Holding Negligent Trucking Companies Accountable
Every day, thousands of 18-wheelers travel through San Antonio on I-35, I-10, Loop 410, and Loop 1604, moving goods across Texas and beyond. While these trucks are essential to the economy, they can also become deadly hazards when mechanical systems fail. A single brake malfunction, tire blowout, or steering failure can transform an 18-wheeler into an out-of-control weapon.
In Bexar County, mechanical failures are a frequent cause of catastrophic truck crashes. For victims, these accidents bring devastating injuries, financial strain, and emotional trauma. If you or a loved one has been injured, you need a truck accident lawyer near me who knows how to expose negligence and fight for full compensation. At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, we hold trucking companies and maintenance providers accountable when they cut corners on safety.
Why Mechanical Failures in 18-Wheelers Are So Dangerous
Unlike passenger cars, 18-wheelers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. When vital components fail, drivers often have little to no control over the vehicle. Some of the most dangerous failures include:
- Brake malfunctions – Poorly maintained air brake systems can cause runaway trucks, especially on steep grades near San Antonio.
- Tire blowouts – Worn or defective tires can shred at highway speeds, leading to rollovers or multi-car pileups.
- Steering or suspension failures – Sudden loss of control can send a truck across multiple lanes.
- Engine or transmission breakdowns – Power failures leave trucks stranded in fast-moving traffic zones.
- Lighting and signal issues – Faulty lights and signals make trucks nearly invisible at night, increasing crash risks.
At high speeds, even minor failures can unleash massive destruction. Victims often need an experienced truck accident attorney near me to investigate exactly what went wrong.
The Physics of Force in an 18-Wheeler Crash
Understanding why mechanical failures are so deadly requires looking at basic physics. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car. That weight translates into massive amounts of kinetic energy.
- At 65 mph, an 80,000-pound truck generates forces equivalent to a small bomb upon impact.
- When brakes fail, the truck’s stopping distance can stretch the length of several football fields—far too long to avoid collisions in San Antonio’s congested highways.
- Tire blowouts often lead to rollovers because the shift in balance creates violent lateral forces.
For juries and insurers, this science matters. It shows why even a small maintenance failure creates outsized risks. A skilled truck wreck lawyer near me uses these facts to prove negligence and highlight the preventable nature of these accidents.
The Hidden Causes of Mechanical Failures in 18-Wheelers
Mechanical breakdowns rarely happen out of nowhere. In most cases, they stem from systemic neglect or dangerous industry practices. Some of the most common hidden causes include:
- Deferred maintenance – Trucking companies often postpone needed repairs to save money.
- Overloaded trailers – Excess weight increases stress on brakes, tires, and suspension systems.
- Faulty or rushed inspections – Drivers and mechanics sometimes falsify or overlook reports to keep trucks moving.
- Cheap or defective parts – Low-quality replacement parts often fail under heavy loads.
- Inexperienced mechanics – Repairs done by those without specialized training can miss critical safety issues.
A skilled truck wreck lawyer near me can uncover these hidden causes through records, inspections, and expert analysis—proving that negligence, not chance, caused the crash.
Tires: The Weakest Link in 18-Wheelers
Tires are one of the most overlooked yet most critical components on an 18-wheeler. They are the only point of contact between a massive truck and the road, and when they fail, disaster follows.
- Steer tires – Located on the front axle, they guide the truck. A blowout here often causes immediate loss of control.
- Drive tires – Positioned on the rear axles of the tractor, they transfer engine power. Worn drive tires increase the risk of jackknifes.
- Trailer tires – Carry enormous loads, and their failures often trigger rollovers or fishtailing trailers.
Common tire-related dangers include:
- Retread failures – Many companies use retreaded tires to save money, but they are more prone to separation.
- Underinflation – Leads to overheating and sudden blowouts.
- Overloading – Exceeds weight ratings, causing tire walls to fail.
- Heat and weather – Texas summers bake asphalt, making poorly maintained tires far more likely to explode.
