Common Causes of Commercial Truck Crashes in Texas

distracted truck driver on phone

Any traffic collision can leave vehicle occupants with injuries, but accidents involving tractor-trailers and other heavy commercial trucks are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries or fatal injuries. Texas has the highest number of fatal truck accidents of any state.

If you have been injured in a Texas truck accident, you may be struggling with painful injuries, be unable to work, and have mounting financial bills and stress. If a commercial truck driver or someone else was at fault in the accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation to cover the costs of your medical bills and other losses. You’ve come to the right place for assistance.

With the help of our knowledgeable truck accident lawyers at Kraft & Associates, P.C., you can seek justice and full compensation in a truck accident claim. To discuss your accident and explore your legal options with a compassionate attorney, call us at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Common Causes of Truck Accidentscommercial truck and car carsh

Large trucks are involved in a disproportionate share of serious and fatal crashes. In 2019, large trucks accounted for 4 percent of registered vehicles in the U.S., but 10 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal accidents, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Texas reported more than 650 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks in a recent year. The majority of those killed were people in smaller vehicles that collided with big trucks.

A large-scale study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluated the common causes of truck accidents. The researchers analyzed thousands of large truck crashes over several years to identify the factors most often associated with truck accidents.

The contributing factors included:

  • Aggressive driving – Aggressive driving includes speeding, weaving lanes, tailgating, disregarding traffic signs, and cutting others off in traffic. According to the FMCSA study, traveling too fast for conditions was a contributing factor in 23 percent of observed large truck crashes. Drivers may behave aggressively when they are stuck in traffic, frustrated by other drivers, or under pressure to make tight delivery deadlines.
  • Distracted driving – Researchers identified driver inattention as a contributing factor in 9 percent of truck crashes. Operating a large commercial truck requires concentration and awareness of surrounding traffic. Truckers place themselves and everyone else on the road at significant risk when they are inattentive or allow distractions to take their focus off the road. Common distractions include cell phones, text messages, eating, and using the navigation system.
  • Driver fatigue – Commercial truck drivers spend many hours driving each week. Over time, irregular schedules and lack of adequate sleep can lead to extreme fatigue. The federal government imposes limits on the number of hours truckers can drive each day and each week to try to keep drowsy truckers off the road. But many drivers disregard the limits. Fatigue can cause impairment similar to the effects of alcohol. Drowsy truck drivers are a danger to everyone on the road.
  • Unreasonable work demands – Some unscrupulous trucking companies give their drivers unreasonable schedules or financial incentives to encourage them to ignore hours of service rules. This leads to an alarming number of large truck crashes. Ten percent of reported large truck accidents involved drivers who said they felt they were under pressure from their carriers.
  • Improperly loaded cargo – Large trucks transport tons of cargo. The load needs to be balanced and tied down properly. If cargo loaders overload trailers or fail to secure cargo correctly, the cargo can shift in transit and cause an accident. The unsecured cargo was a contributing factor in approximately 4 percent of crashes the researchers studied.
  • Employer negligence – Even the most careful truck driver may be involved in an accident due to the negligence of an employer. Many drivers do not own or operate their own trucks. They rely on trucking companies for their routes and to maintain the vehicles they drive. If an employer fails to properly screen or trains its drivers, the truck company may be liable for accidents caused by unsafe trucks or unqualified drivers.
  • Poor road conditions – Limited visibility, obstacles in the road, and poor road infrastructure can make it harder for truckers to drive safely. If a truck driver fails to reduce speed appropriately when road conditions require, the driver may not have enough time to avoid an accident. According to the FMCSA’s study, 22 percent of large truck crashes involved drivers who were unfamiliar with the road, and 20 percent involved other roadway problems.
  • Lack of maintenance – Commercial trucks contain thousands of moving parts that experience wear and tear. Trucks require regular maintenance to remain safe to drive. Inadequate inspection or deferred maintenance on the part of truck drivers, trucking companies, or mechanics can contribute to component failure and accidents. Brake problems were the most common mechanical problem, contributing to 29 percent of studied accidents. Tire problems were also common.
  • Driving errors – When truck drivers make recognition, decision, or performance errors, even a relatively small mistake can have serious consequences. Some 14 percent of reported large truck crashes involved inadequate surveillance, 9 percent involved illegal maneuvers, and 5 percent involved truckers following other vehicles too closely. Any truck driver error can cause devastating accidents and serious injuries.
  • Drunk driving – Alcohol is a contributing factor in a relatively small number of large truck crashes. Commercial truck drivers know they will lose their commercial licenses and their livelihood if convicted of drunk driving. Even so, some truck drivers succumb to alcohol due to boredom, or isolation on the road. If drivers get behind the wheel after drinking, they may be dangerously impaired by reduced visual perception and motor control.
  • Drugged driving –The use of prescription and over-the-counter medications is far more prevalent than alcohol use among truck drivers and more difficult to detect. Many truck drivers use allergy medications and other over-the-counter medications. OTC drugs were a contributing factor in 17 percent of truck accidents. Illegal drug use was a factor in about 2 percent of large truck crashes. The side effects of illegal and OTC drugs can vary widely, making drugged truck drivers unpredictable and dangerous.
  • Lack of experience – The American trucking industry has been struggling in the face of a widespread shortage of truck drivers for at least 15 years. As a result, many carriers have been forced to rely on inexperienced drivers to keep up with demand. Truck drivers cannot operate commercial vehicles without a proper license. But simply having a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is not the same as having years of hands-on experience. Inexperienced truckers are more likely to fail to recognize hazardous situations and to commit driving errors that lead to serious accidents.
  • Inadequate driver training –If a commercial truck driver is hired or allowed to drive without proper training, their employer may be liable for damages caused by any resulting wrecks.
  • Defective components – In some cases, commercial truck components such as brakes may be defective and cause accidents. If the manufacturer of a critical truck part produces a defective component during the production process, the component may fail and lead to a loss of control. When component failure is a contributing factor in a truck accident, injured victims may have grounds to file a claim against negligent manufacturers.

How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

big truck running on the road

Serious injuries disrupt lives and livelihoods. If you have been injured in a truck accident in Texas, you may be feeling overwhelmed and wondering how you’ll recover physically and financially. The good news is that you don’t have to face these challenges alone.

The truck accident attorneys of Kraft & Associates, P.C., have the resources and the experience to help you hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable and pursue the money you need to rebuild your life.

Our legal team can assist you by:

  • Explaining your legal rights and the options you have to seek compensation
  • Making sure you get the care you need from medical specialists to help with your recovery
  • Conducting an independent investigation of the truck accident to identify who was at fault and gather evidence
  • Calculating the value of your truck accident claim
  • Managing paperwork, documents, and deadlines on your behalf
  • Communicating with the trucking company, insurance companies, and other attorneys on your behalf
  • Negotiating forcefully with insurance companies to demand full and fair compensation for you
  • Filing a lawsuit on your behalf and representing you in court, if you are forced to sue the other party for the money you need

Contact a Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Before you talk to a truck driver’s insurance company or sign any paperwork, contact the Dallas truck accident lawyers at Kraft & Associates, P.C. We can evaluate your claim in a free consultation and help you avoid common pitfalls that could damage your ability to demand compensation.

Our attorneys have been helping injured people in Dallas for decades and have the experience to make a difference. When you agree to work with us, we can get started on your case promptly with no upfront fees or charges. You only pay us if we win money for you. Call us today at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online to get started with your free case review.