If you’ve lost someone you love in a fatal crash, no amount of compensation can fill that void or ease your grief, not to mention the shock and trauma you’ve endured. How can you ever put a price on such a loss?
At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, our San Antonio fatal car accident lawyers have worked with families whose lives were torn apart by one moment of carelessness or recklessness on the road. And after years of seeing this kind of loss up close, we know it’s not only about grief. It’s about the stress, unanswered questions, and the long, complicated process that follows.
We help families take back some control—to seek justice, hold negligent drivers accountable, and pursue the compensation that makes rebuilding possible.
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Grieving While Pursuing a Legal Case: What to Expect Emotionally
No one is prepared for what comes after losing a loved one in a crash. The emotional toll is heavy enough without adding the demands of a legal case. At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, we’ve worked with families who are not only grieving, but also dealing with unanswered questions, insurance calls, and financial stress. It’s a lot more than any person should have to manage.
That’s why we take our role so seriously. We don’t just handle legal filings and negotiations. We give families space to grieve while keeping their case on track. We’ll explain what’s happening when you’re ready, move at your pace, and check in to make sure you feel supported.
Grief isn’t linear. Some days, you may want answers. Other days, you may not want to talk at all. That’s okay. Our team is here for both. We know this case is about more than numbers. We work with the quiet strength, compassion, and determination that you need at this time.
Why Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock Is the Right Choice for Your San Antonio Car Accident Case
When you’ve lost someone in a crash, choosing a law firm can feel like one more decision at a time when everything already feels too heavy. We’ve worked with families across San Antonio who’ve been through the worst, and we don’t take that trust lightly. Here’s what you can expect from us:
- A long history of securing life-changing settlements and verdicts, including seven- and eight-figure recoveries for families coping with devastating loss.
- A client experience shaped by compassion, patience, and years of walking with grieving families through every stage of the legal process.
- A trial-ready team that prepares every case thoroughly, bringing in expert witnesses when needed and never settling for less than what’s fair.
- No upfront costs or hourly fees. You won’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for your family.
- A commitment to staying ahead of the curve with top-tier trial training, courtroom technology, and ongoing legal education.
- Trusted relationships with firms across the country who turn to us when the outcome truly matters.
We care about these cases because we’ve seen what families go through—and we want to do everything we can to ease that burden while fighting for the justice your loved one deserves.
We don’t just take fatal crash cases. We invest in them because we know how much is at stake for the people left behind.
San Antonio’s High Fatal Crash Rate Is No Coincidence
San Antonio consistently ranks as one of the deadliest cities in Texas for traffic fatalities. In a recent five-year period, the city recorded 860 crash-related deaths—more than Austin and Fort Worth and behind only Houston and Dallas. In many of these crashes, high speeds and heavy traffic on roads like Interstate 10, Loop 1604, and U.S. 281 played a deadly role.
A significant number of these fatal crashes happen in intersections or result from vehicles running off the road. In one recent year alone, Texas recorded 1,121 intersection-related deaths and 1,366 single-vehicle run-off crashes. Many of these occur during weekend nights or early mornings, with alcohol, distraction, or fatigue as contributing factors.
These aren't just statistics. They are lives cut short and families changed forever.
Why Fatal Car Accidents Happen in San Antonio
You can be the safest driver on the road, but it only takes one person ignoring the rules to cause irreversible harm. In our experience handling wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims, we often see fatal crashes involving:
Speeding and reckless driving
San Antonio’s wide highways, including parts of I-10 with posted speeds up to 80 mph, invite aggressive driving. High-speed crashes rarely end in minor injuries; they’re often fatal.
Drunk or impaired driving
Statewide, 1,127 people were killed in DUI-related crashes in one recent year, making up over a quarter of all motor vehicle deaths. San Antonio sees a disproportionate share of these crashes, especially during early morning hours and weekends.
Distracted driving
Despite growing awareness, distracted driving contributed to 403 deaths in Texas in one recent year. Texting, GPS use, or even eating behind the wheel can have lethal consequences.
Commercial vehicle collisions
San Antonio is a hub for Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and other delivery services, with an especially heavy presence along I-35 and Loop 410. Crashes involving 18-wheelers and commercial trucks often result in fatal injuries, especially when smaller passenger vehicles are involved.
Intersections and poor road design
With complex intersections around areas like Medical Center, Ingram Park Mall, and the Stone Oak area, drivers frequently misjudge traffic signals or fail to yield, causing deadly T-bone or head-on collisions.
Common Locations for Fatal Crashes in San Antonio
Some of the deadliest roads in Texas cut directly through San Antonio, and the numbers show it. Interstate 10, which runs from the Far East Side through downtown to the Northwest Side, has one of the highest fatality rates in the state. Its long stretches of 75-80 mph zones, combined with heavy traffic and commercial vehicles, make it especially dangerous.
