San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyers

How Much is a Truck Accident Case Worth?

Because many truck accidents cause serious, sometimes fatal, injuries, truck crash cases are often worth more than injury claims for other types of accidents.

You should strongly consider discussing your claim with an attorney with significant experience in motor vehicle accident cases. The lawyers at Lorenz & Lorenz have been helping crash victims for 20 years and are prepared to pursue full compensation for your damages, which may include:

• Past and future pain and suffering
• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost income
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Property damage
• And more

Every case is different, so it would be in your best interest to discuss your claim with one of our licensed attorneys as soon as possible. In a free consultation, we can give you a better idea of the value of your claim.

Who May be Liable for My Injuries?

Many truck accidents are caused by negligent drivers. However, other parties may also share liability for a crash.

When assessing liability, it is important to determine who owns the truck. Sometimes, the truck is owned by the driver and other times, a trucking company owns it. There are three common classifications of truck drivers when it comes to ownership of the truck:

• Owner-operator – The driver owns the truck, but likely leases it out to a trucking company or is an independent contractor.
• Company driver – The truck driver works for a company that has hired him or her to drive a company-owned truck.
• Independent owner-operator – This is an independent driver who may own one or more trucks for transporting goods.

Depending on their relationship with drivers, trucking companies may share some amount of fault for a crash. Other liable parties may include:

• The company that owns the trailer
• Cargo-loading company
• The company responsible for the maintenance of the trailer or cab

Another factor to consider when determining liability is if the accident was caused by a manufacturer malfunction such as brake failure, power steering errors, or another mechanical error.

The San Antonio truck accident lawyers at Lorenz & Lorenz are committed to holding all liable parties accountable and securing maximum compensation for victims.

Insurance Policies for Commercial Vehicles in Texas

Commercial truck crashes are often extremely dangerous, which is why trucking companies are required to carry large insurance policies to pay for damages. Often, victims of these crashes seek compensation from liability insurance policies.

Texas has the following liability insurance requirements for commercial trucks transporting goods inside state lines:

• $300,000 if transporting household goods and the truck weighs 26,000 pounds or less
• $500,000 if transporting household goods and the truck weighs more than 26,000 pounds
• $1,000,000 if transporting oil
• $5,000,000 if transporting hazardous materials and the vehicle weighs more than 10,001 pounds

Federal liability insurance requirements, set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), are slightly different. These apply when a truck crosses state lines to transport goods:

• $300,000 for vehicles that weigh less than 10,001 pounds and carry non-hazardous freight
• $750,000-$5,000,000 for vehicles that weigh more than 10,001 pounds; the required amount varies based on what the truck is carrying

Liability insurance is not the only type of insurance that may come into play. Other types of insurance that may be involved in a truck crash claim include:

• Bobtail insurance
• Trailer interchange
• Umbrella policies

What Do You Do if the Insurance Company Contacts You?

After a truck accident, the insurance company will likely attempt to contact you and offer a settlement or ask for a statement.

You need to be cautious about what you tell the insurance company. They are looking for reasons to devalue or even deny your claim. They may ask probing questions designed to get you to downplay the severity of your injuries. You could inadvertently say something that sounds like an admission of fault.

That is why, when it comes to the insurance company, the less said by the victim, the better. You can decline to answer questions until you have spoken with your attorney. If you hire a lawyer, he or she can deal with the insurance company on your behalf to protect your claim. The attorneys at Lorenz & Lorenz have dealt with many insurance companies and know how to protect the full value of a claim.

Chances are the insurance company’s initial offer to you is nowhere near the full value of your claim. That is why talking to a licensed attorney is so important.

Trucking Regulations That May Impact Your Case

There are both state and federal laws regulating large trucks and the commercial vehicle industry. The regulations are meant to help prevent accidents that could result in serious injuries, extensive property damage, and fatalities.

Some of the rules include requiring drivers to possess a commercial driver’s license and obtain permits for transporting certain materials. Other regulations cover:

• Drug and alcohol testing, including pre-employment testing and post-accident testing
• Limits on driving time
• Fitness standards
• Vehicle maintenance requirements
• Cargo inspections
• And more

Trucking companies and drivers who violate these regulations could greatly increase the risk of a crash. The San Antonio truck accident lawyers at Lorenz & Lorenz have extensive knowledge of the regulations that are often violated. We know how to prove regulations were violated and how to link those violations to a crash. We will use all relevant data available, including evidence from your injuries, the accident scene, driving logs, and police records, to build you a powerful claim.

Preserving Your Claim After an Accident

Once you call 9-1-1 after a truck accident, it is important to try to gather evidence at the scene. For example, taking pictures of the scene could help your attorney determine how the crash happened. Talking to witnesses can also be helpful. However, you should only do these things if it is safe, and you will not be aggravating your injuries.

You should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. You do not want there to be a significant gap in time between the crash and when you saw a doctor. The at-fault party could use this against you to attack your credibility.

Make sure to keep track of any reports of medical expenses, records, or bills associated with your injuries, including those associated with physical therapy and chiropractic visits.

It is important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Truck accident cases are often complex, and you need experienced legal help to recover the compensation you need for current and future damages.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Despite laws against reckless driving, it still causes many trucking accidents. Examples of reckless driving that may result in truck crashes include:

• Drowsy driving (truck driver fatigue)
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Speeding
• Tailgating

Sometimes, accidents happen because the cargo was loaded improperly. Overloading a truck or failing to properly secure cargo can make trucks more difficult to maneuver. This can increase the risk of jackknife accidents or the driver losing control of the vehicle, leading to serious semi-truck accidents.

If negligence was involved, you may have a case.