On a clear afternoon in San Antonio, 21-year-old Brandon* was riding his motorcycle through an industrial area near his workplace. At the same time, a delivery company driver operating a large commercial box truck attempted to make a left-hand turn directly across Brandon’s lane of travel.
Seconds later, Brandon violently crashed into the side of the truck. The collision changed his life forever.
Brandon suffered devastating injuries, including broken bones, collapsed lung injuries, internal injuries, and a traumatic brain injury. But one of the most important lessons from this case is not just how serious the crash was, but how critical it can be for a motorcycle accident lawyer to fully investigate a collision before accepting what the initial reports say.
*Client name has been anonymized to protect privacy.
Why early investigation matters when fault is wrongly assigned
In the beginning, the circumstances surrounding the crash created confusion about who caused the collision. Like many serious crashes, the initial investigation did not immediately uncover the full story and the investigating officers initially determined Brandon was at fault.
RELATED: How a San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyer can help you deal with bias after an accident
At Crosley Law, our legal team, along with an accident reconstructionist, obtained and analyzed dash camera footage from inside and outside the delivery truck. The video evidence told a very different story from the police officer’s crash report.
The footage showed the motorcycle rider was clearly visible to the truck driver for several seconds before impact. The driver later admitted she never saw him before turning directly into his path.
The evidence ultimately established that the delivery truck driver failed to yield the right of way and caused the crash.
This case highlights an important reality: police reports and early assumptions are not always correct. Commercial vehicle cases often require far more investigation than simply reading the police report. Critical evidence can include:
- Dash camera footage
- Driver distraction evidence
- Company training records
- Commercial driving policies
- Vehicle data and telematics
- Witness interviews
- Accident reconstruction
Insurance companies often move quickly after a collision. If an injured person doesn’t have experienced attorneys investigating the case immediately, important evidence (and the truth) can be lost forever.
The most serious injuries are not always the most obvious
Brandon’s catastrophic injuries were impossible to ignore. He suffered severe fractures to his wrist, arm, multiple rib fractures, spinal fractures, lung injuries, and internal bleeding that required hospitalization and surgery.
But as his treatment continued, Brandon also began experiencing symptoms that could not be explained by his obvious injuries alone:
- Persistent headaches
- Brain fog
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Sensitivity to light and noise
Further neurological evaluation ultimately revealed that Brandon had also sustained a traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injuries are often called “invisible injuries” because they may not appear on standard imaging studies immediately after a crash. In many cases, patients and doctors initially focus on the obvious orthopedic injuries while subtle neurological symptoms develop over time. That’s why it is critical for injury victims to receive comprehensive medical evaluation after a serious collision.
If brain injuries are not properly identified and treated during the life of a case, the injured person may never receive compensation for the full extent of their damages.
At Crosley Law, we work with neurologists, neuroradiologists, neuropsychologists, neuroscientists, physiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, life care planners, and other specialists to ensure all injuries are properly investigated and documented. That includes injuries that cannot easily be seen on less advanced neuroimaging.
RELATED:Why brain injuries are overlooked—and how a brain injury lawyer can help
Serious commercial vehicle cases require serious litigation
Commercial vehicle companies and their insurers often attempt to minimize injuries and damages after a crash. In this case, the defense challenged the extent of Brandon’s traumatic brain injury and long-term impairments.
But the medical evidence told the real story.
Advanced imaging, neurological testing, medical records, and expert evaluations demonstrated that Brandon suffered permanent cognitive and physical impairments that would continue affecting him for decades.
A life care plan prepared by a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician projected hundreds of thousands of dollars in future medical needs related to Brandon’s brain and orthopedic injuries.
Ultimately, the case resolved for a $3.75 million settlement.
Accountability matters
This case serves as a reminder that serious collisions require serious investigation.
If Brandon had relied solely on the early assumptions surrounding the crash, critical evidence may never have been uncovered. And if his legal team had focused only on his broken bones, his traumatic brain injury may never have been properly diagnosed or compensated.
At Crosley Law, we believe every injury deserves to be fully investigated, especially when there may be injuries that are harder to see.
RELATED:Why a TBI attorney must truly understand their client
If you or someone you love has been injured in a commercial vehicle collision:
- Do not assume the initial investigation got everything right
- Do not ignore subtle symptoms after a serious crash
- Do not wait to hire experienced trial lawyers
The earlier evidence is preserved and injuries are documented, the stronger the case becomes.
Contact Crosley Law for a free consultation.
