32,562 total commercial motor vehicle traffic accidents in 2020
• There were 652 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks in 2019
• One person died every two hours and 15 minutes in a motor vehicle crash on Texas roads in 2020.