Commercial Vehicle Crashes in Seguin, TX - How Driver Negligence Affects Your Compensation

Located east of San Antonio, Seguin offers easy access to I-10 and SH-130, offering truckers in the area a less congested alternative to I-35. Unfortunately, the increased number of trucks puts other motorists at increased risk of being involved in a commercial vehicle crash. Seguin’s Guadalupe County had over 420 accidents involving commercial trucks in 2024 alone.

Commercial truck crashes often lead to devastating injuries. The Seguin TX injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw help accident victims restore their lives and hold negligent drivers accountable for the damage they cause. Our team is available 24/7 to schedule free consultations in English or Spanish. Call us toll-free now at 800-862-1260.

Truck drivers have a duty of care to drive safely and obey all traffic laws. The size and weight of their vehicles can do substantial damage when they breach their duty of care, and they can be liable for those damages. Examples of trucker negligence may include:

• Driving while distracted
• Driving under the influence
• Drowsy driving
• Careless or aggressive driving
• Failing to obey traffic laws

Proving negligence requires evidence, such as accident scene photos, police reports, and eyewitness statements. Your lawyer can also access the black box data from the truck to obtain driving details, such as speed, steering, and braking, to determine fault.

Trucking companies also have a duty of care to maintain their trucks and hire qualified drivers. Breaches of duty could include:

• Hiring unqualified drivers or hiring without adequate background checks
• Failing to keep up with maintenance requirements on all vehicles
• Pushing drivers to skip breaks or drive excessive hours

Trucking companies may also be held vicariously liable for their drivers, which means they may automatically assume some liability for driver negligence. However, large companies can also make it difficult for victims to gather the necessary evidence to hold the trucking company liable.

Because big rig crashes can be complex and challenging for accident victims, it is critical to enlist an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your case. Your legal professionals know how to preserve and collect evidence while protecting you from inadvertently doing or saying anything that could harm your claim.

Your legal team is crucial for ensuring you receive all the damages you are entitled to in your truck crash claim. First, they will gather a variety of evidence to strengthen your case, such as:

• Driver logs
• Maintenance records
• Driver’s employment records

Because trucking companies must follow strict federal and state laws, your lawyer will look specifically for violations of these laws during the investigation to hold the company accountable.

The accident investigation may uncover additional parties that contributed to the accident, such as cargo loaders and manufacturers of vehicle parts. Texas operates under the proportionate responsibility rule, which allows victims to seek damages from all at-fault parties based on their percentage of fault in the accident.

Truck accident compensation may include different types of damages, including:

Economic damages include lost wages, medical bills, and property damage. They are usually documented with receipts, bills, and estimates.

Non-economic damages compensate you for the personal impact the accident had on your life. It might include losses like emotional distress, permanent disfigurement, and loss of consortium.

Punitive damages are rare, but may be awarded if the at-fault party’s recklessness or extreme negligence led to the accident. These damages aim to punish the responsible party for their actions and deter similar behavior in the future.

Big rig crashes can cause severe injuries that require extensive treatment and rehabilitation. Victims should be able to focus on their recovery, rather than the legal process. Our attorneys at Carabin Shaw handle the legal details for you, as our client reviews attest. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing until you receive your settlement. Call us now at 800-862-1260.

For more information:

• TX DoT
• Cornell Law
• Texas Statutes 33