Wadia Berrera Injured in Truck Accident on I-35 in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX — May 16, 2022, 33-year-old Wadia Berrera was injured in a crash with a commercial truck on Interstate 35 in San Antonio.
According to reports the incident happened around 2:30 p.m. on I-35 North near Topperwein Road. Preliminary investigation suggests a Freightliner semi-truck was towing a trailer south on the highway, one lane to the left of Barrera in a BMW 330I sedan.
The truck driver told investigators he didn't see the BMW before trying to merge into its lane and the truck hit the sedan.
Barrera reportedly received minor injuries in the collision. The truck driver was unhurt.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Wadia Barrera Accident on I-35N in San Antonio
If reports have their facts straight it looks like the crash was caused by the truck's unsafe lane change. That doesn't mean the trucker or his employer have to agree, however. Most companies will put up a fight to avoid liability for a wreck, which is why it's best to expect pushback and be ready with clear evidence that gets rid of any "wiggle room" they might try to use.
Some may think that's not necessary since the victim's injuries were reportedly minor. I hope police got that right, but after so many years working on truck accidents I can't help but feel some concern when I see damages downplayed right after a wreck. With all due respect to police, they don't always have all the needed information to properly judge that.
Here's an example: Not long ago I worked on a case where a man's supposedly-minor back injury turned to paralyzing pain within a week of his crash with a big rig. Scans showed that his "sore back" was actually a ruptured spinal disk. Not only did that injury require extensive surgery and rehab, but it also took months of legal battles with the at-fault company's insurer before they agreed to cover the victim's bills as they should have from the start. Little about his experience could be called "minor."
I hope nothing like that happens after the San Antonio accident and there's no particular reason to think it will. However, the possibility that things aren't quite what they seem is one of the reasons I always tell folks they need to take action after any truck wreck--even if its impact seems minimal. At worst a victim is overprepared and no action is necessary, which is always better than the opposite.