Other high-fatality routes include Loop 1604 and Loop 410, which encircle the city and are frequently congested during rush hours. U.S. 281 is another hot spot, particularly in the northern stretches near Stone Oak and the downtown corridor, where lane shifts and construction increase collision risks.
Several intersections in San Antonio have repeatedly ranked among the most hazardous in Bexar County. These include:
- Bandera Road at Loop 410
- Culebra Road at Ingram Road
- Rigsby Avenue at Loop 410
- Wurzbach Parkway at Nacogdoches Road
- Zarzamora Street at Southwest Military Drive
Fatal crashes also occur near high-traffic areas like the Medical Center, North Star Mall, The Rim, and San Antonio International Airport. Knowing these locations helps illustrate the real dangers people face, often while doing something as routine as driving to work or picking up their kids.
Texas Law and Your Legal Options After a Fatal Crash
If you’ve lost a family member in a fatal accident, you may have legal grounds to file a wrongful death claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71. These claims can be brought by spouses, children, or parents of the deceased.
Texas also allows for a separate survival action, which seeks damages the deceased could have pursued if they had survived. These include medical expenses and pain and suffering experienced before death.
Damages Available in a Texas Wrongful Death Case
Depending on your relationship to the deceased and the details of the case, you may be eligible to seek:
- Loss of companionship and support
- Lost income and future earnings
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Mental anguish and emotional suffering
In survival claims, the focus is on the suffering your loved one experienced before they passed. While a wrongful death case is about the family’s loss, a survival action gives voice to what the deceased endured.
This type of claim is filed by the estate’s legal representative and can include compensation for medical expenses, physical pain, emotional distress, and property damage that occurred before death.
Any compensation recovered becomes part of the estate and is distributed to the heirs. It acknowledges that what your loved one went through matters, not just emotionally, but legally too.
Texas does not place a cap on damages in wrongful death cases unless the defendant is a government entity. This means families can pursue full and fair compensation to reflect the actual harm caused.
How Our Fatal Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Filing a claim is not as simple as submitting paperwork. When we take on a fatal accident case, our job isn’t just to prove fault. It’s to protect the family’s interests while handling every legal task behind the scenes.
Here’s what you can expect from our team:
- Immediate investigation to preserve evidence (especially critical in trucking and commercial cases)
- Full coordination with crash reconstruction experts
- Communication with insurance companies so you don’t have to
- A commitment to trial if settlement negotiations don’t reflect the full value of your loss
We’ve represented families all across Bexar County, including those impacted by crashes on Loop 410, I-35 near downtown, and dangerous stretches near the Pearl District and South Side. We know the local roads, the local courts, and what it takes to win high-stakes fatal crash cases in San Antonio.
Why We Care So Deeply About These Cases
After decades of representing families devastated by fatal crashes, we don’t look at these cases like numbers. We’ve sat in their homes, listened to their stories, and witnessed the devastating impact their loss has had on entire families. We know what it means to lose someone to a senseless act, and we bring that understanding into every case we take.
When you consult with the San Antonio fatal car accident lawyers at Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, you’re not getting a pitch. You’re talking to someone who sees the human side of this loss and fights like they would for their own family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas?
The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Texas is generally two years from the date of the person’s death. However, some exceptions may apply based on the circumstances. An attorney can advise you on your specific deadline and preserve your right to file.
What if the deceased was partly at fault for the crash?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as the deceased was less than 51% responsible for the crash, their family can still recover damages, though the amount may be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to them.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Texas?
Only certain family members are legally allowed to file: the surviving spouse, children (including adopted children), and parents of the deceased. If none of these individuals file within a certain time, the executor of the estate may pursue a survival claim instead.
How much does a fatal accident lawyer cost?
At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything upfront—and we only get paid if we win or settle your case. This allows families to focus on healing, not legal bills.
What evidence is used in fatal car accident cases?
Evidence may include police crash reports, eyewitness statements, traffic camera footage, vehicle black box data, medical records, and expert reconstruction analysis. Our team works quickly to preserve time-sensitive information before it’s lost or destroyed.
A Legal Team That Treats Your Case Like It’s Personal
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to obtaining justice and compensation.. Fatal accident cases demand exceptional legal skill, but just as importantly, they require compassion, patience, and a team that will fight tirelessly for your best possible outcome. At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, we take that responsibility to heart.
From the moment you contact us, ur San Antonio personal injury lawyers focus on helping your family move forward. We’ll handle the insurance adjusters, the paperwork, and the legal strategy. You won’t have to wonder what’s next. You’ll always have an attorney you can speak with directly, someone who knows your case inside and out.
Call (210) 941-1306 or send us a confidential message here. Consultations are always free, and you’re not obligated to act. Your family deserves accountability. Let us help you fight for it.
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Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock - San Antonio Office
Address: 6243 I-10 #801, San Antonio, TX 78201
Contact No: (210) 941-1306