What Happens If You Get Into An Accident With A Semi-Truck?

A crash with a semi-truck is different from a fender-bender on Loop 1604. The impact is stronger, the injuries can be life changing, and the legal steps move fast. Many families in San Antonio learn this the hard way on I-35, I-10, or Highway 90. The truck driver may walk away. The person in the smaller car usually does not. And while doctors handle the physical pain, questions about medical bills, missed work, and insurance pressure start piling up.

This guide walks through what happens after a semi-truck wreck in San Antonio, what to do from day one, how insurance and federal rules affect your claim, and why talking with a semi-truck accident lawyer early can shape the outcome. The goal is simple: help you protect your health, your case, and your options.

First hours after the crash: safety, proof, and medical care

Right after a semi-truck collision, the scene is often chaotic. Traffic backs up. Cargo may spill. Police and fire units secure the area. In those moments, simple steps protect your well-being and your claim later.

If it is safe, move to a secure spot and call 911. Ask for police and EMS. Even if you feel “okay,” get checked. Adrenaline hides pain. Internal injuries, concussions, and soft https://www.carabinshaw.com/semi-truck-accidents-18-wheeler-accidents.html tissue damage often show up hours later. ER records and early imaging can connect your symptoms to the crash, which matters when an insurer questions causation.

If you can, take photos and short videos: the truck’s position, skid marks, damage to both vehicles, license plates, DOT numbers on the tractor and trailer, any company logos, and road conditions. Weather on Loop 410, a lane closure near the Pearl, or debris near a construction zone can explain how the wreck happened. Get names and phone numbers for witnesses. People move on fast and become hard to find.

Do not argue with the driver. Do not guess about fault. Share basic information with police, then focus on medical care. Politely decline any on-the-spot statements to an insurance adjuster. A short, incomplete statement can box you in before you know the full story.

Why semi-truck cases are different in Texas

Truck cases turn on rules that do not apply to regular car crashes. Commercial trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Drivers must follow federal hours-of-service limits, perform pre-trip inspections, and document rest breaks. Motor carriers must maintain equipment, train drivers, and review safety records. These extra layers create extra evidence, and they create extra ways the company can be liable.

San Antonio families often face multiple parties at once. The driver may be at fault for speeding or distraction on I-35 near Downtown. The motor carrier may be at fault for pushing delivery schedules that cause fatigue. A maintenance contractor may be at fault for worn brakes. A loading company may be at fault for a shifted load that made the trailer hard to control. The more parties involved, the more insurance policies may exist.

That sounds good for recovery, but it also means a fast, hard defense. Trucking insurers move early. They may send rapid response teams to the scene. They may pull the tractor-trailer to a storage lot and start repairs. Preserving proof fast is critical.

Common causes seen on San Antonio roads

Speeding through the I-10 interchange, fatigue on long hauls through Bexar County, and unsafe lane changes near Stone Oak come up again and again. Rear-end collisions during stop-and-go traffic on I-35, wide-turn squeezes in tight corridors near Southtown, and rollovers linked to high winds on open stretches west of San Antonio also appear. In many cases, cell phone use or in-cab device distraction shows up in the data.

Weather plays a role. Sudden downpours can turn US-281 slick. Late-night glare and poor lighting near construction zones can reduce reaction time. These details matter because they guide where to look for proof and who might share fault.

The proof that can win a truck case

Truck cases rely on specific records. Many of these exist only for a short window unless someone demands they be kept. Here is where a semi-truck accident lawyer focuses early.

• Electronic Logging Device data showing driving hours and breaks
• The truck’s event data recorder, which captures speed, braking, and throttle
• Driver qualification file, including training, prior violations, and drug test history
• Maintenance and inspection logs for the tractor and trailer
• Dispatch records, trip sheets, and delivery schedules
• Bill of lading and loading records
• Company policies on fatigue, phone use, and safety audits

Surveillance cameras near interchanges, dash cams from ride shares, and even Ring cameras on nearby homes can fill gaps. In dense areas like Alamo Heights or the Medical Center, cameras often catch angles that police photos miss. Early letters to preserve evidence help prevent loss or deletion.

