Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas

Many trucks enter and leave Texas daily to deliver products and services. While this is good for the state’s economy, it increases the chances of truck accidents. Truck collisions have severe consequences, as they can lead to severe injuries and significant property damage. So, what causes these accidents, and can they be avoided?

This blog covers the most common causes of truck accidents in Texas and ways to avoid trucking collisions. Understanding what causes truck accidents is crucial for promoting road safety, protecting lives, and holding negligent parties accountable. If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident, our Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law attorneys can represent you.

We will help you understand your rights, legal options, strengths and weaknesses of your case, and whether you can seek compensation. We offer free and confidential consultations for all new clients, so call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.

Why Choose Our Truck Accident Lawyers to Handle Your Claim?

After a truck accident, the road to recovery can be overwhelming. The challenges can pile up quickly, from dealing with medical bills and lost wages to insistent insurance adjusters. Choosing the right legal team to represent your interests is one of the most vital decisions you’ll make during this difficult time. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we understand your challenges and will commit our resources to help you seek compensation.

Our truck accident lawyers have represented hundreds of Texas truck accident victims all over the state and know what it takes to secure favorable outcomes. We will thoroughly investigate your case, gather evidence, and work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf. With us representing you, your chances of success increase significantly.

Whether you’re facing powerful trucking companies or insurance giants, you can trust us to be by your side throughout the process, fighting for fair compensation.

Common Truck Accident Causes in Texas

Many types of negligent actions and other man-made factors can lead to truck accidents. Below are some of the most common causes of trucking collisions in Texas:

Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers often work long hours to meet tight delivery deadlines set by their companies. Despite federal regulations like the Hours of Service (HOS) rules, which limit the number of hours a driver can operate without rest, fatigue remains a leading cause of truck accidents.

Fatigued drivers have been said to exhibit behavior similar to that of drunk drivers; they have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and an increased likelihood of falling asleep behind the wheel. This can be avoided if drivers get rest between long drives and trucking companies set realistic deadlines.

Distracted Driving

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes three types of distractions:

• Manual Distractions: This occurs when a truck driver takes their hands off the wheel or handles anything other than the steering wheel.
• Cognitive Distractions: This occurs when a truck driver takes their mind off driving or has something weighing on their mind other than steering the truck.
• Visual Distraction: This occurs when a truck driver takes their eyes off the road to look at something by their side or search for an item in the truck.

Truck drivers can experience one form of distracted driving or all three simultaneously. This is dangerous, as trucks are large, and a momentary distraction is enough to lose control and cause an accident. The solution? Truckers should avoid all forms of distraction. It will go a long way to ensure their safety and that of other road users.

Reckless Driving

Under Texas law, a person drives recklessly if they exhibit an intentional or wanton disregard for the safety of people and property. Some examples of reckless driving are:

• Running red lights or stop signs
• Tailgating
• Sudden braking
• Excessive speeding
• Wrong-way driving
• Crossing the center line
• Weaving through traffic
• Driving under the influence
• High-speed swerves or sharp turns.

Reckless driving is hazardous for trucks, as they require a longer stopping distance. Trucks are also larger and more challenging to control than passenger vehicles. Thus, truck drivers who engage in the above actions can cause an accident.

Impaired Driving

Commercial truck drivers are held to stricter alcohol and drug regulations, with Texas law stating that truck drivers must not have above 0.04% blood alcohol concentration. This is because alcohol impairs cognitive abilities, as do illicit and some prescription drugs, making it hard to operate a truck safely. The only way to prevent impaired driving truck accidents is for drivers to avoid alcohol and drugs when on the road.

Improper Loading and Overloading

Improperly loaded or overloaded trucks can cause rollovers, jackknifing, or loss of control. Additionally, overweight trucks place extra strain on brakes and tires, increasing the risk of equipment failure. Truck accidents caused by improper loading or overloading can be prevented by adequately loading and securing cargo to prevent shifting during transit.

Texas has established size and weight limits for vehicles and loads moving on Texas roadways and bridges, with or without an oversized and/or overweight permit. Following these limits will help reduce truck accidents caused by improper loading and overloading.

Obeying the rules of the road, being proactive, obeying safety regulations, and practicing defensive driving are ways to stay safe and prevent accidents.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Trucking companies and drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles to ensure they are safe for operation. Failure to conduct regular inspections or address issues such as faulty brakes, worn tires, or malfunctioning lights can lead to accidents. Proper truck maintenance involves the following:

• Changing your oil regularly, especially for diesel trucks
• Checking brakes regularly to ensure they are not worn out or locked
• Changing and rotating tires daily to keep them balanced
• Checking fluid levels to ensure they are topped up and changing filters regularly
• Maintaining engine coolant, inspecting air intake, and checking electrical systems to ensure the starter motor has clean connections.

Doing the above will ensure the truck’s good condition and reduce the risk of an accident caused by poor vehicle maintenance.

Inadequate Training and Experience

Truck drivers operating commercial trucks must have specialized skills and training. If they are inexperienced or poorly trained, they will struggle with tasks like maneuvering, backing up, or navigating challenging road conditions. Also, insufficient knowledge of federal and state trucking regulations contributes to unsafe practices that cause accidents.

Therefore, trucking companies must adequately train their drivers and ensure they pass all driving tests before they get behind the wheel. Failure to do this will make the company liable for damages in a truck accident claim in Texas.

Third-Party Negligence

There are times when third parties are to blame for a truck accident. Third parties refer to drivers who drive negligently and create events that cause accidents. For example, a passenger car driver can run a red light, and a truck trying to avoid it can strike another vehicle.

The third-party driver will be liable for the collision in such a scenario. The truck driver will only share liability if they are discovered to have been negligent and their negligent action contributed to the accident’s severity. For example, the truck driver could have braked in time to avoid hitting the other car but was not able to because they were distracted by their phone.

The above causes of truck accidents in Texas result from negligence. However, truck crashes can also happen due to environmental factors like adverse weather conditions. Heavy rain, flooding, high winds, and fog are some of the weather conditions that can cause truck accidents. When faced with adverse weather, truck drivers should adjust their speed or change their habits to match the conditions.

Were You in a Truck Accident? We Can Help You Seek Compensation!

If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident, our team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can help you exercise your right to compensation. From case investigation to courtroom advocacy, we will fight aggressively to hold all the liable parties accountable. We will ensure you get the maximum compensation and that all your damages are accounted for.

Our services are on a contingency fee basis, so you do not have to pay us upfront. You pay us only when we secure a favorable outcome, and we receive a percentage of the compensation. Call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential truck accident case review.