Bexar County Truck Accident and Commercial Vehicle Litigation Guide

The impact is often catastrophic. Somewhere in Bexar County right now, an 80,000-pound steel machine is sharing a lane with a 4,000-pound family sedan. On the I-35 corridor, I-10, or the loops surrounding San Antonio, that weight disparity means that when a mistake happens, a family’s life changes forever. We understand that after a truck accident, you aren’t just looking for a lawyer; you’re looking for a way to put your life back together.

Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has been the advocate families in Bexar County turn to when disaster strikes. With over 25 years of courtroom experience and admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, our founding partner knows how to handle the federal regulations that govern interstate trucking. We don’t just see a case number—we see a neighbor in crisis. As our client Chad Harris once said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

If you’ve been hurt in a trucking accident anywhere in Bexar County, call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911. Our team offers free consultations and we work on contingency—you pay us nothing unless we win your case.

Why the Legal Battle in Bexar County is Different

An 18-wheeler wreck on I-410 or Loop 1604 isn’t just a “big car accident.” It is a complex legal battle involving federal law, massive insurance policies, and corporate defendants who have rapid-response teams on the scene before the ambulance even leaves. To win here, you need an edge.

Our firm provides that edge through associate attorney Lupe Peña. Before joining us to fight for victims, Lupe worked for a national insurance defense firm. He knows their playbook. He knows how adjusters are trained to minimize your injuries and how they use algorithms to lowball your settlement. Whether you were hit by a Walmart truck, an Amazon delivery van, or an oilfield carrier, we use that insider knowledge to fight for every dime you deserve.

The clock is already ticking. Evidence in Bexar County truck accidents disappears fast. Call us today at (888) 288-9911 so we can start protecting your future.

Bexar County’s Trucking Landscape: A Global Crossroads

Bexar County is the heartbeat of South Texas commerce. It serves as the primary gateway for the NAFTA corridor on I-35, moving freight from the border throughout North America. It is also the northern staging ground for the Eagle Ford Shale, meaning our local roads are constantly filled with heavy oilfield equipment, water tankers, and sand haulers.

The Most Dangerous Corridors in Bexar County

We have represented clients injured on every major artery in the San Antonio area. We know the specific risks associated with these roads:

• The I-35 NAFTA Corridor: This is one of the heaviest truck-traffic routes in the United States. Congestion near downtown and the constant flow of international long-haulers make this a prime location for fatigue-related rear-end collisions.
• The I-10 East/West Route: Connecting the Port of Houston to El Paso, I-10 through Bexar County sees thousands of container-on-chassis trucks. These loads are often top-heavy and prone to rollovers during sudden lane changes.
• Loop 410 and Loop 1604: As San Antonio has grown, these loops have become centers for commercial delivery. You are constantly sharing the road with Amazon delivery vans, UPS package cars, and Sysco food trucks. The frequent stops and merges on these loops lead to devastating blind-spot and wide-turn accidents.
• I-37 and the Eagle Ford Corridor: Heading south out of Bexar County, the traffic shifts to oilfield service vehicles. These trucks are often overloaded and operated by drivers working brutal 12-to-14-hour shifts.

Regardless of where your accident happened, you need a team that knows the territory. Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of experience counts when navigating the specific jurisdictions and courtrooms of Bexar County. Call 888-ATTY-911 to put a fighter in your corner.

Proving Negligence: The FMCSA Regulatory Framework

Trucking companies are held to a higher standard than the average driver. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established strict regulations under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) that every commercial carrier must follow. When a driver or company violates these rules in Bexar County, it is powerful evidence of negligence.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)

This is the most common violation we see in Bexar County long-haul accidents. Fatigued driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. Federal law generally limits drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They are also subject to the 14-hour on-duty window and must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.

If a driver was pushing through Bexar County to make a delivery deadline at an Amazon fulfillment center or a Walmart distribution hub and bypassed these rest requirements, the company broke the law. We subpoena the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data immediately to prove these violations.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification

Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are fit for the road. Under Part 391, carriers must maintain a Driver Qualification File for every operator. This file must include their road test, medical examiner’s certificate, and an annual review of their driving record. If a company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or safety violations to drive through Bexar County, they can be held liable for negligent hiring.

49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance

A 40-ton truck with failing brakes is a weapon. 49 CFR Part 396 requires systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance of all commercial vehicles. Drivers must conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections. If a brake failure or tire blowout caused your accident on Loop 1604, we look at the maintenance logs to see if that company was cutting corners on safety to save a buck.

Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.

