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Large commercial vehicles carrying all sorts of goods travel through San Antonio every day on their way to destinations within the city and around the country. Most of these trucks arrive safely at their destinations, and their drivers drop off their deliveries at their designated drop-off spots without complications. Unfortunately, sometimes problems arise, and trucks get into accidents, which can lead to life-altering injuries. If you are recovering from physical and emotional injuries that you sustained in a commercial vehicle crash, you should reach out to a talented civil attorney right away. A San Antonio truck accident lawyer could help you determine the responsible party and hold them financially liable for your harm.
Why Semi-Truck Crashes Occur
Commercial vehicles crash for a wide variety of reasons. Most often, human error contributes to these large vehicles being involved in collisions with passenger cars, motorcyclists, or even pedestrians.
Driver Error
Many 18-wheeler accidents occur due to truck driver errors. Some of those mistakes are common to all drivers, such as speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and reckless or aggressive driving. Some errors are more unique to truckers. Truck drivers drive for long hours which can lead to fatigue. The federal government has enacted rules to regulate and restrict driving hours in the hopes of keeping truckers alert and preventing them from falling asleep behind the wheel. Unfortunately, some trucking companies impose overly strict deadlines and schedules on their drivers. This can cause truckers to feel pressured to drive for longer than they should, leading to unnecessary risks to other motorists on the road.
Loading Problems
Truck cargo needs to be correctly balanced and loaded. Improperly loaded cargo can fall out or cause a truck to veer off course. Overweight vehicles also put a strain on the mechanics of the truck, which can cause failures that lead to collisions.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical problems, such as tire blowouts, faulty brakes, or steering problems, can lead to devastating crashes. In such cases, the truck manufacturer could be liable for the accident. In many cases, multiple parties could share liability for a truck crash. Therefore, working with a skilled San Antonio attorney could help a claimant accurately determine all responsible parties in a semi-truck collision.
Common Injuries in 18-Wheeler Wrecks
Trucks are considerably larger than most other vehicles on the road. As a result, if they get into accidents, they cause a great deal of damage. Smaller passenger vehicles have no defense against larger and heavier commercial vehicles. Even when traveling at relatively low speeds, trucks can crush smaller vehicles. Consequently, truck accidents frequently cause devastating physical injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Back and neck trauma, ranging from minor whiplash to paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations and cuts
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
Surviving a truck wreck can also lead to lingering emotional trauma and pain. After being involved in a crash, survivors might need therapy to learn to cope with their physical injuries and overcome the emotional trauma they have endured. Treating a survivor’s physical and emotional injuries can be very costly. If a person is unable to work due to their injuries, they might also experience financial difficulties. A dedicated San Antonio lawyer could help a family assess and evaluate all of the losses they have endured from the truck wreck in order to pursue a damages award that fully compensates them. Sadly, tractor-trailer crashes often result in fatalities. A compassionate attorney could help the surviving family obtain justice for losing their loved one in a wrongful death suit.
Reach Out to a San Antonio Truck Accident Attorney
Due to their size and weight, accidents with large commercial vehicles often have heartbreaking consequences. Let a San Antonio truck accident lawyer help you obtain the compensation you are owed. Call today to get started.
