18-Wheeler Rear-Ends Pickup, One Injured on Loop 1604 in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX — June 24, 2022, a 34-year-old man was seriously injured in a crash with a semi-truck on Loop 1604 in San Antonio.
According to reports the incident happened around 9:20 a.m. on eastbound Loop 1604 near Vance Jackson Road. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was driving a Ford F-350 pickup east when traffic ahead came to a sudden and complete stop. He braked hard to avoid running into the vehicles ahead, at which point a Freightliner tractor-trailer headed east behind him crashed into the rear of the pickup.
The victim suffered serious injuries in the collision. The Freightliner driver received possible injuries.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Truck Accident on Loop 1604 in San Antonio
While it isn't entirely clear what happened here, an 18-wheeler rear-ending someone is usually a sign that a professional driver did something wrong. That's not universally true, as sometimes unavoidable circumstances lead to these things; however, if the crash really was just due to approaching traffic and the truck driver had the elevated vantage to see that traffic coming up, it's odd that he seems not to have taken better precautions or slowed down sooner. It seems more like this crash, like many others, was due in large part to the truck going too fast or following the victim too closely.
Of course, the trucking company isn't likely to agree with that. If there's a chance they can get off the hot seat and out of any liability for the victim's injuries, it's best to assume they'll try. In this case that would probably mean they'd point fingers at the victim for "braking too suddenly" or, failing that, something like the sun in their driver's eyes that meant he couldn't see or react until it was too late. They have to know or particularly care if their arguments are true; they just have to muddy the waters enough that a jury doesn't feel right blaming them anymore.
Whatever arguments defense might us, I often tell the victims of these crashes to expect things not to go smoothly no matter what preliminary reports say. Knowing the full story--but more importantly, finding clear and abundant evidence that proves it--is crucial to getting people the help and answers they deserve. The question now is if those steps are being taken here.
