Blog Layout

The 5 Common Causes of Texas Truck Accidents

Lance Sharp • Jul 20, 2017

In May 2014 the U.S. Department of Transportation published truck accident data for 2012. The numbers were alarming: that year, there were 333,000 accidents involving commercial trucks across the nation—3,921 of which resulted in fatalities. When the U.S. DoT broke the accident totals down by state, Texas topped the list with 543 commercial trucks involved in fatal crashes.

Although there are both state and federal laws that require trucks to be properly maintained and regularly inspected, and commercial truck drivers must be specially licensed, trucks continue to be frequently involved in road accidents in Texas. Five of the most common reasons are explained below.

Improper Maintenance Procedures

One of the primary causes of truck accidents is improper maintenance of engines, tires, braking systems, and other components. Malfunctions are sometimes due to design or manufacturing errors, but in most instances, substandard maintenance is to blame. Examples include:

  • Brakes that should have been changed thousands of miles ago
  • Tire blow-outs due to heavy wear and tear
  • Transmissions that fail due to lack of proper attention

Trucking firms that fail to follow federal laws regarding care of their truck fleets can be held liable if an accident occurs.

Improper Loading

Improper loading is another leading cause of trucking accidents. If cargo weight is not properly distributed or is poorly secured, the driver may lose control and the truck could even jackknife on the road, causing a serious accident. Depending on who loaded the trailer, the trucking firm, loading contractor, or the shipper could be held liable.

Insufficient Driver Training

Trucking firms frequently pay novice drivers to take trucking courses and quickly put them out on the road after the course is completed. Not only do these new hires make less per mile than their more experienced counterparts, they also lack the experience required to safely drive large commercial trucks, especially in challenging weather conditions.

Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers work long hours. Many of them have tight delivery deadlines and are compensated according to mileage achieved. This emphasis on long distance and rigid schedules clashes with federal law (which imposes hourly driving limits and requires drivers to take periodic breaks) and can easily cause even veteran drivers to become fatigued.

Distracted Driving

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 88{e567d5ec54745fd9bde8665c28b231f91ee2028ed6aa034480ac91952ee72ee9} of truck-related crashes are due to driver error. Truckers are more prone to distracted driving because of their long workdays and the exhausting demands of controlling such large commercial vehicles. Like other drivers, they can also be distracted by illegal cellphone use, tuning the radio, and even eating and drinking behind the wheel.

Truck accidents cause property damage, major injuries, and even death. If you were hurt in an accident attributable to driver or company negligence, contact the Sharp Firm right away. We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to helping you obtain compensation for your injuries.

By Lance Sharp 13 Jun, 2018
Lower back problems are a common injury people can experience following an auto accident. It’s important to know what to look for so you can get the right treatment. You also want to legally protect yourself. Symptoms of a lower back injury The back is highly susceptible to injury after a person experiences sudden movement (jerking) and/or […] The post Experiencing lower back pain after an auto accident appeared first on The Sharp Firm.
By Lance Sharp 22 Apr, 2018
After a car or motorcycle accident occurs, a lot of commotion typically results as passerby, police, ambulances and/or tow trucks arrive on the scene. At first, you may not know what to do. You might also feel confused or frightened. These are normal feelings, but it’s important to try to not to panic and be […] The post What to do in the aftermath of a auto accident appeared first on The Sharp Firm.
By Lance Sharp 22 Mar, 2018
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, this can have a significant and frightening impact on your life. While nothing can change what has happened, you do have legal options that can help to make your life less stressful. In cases of personal injury, you […] The post What legal options do I have after a car accident injury? appeared first on The Sharp Firm.
By Lance Sharp 19 Feb, 2018
Roughly 80% of motorcycle accidents result in serious injury across the United States. Comparatively, only 20% of car crashes will lead to severe injuries or death. The National Traffic Safety Administration reports that you are up to 26 times more likely to be killed while riding a motorcycle than in a passenger vehicle. There is very little protecting you […] The post What are the top injuries caused in a motorcycle crash? appeared first on The Sharp Firm.
By Lance Sharp 23 Jan, 2018
What are the proper steps to take after you have been in an auto accident? See below for a quick rundown of the proper steps to take.   Share this Image On Your Site

Please include attribution to https://sharpfirm.com with this graphic.

’What

By Lance Sharp 09 Jan, 2018
Medical malpractice cases are often complex – they require thorough investigation, expert testimony (in most states), and can take a lot of time to resolve. Before a medical malpractice case even begins, it is imperative to select a skilled, experienced attorney to guide you through your case. A. – Preliminary Investigation Your attorney will need to collect […] The post The Five Stages of a Medical Malpractice Case appeared first on The Sharp Firm.
By Lance Sharp 02 Jan, 2018
Would you believe nearly 64% of fatal vehicle crashes occur while traveling in a straight line? It was hard to believe until we viewed the statistics ourselves. See below for the full information. Source: https://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx Share this Image On Your Site



Please include attribution to https://sharpfirm.com with this graphic.



By Lance Sharp 29 Nov, 2017
Texas law contains a protection mechanism to prevent stale claims from being litigated. It is called the statute of limitations. This places a time limit on when an action may be filed. It is based on the date of the incident and for most personal injury claims, it is two years. Most of the time, […] The post Medical Malpractice in Texas: Statute of Limitations appeared first on The Sharp Firm.
By Lance Sharp 15 Nov, 2017
If you are involved in a car, truck or motorcycle accident, you may have friends who insist that you can handle your claim on your own. This overlooks the advantages a personal injury attorney offers in the administration of your claim. When you hire an attorney for these matters you enjoy: Legal expertise. You will […] The post Why Hire a Personal Injury Attorney? appeared first on The Sharp Firm.
By Lance Sharp 20 Oct, 2017
Adults have the right to enjoy a drink in Texas, but when they become intoxicated (visibly or otherwise), Texas bars and other drinking establishments are legally required to stop serving them. Not all places do, either because the server fails to realize that their customer has had too much or they’re more concerned about the […] The post Dram Shop Liability: Who Should I Sue in a Drunk Driving Accident? appeared first on The Sharp Firm.
More Posts
Share by: