While they may share the road, cars and trucks are very different vehicles when it comes to getting into an accident. On average, there are 500,000 truck-related accidents that occur annually in the United States, of which there are almost 5,000 fatalities. Truck accidents are known to be much more…
Large commercial vehicles, especially 18-wheelers, pose serious dangers on Texas roadways. Commercial trucks cause some of the most serious motor vehicle collisions because of their sheer size, weight, and force; a fully loaded big rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. More than half a million truck accidents occur every year in the United States, leading to over 100,000 injuries. Locally, over 15,000 commercial truck accidents occur each year in Texas, resulting in over 2,000 injuries and almost 300 deaths.
In the transportation industry, time is money, and so truck drivers frequently exceed their maximum permitted driving hours to meet delivery deadlines. This is why they are highly regulated. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) puts forth hundreds of pages of rules for truck drivers that require them to be at least 21 years old, read and speak English, be in good health, and have the skills necessary to safely operate a truck. In addition to the rules for commercial drivers’ license (CDL) holders, federal law imposes standards for many other aspects of trucking, including maintenance, driving hours, and more. Because of all of these rules and regulations, there are a lot of areas in which someone can make a mistake – and that mistake can prove deadly for someone else sharing the road with a big rig.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for A Truck Accident?
While accidents involving two passenger vehicles can be simple to resolve, a crash with a large truck is more complicated because multiple parties will be involved. Only an experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to properly investigate the facts of each collision and identify all potentially responsible parties. Some of the parties who may be held responsible for your truck accident injuries are:
- The truck driver
- A trucking company
- The truck manufacturer
- A broker
- The shipper
- The company that weighed and loaded the trailer
- The recipient of the shipped goods
- A government entity
- An insurance company
A truck accident can be caused by a number of things, including distracted driving, driver fatigue, alcohol and drug use, poor driver training, lack of truck maintenance or improper maintenance, speeding, and the failure to properly secure loads, among other causes. When a truck isn’t properly maintained, it can cause its parts to fail. In fact, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), at least 29% of truck accidents involve brake failure. Truck tires can also have design defects and suffer blowouts, which can cause serious devastation on Texas roads and highways.
Houston Trucking Injury Lawyers
Don’t miss out on the compensation you deserve by waiting too long to contact a Houston truck accident attorney. Our legal team has the knowledge and experience to launch a full investigation into your crash and build a strong case on your behalf. We represent clients throughout the greater Houston area and across Texas, so contact us today for more information and a free consultation with one of our lawyers. You have limited time to act following a truck accident, so don’t delay in reaching out to a lawyer for help.