Medical care and the path of recovery

Serious truck crashes bring orthopedic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal harm. Some clients feel fine after a crash on Monday and cannot turn their neck by Wednesday. Others leave the scene in an ambulance and face surgery the next day. Consistent care helps both the healing and the case.

Follow-up with your primary doctor or an urgent care provider in San Antonio within 24 to 48 hours. Explain that you were hit by a semi-truck. Ask for referrals that fit your symptoms, whether that means imaging, neurology, pain management, or physical therapy. Keep a simple daily log of pain, sleep disruption, missed work, and activities you can no longer do. Notes about lifting kids, yard work in Terrell Hills, or missed shifts at a job on the River Walk paint a real picture of loss.

Health insurance, MedPay, or letters of protection may fund care while the claim moves. A lawyer can explain options and coordinate with providers who accept deferred payment from the case, when appropriate under Texas law. The point is to get care now and avoid gaps that insurers use to argue your injuries came from something else.

Who pays after a semi-truck crash in Texas

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can recover money if you are 50 percent or less at fault. Your recovery reduces by your percentage of fault. Trucking insurers often claim the car driver braked too hard, drifted into a blind spot, or failed to avoid a hazard. Clear proof fights these claims.

Damages in a truck case can include medical bills, future medical needs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain, physical impairment, and mental anguish. In certain cases involving gross negligence, Texas law allows punitive damages meant to punish extreme conduct. Those are rare and require strong proof.

Coverage often stacks from several policies: the driver, the motor carrier, a freight broker, or a shipper. Policy limits for motor carriers are higher than for regular cars, often starting at $750,000 and rising into the millions, depending on cargo and routes. Umbrella policies can add layers. Finding all policies is part of the job.

The insurer’s playbook and how to respond

Adjusters speak in a calm tone and ask for a quick recorded statement. They may say they need medical records “to verify injuries” and ask for a broad release. They may offer a small check within days. The early offer looks helpful when bills pile up, but it rarely reflects the full loss.

A simple rule helps: share only the basics about the crash and your vehicle, then stop. Decline a recorded statement until you have counsel. Do not sign blanket medical releases that open old records unrelated to the wreck. Send bills to your health insurer or hold them for the injury claim. And document every call or message.

Timeline of a San Antonio semi-truck claim

The process moves in stages. Texas gives two years from the crash to file suit in most injury cases, but waiting slows everything. Truck evidence can be lost within weeks. Early steps focus on preservation and proof gathering, then on medical stability, then on resolution.

• Weeks 1 to 4: medical care, scene proof, vehicle inspection, preservation letters to the motor carrier and any third parties, request for police crash report
• Months 1 to 6: deeper records requests, ELD and black box data, witness interviews, review of medical progress, early negotiations if liability is clear
• Months 6 to 12: if injuries are still evolving, continue treatment and document progress; mediation may occur if the case is ready
• Year 1 and beyond: file suit if needed, conduct depositions, exchange expert reports on trucking standards, biomechanics, or accident reconstruction

Some cases resolve within six to nine months. Others need more time, especially with surgeries or disputed fault. A semi-truck accident lawyer can explain the best pace for your situation.

What a semi-truck accident lawyer actually does

The work is hands-on and detail driven. A lawyer identifies all liable parties, sends spoliation letters to preserve ELD and camera data, and inspects the tractor-trailer before repairs. They hire experts who understand braking systems, stopping distances on wet pavement near Mission San Jose, and how loading affects stability. They track down dispatch logs that show a driver pushed past safe hours. They review phone records. They build a clear story with facts that hold up in court.

On the medical side, they coordinate with your doctors to document diagnoses, future care, and the link to the crash. On the financial side, they account for wage loss, overtime loss, and benefits, and they value the non-economic harm that changes daily life. Negotiations start when the file is strong, not when it is thin. If the insurer will not pay fair value, filing suit signals you are serious.

Most people do not want a lawsuit. They want fair help to rebuild. A focused case with strong proof often settles, because the risk of trial pushes the carrier to pay attention. But if trial becomes necessary, early work on experts and evidence positions you well.

San Antonio specifics that matter

Local context shapes results. Construction zones along I-35 and US-281 create pinch points and sudden lane shifts. Out-of-town truckers miss signage and cut across lanes near the Quarry. Freight traffic into the Port San Antonio area adds heavy rigs to local streets. Rear-end truck crashes on wet mornings are common on Loop 410 near the airport. These patterns help explain why a crash happened and what duty the driver and carrier had in that stretch of road.

