Police responded to southeast San Antonio on a recent morning and found that there had been a collision between two motorcyclists and an 18-wheeler truck. Police reported that one of the motorcyclists died on the scene, while another is being hospitalized. The truck driver, who was transporting 40,000 pounds of cacti, was not injured. Police stated that it was unclear what caused the collision or who was at fault, and the truck driver is not expected to face criminal charges.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so it can take them a long time to come to a stop, even in good conditions with perfectly functional equipment and enough time, which never seems to be the case in real life. In reality, drivers are distracted, truck drivers are overworked, fatigued from lack of sleep, and on tight deadlines, unexpected conditions often occur and we cannot always count on all of a truck’s components to function properly.
Speeding, worn out tire treads, rain, sleet, snow, and degraded road quality can decrease the amount of traction between the tires and the highway, increasing the amount of time to come to a stop, or even making it impossible to do so. Another huge factor impacting a truck’s ability to come to a timely and complete stop is the weight of the truck’s cargo. Often, trucking companies or freight companies will overload a truck in order to save money or meet a deadline. However, if a truck is overloaded, and especially if it is speeding, it will dramatically increase the risk of the truck tipping over or being unable to come to a stop, likely resulting in collisions.
I Was Injured in a Truck Accident: What are My Options?
If, as in the case above, no criminal charges are expected to be filed against the other driver responsible for your collision, you are not out of options. In fact, even if criminal charges are filed, the most they will result in is a fine, penalty or prison sentence for the responsible party. While this may bring peace of mind to the victim, it does nothing to restore them. A civil lawsuit aims to make the victim financially whole, by restoring them to the position they would have been in, had the accident never occurred. A civil personal injury lawsuit is available to you regardless of whether or not you pursue criminal charges. The burden of proof is also lower than in criminal court.
A successful personal injury lawsuit will allow you to recover all expenses related to and stemming from the injury, including the cost of past, present, and future medical care and treatment, modifications you have had to make to your home or vehicle, lost wages or lost earning potential, etc. Studies estimate that the cost of a collision with one fatality is approximately $7 million, which is a burden most families could not bear alone, nor should they have to.
Contact an Experienced San Antonio Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured or even killed in a trucking accident in the San Antonio area, it is critical that you contact an experienced Texas Truck Accident Lawyer. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers have experience representing victims of big trucking accidents and are prepared to help you. Contact the Law Offices of Eric Ramos today to schedule a free consultation. You can even complete a free case evaluation online. There is no fee until you win.