Accident Types: How Commercial Wrecks Happen in Bexar County

The physics of a commercial vehicle crash are unique. Because of the weight and the size of these vehicles, certain types of accidents occur that almost never happen with passenger cars.

Jackknife Accidents on Bexar County Highways

A jackknife occurs when a truck’s drive wheels lock or lose traction, causing the trailer to swing out perpendicular to the cab. This often happens on I-35 or I-10 during San Antonio’s sudden rainstorms when roads become slick. An 18-wheeler jackknifing across three lanes of traffic creates a wall of steel that is impossible to avoid. We investigate whether the driver was speeding for the conditions (a violation of 49 CFR § 392.6) or if the brake system (Part 393) was defective.

Underride Collisions: The Most Lethal Scenarios

An underride collision happens when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a trailer. These are almost always catastrophic or fatal, as the base of the trailer is often at windshield height for a passenger car. While federal law requires rear impact guards (49 CFR § 393.86), many are poorly maintained. If you lost a loved one in an underride crash in Bexar County, you need a firm that knows how to hold manufacturers and carriers accountable.

Wide Turn “Squeeze Play” in Urban San Antonio

Commercial trucks require significant space to turn. In the tighter intersections of downtown San Antonio or near construction zones on Loop 1604, drivers often swing wide to the left before making a right turn. If the driver fails to signal properly or fails to check their mirrors, they can crush a smaller vehicle that has moved into that gap. This is often a failure of training and mirror adjustment (Part 393.80).

Blind Spot “No-Zone” Crashes

Every 18-wheeler has four massive blind spots: 20 feet in front, 30 feet to the rear, and significant portions of the left and right lanes. If a trucker changes lanes on I-410 and hits you, they may claim they “didn’t see you.” Our job is to prove they failed in their duty to check their No-Zones before maneuvering.

Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures

A tire blowout on an 80,000-pound truck isn’t just a flat—it’s an explosion that can send the vehicle careening into other lanes. These are often the result of using “retreads” on steer tires or failing to replace worn tires (Part 393.75). Similarly, brake failure is common on heavy trucks, especially those hauling oilfield equipment in the heat of a Bexar County summer.

Learn more in our video: “Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTumr1looc.

Oilfield Truck Accidents: The Eagle Ford Connection

Bexar County serves as the northern hub for the Eagle Ford Shale. This means our local roads accommodate thousands of oilfield service vehicles every day. These isn’t your standard commercial trucking; this is industrial transport on civilian roads.

The Unique Hazards of Oilfield Trucking

• Water Trucks and Sand Haulers: These vehicles are notoriously top-heavy and often travel on rural FM roads that weren’t built for their weight. A sloshing liquid load in a water tanker creates unpredictable center-of-gravity shifts, leading to rollovers.
• Frac Sand Convoys: During active completions, frac sand haulers run 24/7. These drivers are often under immense pressure from the oil company to deliver, leading to extreme HOS violations and fatigue.
• Crowded Wellsite Ingress/Egress: Many accidents happen where private lease roads meet public Bexar County highways. If the wellsite operator failed to provide flaggers or adequate signage, they may share liability.

In oilfield cases, we look beyond the FMCSA. We often investigate OSHA (29 CFR 1910/1926) workplace safety violations. An oilfield truck accident is often the result of a corporate “production over safety” culture. Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña have the experience to take on major operators like EOG Resources, ConocoPhillips, and Halliburton.

If an oilfield truck hit your family in Bexar County, call 888-ATTY-911 immediately.

Corporate Fleet Accidents: Suing the Giants

When you are hit by a truck with a logo on the side—Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, UPS—the legal landscape changes. You aren’t just fighting a trucking company; you are fighting a Fortune 500 corporation with a team of lawyers and a sophisticated self-insurance model.

Walmart Truck Accidents

Walmart operates one of the largest private fleets in the world. Their drivers are direct employees, making Walmart liable for their actions. Walmart is notoriously aggressive in defense because they are self-insured for several million dollars. They pay claims from their own pocket, which means they fight harder to pay you nothing.

The Amazon DSP Defense

If an Amazon van hit you in Bexar County, Amazon will likely tell you the driver wasn’t their employee. They use a “Delivery Service Partner” (DSP) model to try to shield themselves from liability. We know how to pierce this shield. We show that Amazon controls the route, the delivery quota, the uniform, and monitors the driver through Netradyne cameras—effectively acting as the employer.

FedEx Ground and UPS

Like Amazon, FedEx Ground uses independent contractors. UPS, however, uses direct employees. Each requires a different legal strategy. We’ve gone head-to-head with some of the biggest corporations on the planet and made them pay. Their fleet of lawyers doesn’t intimidate us.