Medical care options also shape the path. Level I trauma centers handle the most severe injuries, and follow-up often moves to clinics in the Medical Center area. Many clients cannot drive long distances during recovery. A local team can arrange mobile notaries, remote signatures, and flexible visits, so healing stays on track while the case advances.

How fault gets proven when stories differ

Drivers often give different versions. One says the car cut in front. The other says the truck drifted over the line. Physical proof breaks the tie. Skid marks, yaw marks, debris fields, crush patterns, and black box timing tell a story. Weather data from the nearest station can show road temperature and rainfall at the minute of impact. Phone records can place a call or text within seconds. Cameras at nearby ramps or businesses can show the lane positions before impact.

In a sideswipe on I-10, for example, a mirror strike will leave transfer paint and streaks at a specific height that match a tractor. The angle of scrape can show which vehicle moved into which lane. In a rear-end crash, brake light filament analysis can show whether lights were on at the moment of impact. These are small details, but they carry weight with adjusters, mediators, and juries.

What to do in the days after the crash

Here is a short checklist many clients find helpful:

• Get the police crash report number from SAPD or DPS and request the report as soon as it is available.
• Tell your own auto insurer you were involved in a crash, but decline to give a recorded statement about injuries until you have counsel.
• Keep a folder with medical bills, receipts, and a mileage log for appointments around San Antonio.
• Photograph bruises, stitches, casts, and visible swelling every few days.
• Call a semi-truck accident lawyer for a free consultation to discuss preservation of proof and next steps.

Small, steady steps like these protect your case while you focus on recovery.

What a fair settlement can include

A fair outcome accounts for the full arc of harm, not just the ER bill. That includes accident-related medical expenses, ongoing therapy, injections or surgery, and future care estimates. It includes lost wages during recovery, reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to the same job, and household services you now have to pay for, like lawn care or childcare you once handled. It also includes human losses: pain, loss of mobility, sleep disruption, anxiety while driving near large trucks, and loss of enjoyment of daily life.

If a family loses a loved one in a semi-truck crash, Texas wrongful death and survival laws control what can be claimed and who can bring the claim. Those cases call for careful handling and clear guidance on both the legal and personal sides.

Why calling sooner helps, even if you are unsure

Many people wait because they are overwhelmed or hope the insurer “does the right thing.” Waiting risks losing key proof. ELD data cycles. Video gets overwritten. The tractor gets repaired. Skid marks fade within days on busy corridors near Downtown. A short call with a semi-truck accident lawyer can set preservation in motion. It also reduces the noise, since your lawyer handles insurer calls and paperwork while you heal.

And if you feel unsure whether you have a case, that is normal. Talk it through. Details like a delivery deadline, a missed rest break, or a past brake issue can shift a case from uncertain to strong. Early advice often changes the path.

Choosing a lawyer in San Antonio for a semi-truck case

Experience with truck regulations and local courts matters. So does the ability to move fast on preservation, hire the right experts, and present clear proof. Look for a firm that handles semi-truck claims across Bexar County and the surrounding areas, knows the common crash corridors, and has the resources to take a case to trial if needed. Ask how they handle communication, medical coordination, and lien resolution. Clear answers now reduce stress later.

Fees are typically contingency-based, meaning you pay nothing upfront and the fee comes from the recovery. Clarify costs, how litigation expenses work, and what happens if the case does not recover. Transparency builds trust.

Ready to talk about your San Antonio truck crash?

If a semi-truck hit you or someone you love on I-35, I-10, Loop 410, or a neighborhood street in San Antonio, early guidance can protect your health and your case. A focused semi-truck accident lawyer can secure critical proof, deal with aggressive insurers, and pursue full, fair compensation. Call to schedule a free consultation. Meet by phone, video, or in person. Get clear next steps, without pressure.

Your recovery starts with one conversation.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice; consult with experienced lawyers for personalized guidance Attorney Advertising: The information contained on this page does not create an attorney-client relationship nor should any information be considered legal advice as it is intended to provide general information only. Prior case results do not guarantee a similar outcome.