San Antonio is a bustling metropolitan center and a critical hub for freight movement, with major highways channeling heavy truck traffic daily. This activity makes the city a hotspot for serious trucking collisions.
Truck accidents are unlike ordinary crashes. They involve massive vehicles, complicated logistics, multiple potential defendants, and strict legal rules under Texas law. For victims, this means the path to compensation can be challenging without the right guidance.
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, we understand the far-reaching impact of truck accidents. As San Antonio’s Your Legal Heroes, we bring over 66 years of combined experience, more than 36,000 cases won, and $650 million in verdicts and settlements for clients across Texas. When you need strength and experience on your side, we’re ready.
Understanding the Risks and Challenges of Truck Accidents in San Antonio
When a tractor-trailer collides with a passenger car, there is rarely such a thing as a “minor” accident. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, more than 25 times the average passenger vehicle. In a collision, physics gives the advantage to the larger vehicle, often with devastating consequences.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 70% of people killed in large-truck crashes in 2023 were occupants of other vehicles. Victims frequently suffer catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe fractures, or, in the worst cases, fatalities.
San Antonio’s role as a freight hub brings heavy commercial traffic through I-10, I-35, Loop 1604, and Loop 410 every day. That volume, combined with aging infrastructure and complex interchanges, makes it one of the most accident-prone areas in Texas.
High-Risk San Antonio Corridors and Intersections
San Antonio’s most serious truck and commercial vehicle crashes tend to cluster along the city’s busiest freight routes and interchanges. While data varies by year, TxDOT crash records and local analyses consistently identify the following areas as frequent sites of collisions involving large trucks:
- I-35 Corridor: A primary freight artery through central San Antonio, where congestion and aging infrastructure contribute to elevated crash rates. Some TxDOT analyses show crash frequencies notably higher than the statewide urban average.
- I-10 Freeway: Among the city’s busiest roadways, with traffic volumes exceeding 150,000–200,000 vehicles daily on some stretches, according to TxDOT’s traffic count maps. Heavy truck use and frequent lane changes make it a recurring site of high-impact and unsecured-load collisions.
- Loop 1604: Often cited in local media as one of the most dangerous roadways in Bexar County, particularly near SH-281 and Bandera Road. Some residents have even nicknamed it “The Death Loop” because of its history of serious and fatal crashes.
- Highway 151 & Loop 410: According to local analyses of TxDOT crash data, this intersection ranks among the highest in Bexar County for total and serious-injury collisions, making it one of San Antonio’s most hazardous junctions for both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks.
Primary At-Fault Parties in Truck Accidents
Unlike ordinary car crashes, truck accidents often involve several responsible parties. Identifying each one is key to a successful outcome.
The Truck Driver
Driver negligence is a leading factor. Common causes include speeding, distracted driving, and fatigue from violating federal hours-of-service rules.
The Trucking Company
Carriers can be held liable for hiring unqualified drivers, providing inadequate training, or pressuring employees to exceed safe driving schedules.
Cargo Shippers and Loaders
Improperly loaded or unsecured freight can shift in transit, leading to rollovers or roadway debris accidents.
Manufacturers and Maintenance Providers
If a defective part, such as brakes, tires, or coupling systems caused the crash, the manufacturer or maintenance contractor may share liability.
Our attorneys act quickly to preserve black-box data, maintenance logs, and employment records that help uncover liable parties.
Compensation Available in San Antonio Truck Accident Lawsuits
A truck accident can affect every part of your life. Texas law allows you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
You can learn more about your recovery options by speaking with a San Antonio personal injury lawyer.
Common Trucking Accident Injuries
The force of a semi-truck collision often causes life-altering injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple fractures and crush injuries
- Severe burns or amputations
- Internal organ trauma or fatal injuries
Many of these are considered catastrophic injuries that require long-term medical care and financial support. Our lawyers work to ensure any settlement or verdict reflects the full scope of those needs.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in San Antonio
Taking the right steps after a crash can protect both your health and your legal claim:
- Call 911. Law enforcement, either the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) or Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, should document the scene.
- Get medical care immediately. Some injuries may not appear for hours or days.
- Document what you can. Photos, witness contacts, and vehicle positions can all help later.
- Be cautious with insurers. Adjusters aim to minimize payouts — let your lawyer handle communication.
- Contact an experienced San Antonio truck accident attorney. Quick legal action helps preserve vital evidence.
Texas Statute of Limitations
Under the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, most personal-injury and wrongful-death claims must be filed within two years of the crash date.
Missing this deadline usually means losing the right to recover damages. Acting promptly also allows your attorney to secure records and witness statements while the evidence is fresh.
Why You Should Hire a San Antonio Truck Accident Attorney
Trucking companies and insurers act fast to protect their interests — and you deserve a team that moves just as quickly to protect yours.
Our attorneys investigate aggressively, collecting evidence such as:
- Black-box data that shows speed, braking, and hours on duty
- Driver qualification and training files
- Maintenance and inspection reports
We negotiate from a position of strength and are fully prepared to take cases to trial when insurers refuse to deal fairly.
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, you gain steady advocates who understand both the legal system and the human cost of serious injuries. We combine empathy with action to become Your Legal Heroes, working to make things right.
Let Us Handle Your San Antonio Trucking Accident Claim
If a negligent driver or company caused your injuries, you have the right to demand accountability. Our firm will investigate, file your claim, and pursue the maximum recovery allowed by Texas law.
Call (713) 766-0341 or contact us online for a FREE consultation with a San Antonio personal injury lawyer.
With D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, you’ll have experienced attorneys who care deeply about your recovery — steady advocates committed to protecting your future.