A truck injury lawyer near me investigates tire records, maintenance schedules, and manufacturer recalls to show how improper tire management directly caused a crash.
Federal and Texas Truck Maintenance Regulations
Truck safety isn’t optional—it’s the law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Texas regulations require strict maintenance and inspection standards, including:
- 49 CFR Part 396 – Mandates systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance of all trucks.
- Daily inspection reports – Drivers must check brakes, tires, lights, steering, and emergency equipment before every trip.
- Out-of-service criteria – Trucks with critical safety defects must be taken off the road immediately.
When trucking companies ignore these rules, they put everyone on the road at risk. A truck injury law firm near me can use violations of FMCSA and Texas law as compelling evidence of negligence in court.
Local Risks in San Antonio and Bexar County
Certain areas in and around San Antonio present heightened risks for mechanical failures:
- I-35 corridor – Heavy freight traffic makes brake failures particularly dangerous during stop-and-go congestion.
- I-10 through downtown – Construction zones and tight lanes amplify risks of tire blowouts and steering problems.
- Loop 410 and Loop 1604 interchanges – Merging traffic increases the danger of trucks losing control.
- Rural highways in Bexar County – Rougher road conditions put additional stress on tires and suspensions.
Local knowledge matters. A truck injury lawyer near me familiar with San Antonio’s traffic patterns can show exactly how mechanical failures led to devastating wrecks.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me Proves Mechanical Failure
Proving a mechanical failure in an 18-wheeler crash is not as simple as pointing to a broken part. These cases require a forensic-level investigation, specialized experts, and aggressive legal strategy. At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, we go beyond surface-level evidence to uncover the full story of what caused a wreck in San Antonio or Bexar County.
Our approach includes:
- Event Data Recorders (Black Box / ECM/EDR) – We secure downloads from the truck’s onboard computer, which can reveal speed, gear shifts, braking attempts, and even mechanical error codes moments before impact. This data is often the “smoking gun” in proving a brake or engine failure.
- Maintenance and Inspection Records – Federal law requires trucking companies to keep detailed inspection and repair logs. We analyze these records for skipped services, falsified entries, or evidence of deferred maintenance that contributed to the crash.
- Mechanical Engineering Experts – We work with certified heavy-truck engineers who can inspect failed components—such as worn brake pads, defective steering columns, or separated tire treads—and explain exactly why they failed under real-world conditions.
- Manufacturer Recalls and Defect Evidence – Many mechanical failures tie back to recalled or defective parts. We cross-reference crash components with federal recall databases to prove whether a defective design or part manufacturer shares liability.
- Preservation and Spoliation Letters – We immediately send legal notices requiring trucking companies to preserve inspection logs, parts, and black box data. If they tamper with or destroy this evidence, Texas courts may impose harsh penalties that strengthen your case.
Through this multi-pronged strategy, we don’t just prove a part broke—we prove why it broke, who is responsible, and how it could have been prevented. That’s how we hold negligent trucking companies, maintenance contractors, and manufacturers accountable for the devastation they cause.
FAQ: Mechanical Failures in 18-Wheeler Accidents
How often do mechanical failures cause truck crashes?
FMCSA research shows about 10% of large truck crashes involve mechanical issues, most commonly brakes and tires.
Can more than one party be liable?
Yes. Liability may extend to the trucking company, driver, maintenance provider, or even the manufacturer of a defective part.
What injuries are common in these crashes?
Victims often suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, burns, or wrongful death.
Why do I need a specialized truck crash lawyer near me?
Mechanical failure cases involve federal regulations, engineering analysis, and aggressive defense by trucking companies. Only an experienced truck injury law firm near me has the resources to win these cases.
Call a San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me
When an 18-wheeler mechanical failure causes a crash, victims need more than a settlement—they need justice. Trucking companies and maintenance providers must answer for the harm caused when they cut corners on safety.
At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, we fight for truck accident victims across San Antonio, Bexar County, and South Texas. Call (210) 893-0000 today for a free consultation with an experienced truck crash lawyer near me.
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