Unsafe Large Trucks on Roadways

You're driving on a San Antonio highway when a tractor-trailer passes you and a large object falls out of the truck. Perhaps a truck on the roadway blows a tire in front of you. Maybe the truck driver is operating under the influence when an accident occurs. In this and a host of other scenarios, what legal recourse do you have when the activity of unsafe large trucks on roadways causes you to have an accident? Should you consider speaking with an attorney?

During the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's 2026 International Roadcheck, inspectors conducted 54,575 commercial motor vehicle and driver inspections across North America. The reported vehicle out-of-service rate was 19 percent, and the driver out-of-service rate was 5.8 percent. These results describe the inspections conducted during the enforcement initiative, not the percentage of all trucking companies or trucks operating unsafely. CVSA International Roadcheck Results

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains information on motor carrier safety performance through its Motor Carrier Management Information System. Inspection findings can identify safety violations, but a violation does not by itself establish that a carrier caused an accident. Nationally, NHTSA reported 5,340 deaths and an estimated 161,201 injuries in crashes involving large trucks in 2024. Compared with 2023, deaths decreased 2.5 percent while estimated injuries increased 5 percent. These injury estimates cover injuries of all severities, not exclusively serious injuries. While truck accidents occur for a variety of reasons, many are preventable, and violations of safety standards can contribute to collisions.

San Antonio and Texas experience semi truck / 18 wheeler accidents. In 2024, Texas recorded 699 large trucks involved in fatal crashes, and crashes involving large trucks killed 720 people statewide. NHTSA's large-truck category includes commercial and noncommercial trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, not exclusively 18-wheelers. These figures do not establish that truck defects or truck-driver negligence caused every crash. NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts: 2024 Large Trucks

Safety violations can include defective brakes, unsafe tires, loads that exceed applicable weight limits, and failures to comply with driver qualification or drug and alcohol regulations.

Construction activity in San Antonio can bring additional truck traffic onto our roadways, but increased traffic does not by itself establish an increase in unsafe trucks. Filing a claim after a semi-truck accident can be a headache without the help of an experienced attorney. Trucking companies may have large firms representing their interests and this can result in a lengthy process especially if injuries are involved.

The aftermath of an accident with an unsafe large truck can be a complicated and stressful process, especially if injuries are involved. Trucking companies and their insurers may try to settle with you quickly, and accepting a settlement and signing a release could limit your ability to pursue additional compensation. They may secure attorneys to protect their interests in such claims, so it's important for you to have an experienced lawyer who will represent your interests. When you're injured as the result of the negligence of a semi-truck operator, receiving the compensation you deserve is far too important to leave to chance. You need a San Antonio unsafe large truck accident lawyer on your side.

The attorneys of Carabin Shaw (in San Antonio and surrounding areas) can help you if you've been injured as the result of an accident with an 18-wheeler and will work to pursue the maximum compensation available for your injuries, lost wages, disability, medical bills, and pain and suffering. You can schedule a free consultation by calling 866-216-5121.