Harlandale Truck Accident Lawyer
Tough representation when truck drivers and truck companies cause accidents, injuries, and fatalities
Trucks of all shapes and sizes drive throughout Harlandale and San Antonio. Larger tractor-trailers, semis, and rigs use federal and state highways. Local delivery trucks, pickup trucks, and SUVs regularly use the I-410 and local roads (like Genevieve Drive, Apollo Street, and Pleasanton Road) to deliver products from Amazon, FedEx, UPS, Walmart, and more.
At Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney, we have decades of experience holding truck drivers and truck companies accountable when they prioritize their profits over your safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do clients choose Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney
- What types of truck accidents does your lawyer handle?
- Why do truck accidents happen in Harlandale?
- What types of injuries do truck accidents cause?
- What steps should I take if I’m in a truck accident in Harlandale?
- Who is liable for truck accidents?
- What compensation can I receive if I’m in a truck accident in Harlandale?
- What’s the time limit for filing a truck accident claim in Texas?
- Do you have a Harlandale truck accident lawyer near me?
Why do clients choose Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney
Many of our clients have provided testimonials about how much they appreciate our representation. Many insurance companies and lawyers respect us for our preparation, ability to anticipate defense arguments, and our record of success.
Pat Maloney, Jr., is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers multiple times. He also belongs to the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys and the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America.
At Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney, we treat every client like family. We work with a range of liability experts and medical professionals to build strong cases and pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
Our record of truck accident recoveries includes:
- $8 million, when an 18-wheeler took the life of a family member.
- $6 million, when a truck accident caused our client’s severe injuries.
- $3.1 million, when injuries from a truck accident required our client to undergo back and neck surgery.
Each case is different, and past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome, but these results are indicative of how hard we fight for our clients.
What types of truck accidents does your lawyer handle?
At Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney, we handle all types of truck accidents. Many truck accidents involve multiple defendants, complex federal and state laws, and serious injuries or fatalities.
We can help you if you’ve been in any type of truck accident, including the following:
- Jackknife accidents. These accidents usually occur when a tractor and a trailer travel at different speeds or in different directions. If the driver loses control, then the tractor and trailer can fold in on each other like the blades of a knife.
- Rollover accidents. Trucks have a different center of gravity due to their dimensions and their cargo, making truck rollovers more likely than car rollovers.
- Head-on accidents. These accidents are terrifying. If a driver of another vehicle can’t get out of the way of a truck coming right towards them, the accident is likely to be deadly or cause catastrophic injuries.
- Wide turn accidents. Large trucks need more room (and may need to use another lane of travel) to complete their turns.
- Blind-spot accidents. Trucks have poor sight lines because of their height and the lack of windows. We hold truck drivers and companies accountable when they fail to use proper caution. Truck drivers need to be especially careful of their blind spots when changing lanes or turning.
- Rear-end accidents. Truck drivers who speed, tailgate, or drive while distracted are likely to ram into the back of your car, causing severe injuries.
- Broadside/T-bone accidents. These crashes happen when one vehicle (such as a truck) drives into the side of another vehicle.
- Underride accidents. Small cars can easily slide under a tall truck in the event of an accident. For this reason, most trailers and semitrailers must have rear impact guards.
- Backing-out accidents. Truck drivers need to use caution when backing out from loading docks and the places where they make their deliveries.
- All other types of truck accidents.
Why do truck accidents happen in Harlandale?
In 2023, there were 5,472 people killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Some of the major causes of truck accidents are:
- Driver impairment. Drivers who operate their trucks under the influence of alcohol or drugs are a danger to everyone on the road. Commercial truck drivers operating a CMV can lose their license if they have a blood alcohol content level of .04 or higher.
- Driver distraction. Driving a truck can be a lonely job. That’s no excuse for texting, using a mobile phone, eating, or drinking while driving. Truck drivers should use GPS devices that don’t require looking at the device (such as audio GPS devices).
- Driver fatigue. The FMCSA regulates how many hours drivers can operate their trucks before they need to stop and get enough rest. The FMCSA requires that truck drivers (and companies) keep electronic logging devices (ELDs) that record when their trucks are in operation.