Hit by a company truck? We can help. Call (888) 288-9911 for a free case evaluation.

Who is Liable? Identifying the Target Defendants

Most firms only sue the driver. We investigate the entire chain of command. In a catastrophic Bexar County truck accident, there are often multiple insurance policies that should be paying for your recovery.

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding, distraction, or impairment.
2. The Trucking Company: For negligent hiring, training, and supervision.
3. The Cargo Owner/Loader: If an improperly secured or overweight load caused a rollover or spill.
4. The Maintenance Company: If brakes or steering failed due to negligent repair.
5. The Truck/Parts Manufacturer: If a defective tire or component failed.
6. The Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a known bad safety record.
7. The Corporate Parent: Like Amazon or Walmart, for setting unsafe delivery quotas.
8. The Oilfield Operator: For creating dangerous conditions on lease roads or wellsites.
9. Rental Truck Companies: Like U-Haul or Penske, for renting a 26-foot truck to an untrained driver.
10. Governmental Entities: For dangerous road designs or unmaintained highways in Bexar County.

By identifying every liable party, we maximize the insurance money available for your case. Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To MCS 90 Auto Endorsements” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auB5NWcwyag.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Window

In trucking litigation, the first 48 hours are critical. While you are recovering, the trucking company is already working to protect its bottom line. Here is what is at stake:

• ECM Black Box Data: This records speed, braking, and throttle position. It can be overwritten in as little as 30 days or even sooner if the truck is returned to service.
• ELD Logs: Electronic logs prove hours-of-service violations. Falsifying logs is common, and data can disappear.
• The Truck Itself: The company will want to repair the truck and get it back on the road. We need our own experts to inspect it before the evidence of failure is erased.
• Netradyne/Dashcam Footage: Amazon and other fleets use AI-powered cameras. Routine footage is often deleted within 7 to 14 days.

We send formal spoliation letters within hours of being hired. This puts the company on legal notice that they must preserve everything. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, we can demand “adverse inference” sanctions, where the judge tells the jury to assume the destroyed evidence proved the company was guilty.

Don’t let them hide the truth. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 before the evidence is gone.

Catastrophic Injuries and Your Recovery Potential

The force of a truck impact in Bexar County often results in life-altering injuries. We understand that “settlement” isn’t just a number—it’s the resources you need to pay for a lifetime of care.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Even a “mild” concussion can lead to permanent cognitive deficits. We have seen TBI settlements ranging from $1.5 million to upwards of $9.8 million. A TBI changes how you think, how you work, and how you interact with your family. We ensure the full score of your future needs—cognitive rehab, speech therapy, and psychological support—is covered.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

A C4 or T10 injury doesn’t just mean you can’t walk; it means your home must be modified, you may need 24/7 care, and your medical equipment costs will reach into the millions over your lifetime. Our firm has seen spinal injury cases valued between $4.7 million and $25.8 million.

Amputations and Severe Burns

The crushing force of a semi can result in traumatic limb loss. Amputation settlements often range from $1.9 million to $8.6 million, accounting for prosthetics that must be replaced every five years. Similarly, fuel-fed fires on I-35 can cause severe burns requiring years of skin grafts and reconstructive surgery.

Wrongful Death

If you lost a loved one, justice requires holding the trucker accountable for the income, companionship, and guidance that you have lost. Wrongful death settlements in trucking cases often range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.

We are deeply sorry for your loss. As client Glenda Walker said, “They make you feel like family… They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Understanding Damages: What Are You Owed?

In Bexar County, you are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages.

• Economic Damages: These are the calculable losses. It includes your current hospital bills, future surgeries, physical therapy, lost wages, and your “loss of earning capacity”—the career you can no longer pursue.
• Non-Economic Damages: This is the human cost. It covers physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and the “loss of enjoyment of life”—the activities you loved that you can no longer do.
• Punitive Damages: If the trucking company acted with gross negligence—like putting an unlicensed driver on the road or intentionally falsifying logs—we may pursue punitive damages to punish the company and prevent it from happening again.

Trucking companies carry far more insurance than regular drivers: typically $750,000 to $5,000,000. Accessing those policies requires an attorney who knows how to navigate the layered insurance structures of corporate fleets.

Ready to see what your case is worth? Call (888) 288-9911.

Bexar County Truck Accident FAQ

How long do I have to file a claim in San Antonio?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, in trucking cases, you should act much faster to preserve electronic evidence.

What if the truck driver was from another state?
Bexar County 18-wheeler accidents often involve out-of-state carriers. Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court and handles interstate cases regularly. We can sue the company in Texas or in federal court depending on what is best for your case.

What if I was partially at fault?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule (51% bar). You can still recover damages as long as you are 50% or less at fault. Your settlement is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Never admit fault at the scene—let the black box data tell the story.

Who pays my medical bills while the case is pending?
We can help you arrange for medical treatment on a “letter of protection,” meaning the doctors wait to get paid from your settlement. You shouldn’t have to suffer just because you don’t have upfront cash for a specialist.

I was hit by a U-Haul—is that a truck accident?
YES. 26-foot moving trucks weigh up to 26,000 pounds and are driven by people with zero commercial training. If the rental company was negligent in maintaining the truck or renting it to someone unfit, they are liable.

My husband was killed by a FedEx truck—what do I do first?
We are so sorry for what you are going through. First, do not talk to FedEx’s insurance. They will try to get you to sign away your rights for a fraction of what they owe. Call 888-ATTY-911, and let us take the burden of the legal fight off your shoulders while you grieve.

Your Fight Starts With One Call: 1-888-ATTY-911

At Attorney911, we don’t back down. Ralph Manginello has spent 25 years going toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations—including litigating during the BP Texas City refinery explosion against multinational giants. We have the resources, the technical expertise, and the fighter’s heart to win your case.

Every day you wait, the trucking company’s lawyers are digging in. Every hour that passes is another hour the black box data could be erased. Don’t let them get away with it.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis. You pay absolutely nothing unless we win.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm
1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
316 West 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Available for meetings throughout Bexar County.

1-888-ATTY-911 | (888) 288-9911
https://attorney911.com

One number to remember. One firm to trust. Your family. Your future. Your fight.

Complete Physical Injury and Damage Taxonomy for Bexar County Victims

When an 18-wheeler slams into your vehicle on I-35 or Loop 1604, the damage is rarely just “neck and back pain.” The extreme kinetic energy of an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle creates trauma that is multifaceted and requires specialized medical and legal documentation.

Orthopedic and Bone Fracture Injuries

In Bexar County truck wrecks, bone fractures are common due to cabin intrusion—where parts of the truck actually enter your car’s passenger compartment.

• Femur and Pelvic Fractures: These are high-energy injuries. If a truck struck you at highway speed, the force often breaks the strongest bones in the body. These require surgical rodding or plating and months of non-weight-bearing recovery.
• Spinal Compression Fractures: Even without paralysis, a burst fracture or compression in the L1-L5 region causes chronic, lifelong pain and may require kyphoplasty or spinal fusion.
• Compound Extremity Fractures: Common for pedestrians or motorcyclists hit by trucks, these carry a high risk of infection and compartment syndrome.

Soft Tissue and “Invisible” Damage

Insurance companies in Bexar County love to call disc injuries “pre-existing,” but there is nothing routine about a herniated disc caused by an 18-wheeler.

• Herniated and Bulging Discs: A rear-end impact from a semi-truck can cause the intervertebral discs in your neck (C5-C6) or lower back (L4-L5) to rupture, pressing on your spinal nerves. This causes “sciatica”—shooting pain, numbness, and weakness down your limbs.
• Torn Labrum and Rotator Cuff: Bracing for impact against the steering wheel often shears the cartilage in the shoulder or hip. These injuries usually require MRI arthrograms to diagnose and surgical repair to fix.

Psychological and Emotional Trauma

We understand that you may be afraid to drive past the spot where the accident happened. We recognize the nightmares and the hypervigilance when you see a truck on the highway.

• PTSD and Driving Anxiety: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a medically diagnosable injury. It is legally compensable. If you are experiencing flashbacks or avoid highways, you have a legitimate claim for non-economic damages.
• Cognitive Deficits: Even a “mild concussion” from a truck accident can leave you with “brain fog,” memory loss, and difficulty concentrating at work. For professionals in San Antonio, these injuries can be career-ending and are worth more than any broken bone.

The “Hidden” Costs of Your Injury

A fair settlement in Bexar County must include more than just your paid medical bills. We fight for:

• Future Medical Needs: Your spinal hardware may need to be replaced in 10 years. You may need ongoing pain management blocks. We project these costs.
• Household Services: If you can no longer mow the lawn, cook for your family, or care for your children, the cost of hiring people to do those tasks is a recoverable loss.
• Lost Career Advancement: If your injury prevented you from taking a promotion or forced you to change fields, we account for that lifetime loss of earnings.

