Devastated by a Truck Accident on I-35 or I-10 in San Antonio? We Know These Roads and How to Fight for You.

The moment a massive 18-wheeler collides with your vehicle is one of sheer terror. The aftermath is often catastrophic—life-altering injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and a complex legal landscape dominated by powerful trucking companies and their insurers. In San Antonio, where major highways like the I-35 “NAFTA Highway” and I-10 are teeming with commercial traffic, these high-stakes accidents are, tragically, a daily occurrence.

At Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we are not just another personal injury firm. We are dedicated San Antonio truck accident lawyers with a deep, specialized focus on the unique complexities of commercial trucking litigation. We understand the federal regulations, the corporate tactics, and the devastating physics at play when an 80,000-pound big rig collides with a passenger vehicle. Our mission is simple: to provide the relentless, expert advocacy necessary to secure full and fair compensation for victims and families whose lives have been shattered by negligence on our roads.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different: A Fight Against Corporate Negligence

A truck accident case is fundamentally different from a standard car accident claim. You are not merely dealing with another driver; you are up against a well-funded trucking corporation with a legal team dedicated to protecting its bottom line. The stakes are higher, the injuries are more severe, and the legal strategy must be meticulously detailed from day one.

The key lies in proving corporate negligence. Often, the crash is not merely the driver’s error, but the direct result of a company’s conscious decisions to cut corners on safety. Our legal team is trained to look beyond the wheel to uncover the systemic failures that lead to disaster:

• Violations of Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations: Driving while fatigued is a leading cause of truck crashes. We obtain Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data and company records to prove a driver was pushed beyond legal driving limits.
• Negligent Hiring & Inadequate Training: Companies have a duty to hire qualified drivers and train them properly. We investigate a driver’s history and the company’s hiring practices for red flags.
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and defective steering components are often the result of skipped maintenance to save money. We demand inspection and maintenance records.
• Unrealistic Schedules & Pressure to Deliver: Corporate policies that prioritize deadlines over safety create an environment where drivers feel compelled to speed or drive while tired.

San Antonio’s Dangerous Corridors: We Know the Highways Where You Were Hurt

Our local expertise is not abstract—it is grounded in the specific, dangerous realities of San Antonio’s commercial roadways. We have represented clients injured on every major artery, giving us intimate knowledge of the traffic patterns, common causes of crashes, and the corporate entities that operate there.

• Interstate 35 – The “NAFTA Highway”: As one of the busiest freight corridors in North America, I-35 is a high-risk zone for catastrophic accidents. The intense congestion, constant merging near downtown and the Southside, and pressure on drivers to meet tight port and warehouse schedules create a perfect storm for collisions. We know how to investigate crashes at notorious interchanges like I-35 and I-410, I-35 and I-10, and the constantly changing construction zones.
• Interstate 10: Stretching east to west with heavy port traffic from Houston and industrial traffic from the Eagle Ford Shale region, I-10 sees a high volume of long-haul and oil field-related trucking. High speeds and driver fatigue on this long, straight stretch lead to severe rollovers and rear-end collisions.
• Interstate 410 (Loop 410) & Loop 1604: These vital beltways around the city are critical for local freight distribution. The frequent exits, high speeds, and mixing of local passenger traffic with large commercial vehicles result in complex intersection-related accidents and dangerous merging incidents.
• U.S. Highways 90, 87, and 281: These vital routes for regional and agricultural transport see their share of serious accidents, often involving loaded flatbeds, tankers, and livestock carriers.

Common Types of Truck Accidents We Handle

The sheer size and weight of a commercial truck can cause unique and devastating collision scenarios:

• Underride Accidents: When a passenger vehicle slides beneath the side or rear of a trailer. These are often fatal, as the car’s passenger compartment is sheared off. We aggressively pursue claims when inadequate trailer guards or missing reflective tape contributed to the crash.
• Rollover Accidents: Caused by high speeds, improperly secured loads, or taking a turn too sharply. A rolling truck can crush nearby vehicles and spill hazardous cargo.
• Jackknife Accidents: When the trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic and leading to multi-vehicle pileups.
• Wide Turn Accidents: When a truck making a right turn swings left first or cannot stay in its lane, crushing vehicles in adjacent lanes.
• Lost Load & Cargo Shift Accidents: Debris or an unsecured load falling from a truck creates immediate road hazards, causing other drivers to swerve or be struck directly.
• Tire Blowout Accidents: A failing truck tire can send deadly rubber shrapnel through windshields or cause the driver to lose control.

