When you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer to help you after you’re injured in a truck accident, you might think that just any old motor vehicle accident lawyer in San Antonio will be fine. However, truck accidents are unique and are much different from car accidents, so you need an attorney who is experienced at handling these complex cases. Some of the factors that make truck accidents different from car accidents are:
Multiple Parties Can Be Involved
In a typical car crash, there are two parties involved: the accident victim and the at-fault driver. Determining liability is relatively straightforward. However, in San Antonio truck accident cases, various parties could be involved, including:
Truck Drivers
You might first look to a negligent truck driver. Oftentimes, the truck driver did something or failed to do something that caused the crash, such as:
- Speeding or driving too fast for the road or weather conditions
- Following too closely
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Not checking the load and mechanical safety of the truck during transport
- Drinking and driving
- Driving while distracted or tired
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies are responsible for the negligent actions of their drivers. They may also be responsible for their own forms of negligence, such as:
- Not conducting adequate background checks
- Hiring unqualified or dangerous drivers
- Failing to maintain their fleet
- Not providing adequate training
- Encouraging or requiring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules
Truck Maintenance Providers
Some trucking companies outsource maintenance to third parties. These parties may perform repairs negligently or fail to properly inspect vehicles. If these failures contribute to a crash, they can be held liable for the resulting damages.
Cargo Loaders
Some truck crashes occur because of lost loads or loads that shift during transit. This could be the fault of a third-party cargo loading company.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers can be held liable when defective products contribute to the crash.
An experienced San Antonio wrongful death attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to determine why the crash occurred and who is legally responsible.
Complex State and Federal Regulations Are at Play
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act governs the operation of commercial vehicles. It sets rules for various aspects of truck driving, including:
- Driver qualifications, licensing requirements, and required training
- Drug and alcohol testing requirements
- Maintenance standards
- Tiedowns and other methods to safely secure cargo
You will need a lawyer who is familiar with the federal and state regulations that apply to your case.
More Extensive Damages Are Involved
Car accidents are less likely to cause the severe injuries that follow truck crashes. The federal government knows this, so it requires commercial trucking companies to maintain higher liability insurance policies. As a result, insurance companies may fight harder to protect their wealth, so you’ll need a seasoned negotiator who can level the playing field and demand the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Preserving Evidence Is Key
One benefit of being involved in a crash with a truck is that the truck may have equipment that can help prove your claim. For example, it may have a black box or event data recorder that recorded information about the truck’s speed, braking, and location immediately before the crash. Onboard cameras may have also recorded key details. Electronic logging devices can provide greater insight into what the truck driver was doing leading up to the crash.
However, you will need an experienced attorney who knows how to obtain this evidence and has a network of experts who know how to interpret it.
Contact Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review
George Salinas Injury Lawyers can help if you were harmed in a truck accident. Call us today for a free consultation.