Every Commercial Vehicle Covered: From Dump Trucks to Delivery Vans

While 18-wheelers get the headlines, Bexar County is home to a massive variety of commercial vehicles, each with its own set of dangers and insurance rules.

Dump Truck and Construction Wrecks

Bexar County’s growth means constant construction. A loaded dump truck hauling gravel can weigh 65,000 pounds. These trucks are often overloaded to increase profit, leading to brake failures and rollovers on our residential streets. If you were hit by a dump truck near a new development in Stone Oak or Westover Hills, the construction company that hired them may be liable.

Garbage and Sanitation Truck Accidents

These are among the most dangerous vehicles in our San Antonio neighborhoods. Garbage trucks have enormous blind spots and are constantly backing up. They frequently strike pedestrians, cyclists, and children. Because many are government-operated, they involve strict “tort claim” notice deadlines—sometimes just 90 days. If a municipal truck hit you, you must call us immediately.

Concrete Mixer “Slosh Effect”

A concrete truck carries 40,000 pounds of liquid cement in a rotating drum. That liquid shifts during every turn on Loop 1604, making these trucks incredibly unstable. Add the 90-minute “set time” window, and you have drivers under extreme time pressure operating top-heavy vehicles.

Rental and Moving Truck Accidents (U-Haul, Penske)

This is a legal nightmare for victims. U-Haul and other companies rent 26,000-pound trucks to people who have never driven anything larger than an SUV. With NO commercial training and NO CDL, these drivers often cause rear-end and rollover crashes because they don’t understand stopping distances. We investigate whether the rental company was negligent in entrustment or maintenance.

Bus Accidents (VIA Transit and Charter)

Whether it’s a VIA Metropolitan Transit bus or a private charter coach, a bus accident can injure dozens of people at once. These cases involve “interpleader” issues where multiple victims are fighting over one insurance policy. You need an attorney who can fight for your fair share of that recovery.

If any commercial vehicle turned your life upside down in Bexar County, call 888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7.

The Insurance Defense Advantage: Our Firm’s Unique Edge

Why does it matter that Lupe Peña used to work for the insurance companies? Because in Bexar County, insurance companies aren’t “good neighbors.” They are billion-dollar corporations that profit by denying your claim.

When you hire Attorney911, you get a team that knows:

• The Adjuster’s Playbook: We know they call you early to get a recorded statement when you are still on pain medication. We stop them.
• The Algorithm: Lupe knows how algorithms like “Colossus” are used to assign arbitrary values to your pain. We provide the medical evidence that forces them to bypass the machine and pay you as a human being.
• The “Pre-Existing” Trap: We know their doctors will try to blame your pain on “aging” or a car accident from 10 years ago. We counter with radiological evidence proving the truck impact was the cause.

We don’t settle for the first offer. We don’t settle for the second. We settle when the trucking company recognizes that we are ready to take them to trial in a Bexar County courtroom and let a jury decide.

Ready to level the playing field? Call (888) 288-9911 today.

Emergency Steps: After a Truck Accident in San Antonio

1. Stop and Call 911: Every truck accident in Bexar County needs a police report. The officer’s determination of fault is the first piece of evidence the insurance company will look at.
2. Go to the Hospital: Whether it’s Methodist, University, or Baptist Health, get a CT scan or MRI immediately. Many brain and organ injuries from truck crashes have delayed symptoms.
3. Photograph the DOT Number: Look at the truck cab door. There is a “USDOT” number. This is the key to finding out the company’s safety history and insurance limits.
4. Get Witness Names: People stop to help—take a picture of their driver’s license or get their phone number. Witnesses move on and disappear within minutes.
5. Call Attorney911: Do not call your own insurance yet. Do not call the other guy’s insurance. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 first. We will handle the reporting to ensure your words aren’t twisted against you.

25 Years of Justice for Bexar County Families

Ralph Manginello isn’t just an attorney; he is a member of the Trial Lawyers Achievement Association Million Dollar Member group. He has seen the tricks trucking companies play for a quarter of a century. Our firm has recovered over $50 million for Texas families because we treat every case as if it’s our own family’s future on the line.

As client Donald Wilcox said, “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

Hit by an 18-wheeler? Injured by an Amazon van? Exposed to chemicals on an oilfield site?

Don’t wait. Justice doesn’t happen by itself; you have to fight for it. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 or visit https://attorney911.com to start your recovery today.

Bexar County families deserve a lawyer who knows the roads, knows the laws, and knows how to win. We are Attorney911—Powerful, Proven, and ready to fight for you.