The Critical, Immediate Steps After a San Antonio Truck Accident

Your actions in the immediate aftermath can profoundly impact your safety and the strength of your future claim:

1. Ensure Safety & Call 911: If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic and active hazards. Call 911 immediately. A serious truck accident requires police and medical response. A Texas Peace Officer’s crash report is an essential first document.
2. Document the Scene Extensively: Use your phone to take photos and video of: vehicle positions, all damage, license plates and DOT numbers on the truck, skid marks, cargo spilled, and the driver’s condition. If there are witnesses, get their contact information.
3. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if you feel “okay,” the adrenaline from the crash can mask serious injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or a concussion. A medical record created at the scene or ER directly links your injuries to the accident.
4. Be Cautious in Conversations: Give only necessary information to the police. Do not discuss fault or make any statements to the truck driver or the trucking company’s representatives who may arrive at the scene. They are not on your side.
5. Do NOT Speak to Any Insurance Company Alone: You will likely be contacted quickly by the trucking company’s insurer. They are trained to get you to make a recorded statement that they can use against you. Politely decline and say your attorney will contact them.
6. Contact a Specialized Truck Accident Attorney Immediately: Call Barton & Associates as soon as possible. Evidence from the truck—like its black box (ECM data), driver logs, and maintenance records—is controlled by the trucking company and can be lost or destroyed. We act swiftly to send spoliation letters and subpoena this critical evidence.

How Barton & Associates Builds an Unbeatable Truck Accident Case

We deploy a systematic, resource-intensive approach designed to prove liability and secure maximum compensation:

• Immediate Evidence Preservation: Within days, we send legal notices to the trucking company and their insurer demanding they preserve all evidence: the truck and trailer, the Electronic Control Module (ECM/”black box”), the driver’s logs (ELD data), all maintenance records, GPS data, and driver qualification files.
• Comprehensive Investigation: We work with a network of elite experts including trucking safety experts, accident reconstructionists, forensic toxicologists, and medical specialists to build the scientific foundation of your case. We reconstruct the crash, analyze the driver’s hours, and review the company’s safety compliance.
• Uncovering Corporate Negligence: Our discovery process is aggressive. We subpoena company training manuals, safety policy audits, driver disciplinary records, and internal emails to prove a pattern of disregard for federal safety rules.
• Meticulous Damages Calculation: We work with economists and life-care planners to calculate the true, lifetime cost of your injuries, which often includes:
  • Past and Future Medical Expenses (surgeries, rehabilitation, lifelong care)
  • Lost Wages & Loss of Future Earning Capacity
  • Physical Pain and Suffering
  • Mental Anguish, PTSD, and Loss of Enjoyment of Life
  • Punitive Damages, which are often sought in trucking cases to punish egregious corporate misconduct and deter future reckless behavior.

Why Insurance Companies Respect Our San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyers

Trucking insurers know which law firms are prepared for a fight. We have a reputation for:

• Mastery of Federal & State Regulations: We are fluent in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Texas trucking law. We use these regulations as a blueprint to prove the company’s negligence.
• Trial-Ready Litigation: We prepare every case as if it is going to trial. This commitment to thorough preparation gives us tremendous leverage in settlement negotiations. Insurers know we will not back down and are fully prepared to present our case to a Bexar County jury.
• A Record of Substantial Results: Our history of securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for truck accident victims demonstrates our ability to deliver justice against even the largest trucking conglomerates.

The Barton & Associates Difference: Your Advocate in a Complex Fight

Choosing the right legal team after a truck accident is the most important decision you will make. We offer:

• Contingency Fee Basis: You pay nothing unless we win your case. This ensures everyone has access to top-tier representation.
• Direct Attorney Access: You will work directly with your experienced attorney, not a case manager. We are here to guide you through this difficult time.
• Compassionate, Aggressive Advocacy: We combine fierce legal skill with genuine compassion for our clients. We handle the legal battle so you can focus on healing.

Don’t Face the Trucking Company Alone. Contact Us Today.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a collision with a tractor-trailer, dump truck, tanker, or any commercial vehicle in San Antonio or across South Texas, time is not on your side. Critical evidence disappears quickly.

Do not settle for less than you deserve. Let the specialized San Antonio truck accident attorneys at Barton & Associates launch an immediate investigation and fight for the justice you need to rebuild your life.

Call Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law, today at 210-500-0000 for your free, confidential, no-obligation case consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your rights, and outline the powerful steps we can take on your behalf.

Main Category: Personal Injury
Practice Area Category: Motor Vehicle Accidents
Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law
115 Camaron St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Office: 210-500-0000