- Moving cargo and truck overloads. If cargo moves during transit, a truck driver can lose control of their truck. If cargo spills from the truck, everyone near the truck can be injured or killed while trying to avoid the spilled cargo.
- A lack of training. Our Harlandale truck accident lawyer holds trucking companies liable for failing to vet their drivers and failing to educate their drivers about truck equipment safety and truck driving safety.
- Defective truck parts. We file product liability lawsuits if defective tires, brakes, hydraulic systems, and other truck parts cause a truck accident.
- Faulty inspections and repairs. Truck companies and drivers should regularly inspect their trucks before each trip and as required by federal and Texas law.
- Improper road design. The directions for which lanes to use should be clear. The roads should be built to properly handle 80,000-pound trucks.
What types of injuries do truck accidents cause?
At Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney, our personal injury lawyer handles all kinds of catastrophic, permanent, and serious injuries, including:
- Concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and other types of head trauma
- Paralysis (full and partial) and other types of spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Severe burns
- Simple, complex, compound, and other types of fractures/broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Lung, kidney, spleen, and other types of organ damage
- Tissue, nerve, and muscle damage
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain
- Mental anguish
- Death
What steps should I take if I’m in a truck accident in Harlandale?
The main things you should do are the following:
- Focus on your health. Severe injury victims often rely on the police to arrange for emergency medical transport to the nearest hospital. An early medical review helps establish the diagnosis of your injuries and what treatments you need. An early trip to a medical facility also prevents insurance companies from arguing that your injuries aren’t that serious because you waited to seek medical help.
- Contact the police. When you call 911, the police can secure the accident site. They may call in state or federal officials because trucks are so large, cause severe injuries, and there are numerous truck equipment and safety regulations. The police will also obtain the drivers’ contact details, registration, and insurance information. They’ll conduct an initial investigation and file a police report.
- Notify your insurance company. Your insurance company has the right to know about the accident.
- Contact our law firm. We can explain your rights, answer your questions, and guide you through each step of your claim.
Who is liable for truck accidents?
Our Harlandale personal injury and wrongful death lawyer files claims against everyone liable for your truck accidents, including:
- Truck drivers
- Truck fleet companies and other truck owners
- The truck driver’s employer
- The companies involved in the shipping, loading, and unloading of the truck
- Manufacturers of defective truck parts
- A licensed seller of alcohol who serves an obviously intoxicated patron, who later causes a truck accident due to their intoxication
- Responsible state, county, and local governmental agencies and entities
What compensation can I receive if I’m in a truck accident in Harlandale?
Our Harlandale truck accident lawyers work with your doctors to verify your diagnosis and review what continued medical care you’ll need. We can review how your injuries affect every aspect of your life. In addition, we can work with your employer and other professionals to verify further damages.
In personal injury cases, we can demand compensation for all your current and future damages, including:
- Your medical bills
- Your lost income, including wages, business income, benefits, and permanent disability compensation
- Every type of physical and emotional trauma
- The damage to your vehicle
- Any scarring or disfigurement
- The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
- The loss of bodily function
- The loss of consortium (marital companionship)
Our Harlandale truck accident attorney seeks the following wrongful death damages if a truck accident is fatal:
- The burial and funeral expenses
- Any outstanding medical bills caused by the truck accident
- The loss of financial support, such as income and inheritance
- The loss of personal support, such as guidance and companionship
- The mental anguish and grief of the family members
- The value of the household services that your loved one would have performed
We may also seek exemplary damages if there is clear and convincing evidence of fraud, malice, or gross negligence.
What’s the time limit for filing a truck accident claim in Texas?
Generally, truck accident victims and the families of loved ones killed in a truck accident must file their claim within two years from the date of the truck accident. Some shorter time limits may apply.
Do you have a Harlandale truck accident lawyer near me?
Yes. We have an office at 239 E Commerce St. in San Antonio, Texas. We also consult with clients by phone and through online video. If your injuries make traveling too difficult, we can make arrangements to meet with you at your home or another location.
We understand how scary truck accidents and litigation are. We can guide you calmly and clearly through the claims process.
Talk with our Harlandale truck accident attorney today
At Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney, we handle the tough cases other law firms won’t take. While many truck accident cases settle, we’re always ready to try your case before a local judge and jury. Call us today or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis.