Eighteen-Wheeler Crash Lawyer San Antonio

If you are hit by an 18-wheeler on I-35, I-10, Loop 410, Loop 1604, or any South Texas highway: call 911, get medical care, photograph the scene and the truck’s company name and DOT number, and get witness contact information. Do not give the trucking company’s insurer a recorded statement before talking with a lawyer.

Why Truck Crash Cases Are Different

Crashes with tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles often cause serious injuries because of the size and weight of the trucks. These cases also involve more parties and more rules than a typical car crash. Responsibility may fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, the owner of the trailer, or a maintenance contractor. Federal safety regulations also apply to most commercial trucks.

Caquias Law Group, PLLC represents people injured in truck crashes in San Antonio, Harlingen, and across South Texas, including on I-37, US-281, I-69E, and US-83.

Federal Trucking Rules That Can Matter in Your Case

• Hours-of-service limits. Under federal rules, a property-carrying truck driver may drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, and must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving (49 C.F.R. § 395.3).
• Electronic logs. Most interstate drivers record their hours on an electronic logging device (ELD). Trucking companies generally must keep drivers’ records of duty status and supporting documents for six months (49 C.F.R. § 395.8(k)(1)), so it helps to act early.
• Maintenance and inspection. Brakes, tires, lights, and cargo securement are subject to federal inspection and maintenance requirements.

Evidence We Work to Preserve

Some of the most important evidence in a truck crash belongs to the trucking company and may not be kept forever. Caquias Law Group, PLLC can send a written request to preserve:

• ELD and driver log data
• Engine control module (“black box”) data, such as speed and braking
• Dashcam and in-cab camera video
• Dispatch records, bills of lading, and fuel receipts
• Maintenance and inspection records
• The driver’s qualification and drug and alcohol testing records

Common Causes of Truck Crashes

• Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
• Speeding or following too closely
• Distracted driving, including phone use
• Brake, tire, or other equipment failures
• Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
• Unsafe lane changes and wide turns
• Impaired driving