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(281) 587-1111
(281) 587-1111
Truck accidents in Texas can have devastating consequences, often resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities. If you have been injured in a truck accident in Houston, TX, you may wonder what caused the crash. Understanding the common causes of these accidents is crucial for both drivers and victims seeking justice. Many factors can contribute to truck accidents in Texas, including its extensive road network and high traffic volume. The truck accident lawyer at Baumgartner Law Firm lists the top causes of truck accidents in the Lone Star State.
Our top-rated Houston 18-wheeler accident attorney has helped victims secure the maximum compensation for over 40 years.
will discuss your case with Houston’s leading truck accident lawyer.
For over 35 years, the Baumgartner Law Firm has been protecting the rights of truck accident victims. In your case, one of the first things we will do is determine who is at fault and why. Texas is a fault state, which requires that we prove negligence by the truck driver, trucking company, or some third party. To win a lawsuit against a truck driver, one must prove fault.
After studying truck accidents for 40 years, we found the most common causes of big truck accidents in Texas.
Read More: What does a truck accident lawyer do?
Professional truck drivers are required to undergo specialized training and must adhere to strict safety regulations. Yet driver error is the leading cause of injury in truck wrecks. Most car accidents occur due to driver mistakes, such as following too closely or not paying attention.
Truck drivers often drive tired due to long hours, busy schedules, and tight deadlines, pushing themselves to their limits. Fatigue can impair their judgment, slow their reaction time, and increase the likelihood of accidents. Logbooks are required to keep track of hours for truckers.
Truck drivers can become distracted by activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio. These distractions can increase the likelihood of accidents. With larger vehicles, such as trucks, the consequences of distracted driving can be catastrophic.
Because semi-trucks require much longer to stop, keeping a proper lookout is vital to avoiding rear-end crashes. Failing to watch the blind spots and changing lanes also causes many collisions.
Excessive speed is a significant factor in many truck accidents. Due to their size and weight, trucks require more time to stop, making high-speed situations especially dangerous. Speeding makes it harder for truck drivers to react to traffic changes and increases the severity of crashes. Obtaining the black box, also known as the event data recorder, is crucial if speeding is suspected following a truck crash.
Neglecting regular maintenance and failing to address mechanical issues can lead to truck accidents. Problems with brakes, tires, lights, or steering can cause accidents. These issues may result in losing control of the vehicle. This can lead to a serious accident. Negligent maintenance is a big problem in Texas. Big rigs that are not in safe operating condition should be taken out of service and not driven until they are safe.
Truck drivers must inspect their vehicles for safety issues daily. Trucking companies must ensure that inspections are conducted and any issues are addressed and fixed.
Truck drivers require specialized training to operate these large vehicles safely and efficiently. Lack of proper training can lead to poor decision-making, improper handling of the truck, and an increased risk of accidents. Our experienced semi-truck accident attorney also closely examines the training the driver has received. We have handled numerous cases in which the trucking company’s negligence in hiring the driver was an issue.
Overloading a truck or improperly distributing the cargo’s weight can harm the truck’s stability and maneuverability. This can lead to rollovers, jackknifes, or cargo spilling onto the road, causing accidents. Baumgartner Law Firm has helped many truck drivers who were injured in a rollover accident.
Driving a truck under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a dangerous and illegal practice. Impaired judgment, slower reflexes, and decreased coordination can all contribute to truck accidents. Truckers must get drug tested after fatal accidents or if they were cited with a violation for causing the wreck.
Texas is renowned for its unpredictable weather, characterized by heavy rain, fog, and high winds. These adverse weather conditions can make truck driving more challenging, increasing the risk of accidents. The regulations require a driver to stop driving if the conditions require it.
Truck accidents often occur when the driver has vehicle issues and stops on the side of the road to park the truck. The safety regulations specify actions the truck driver must follow to prevent a crash. When the driver fails to follow the rules, accidents occur.
Breaking traffic rules, such as running red lights or changing lanes improperly, can contribute to truck accidents. Truck drivers must follow all traffic and safety regulations to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
If you have been in a truck accident in Texas, it is important to get help from a top personal injury lawyer in Houston. A skilled attorney will thoroughly investigate the accident. They will gather evidence and fight for your rights. This will help you receive full damages.
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In Texas, truck accidents are a common occurrence on our roads. Our state has a lot of commercial trucks and highways. Drivers need to be aware of the common types of truck accidents. This knowledge will help them stay safe while driving.
A rear-end collision is one of Texas’s most common types of truck accidents. This occurs when a truck crashes into the back of another vehicle. Because commercial trucks are large and heavy, these accidents can cause serious injuries or even death.
Jackknife accidents happen when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming a 90-degree angle with the truck cab. This can occur due to sudden braking, slippery road conditions, or driver error. Jackknife accidents are particularly dangerous as they can block multiple lanes of traffic and involve multiple vehicles.
Underride collisions happen when a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer of a truck. These accidents are often catastrophic, as the top of the smaller vehicle can be sheared off upon impact. Underride collisions can occur when a truck suddenly stops or a smaller vehicle fails to maintain a safe distance.
Rollover accidents are very dangerous. They can cause serious injuries or deaths for the truck driver and other vehicles involved.
Factors like speeding, sharp turns, or uneven roads can contribute to these accidents. Factors like speeding, sharp turns, or uneven roads can contribute to these accidents.
Wide turn accidents occur when a truck driver fails to make a correct turn. This causes the truck to swing out and collide with other vehicles or objects. These accidents are often the result of driver error or negligence and can lead to significant damage and injuries.
A common type of truck accident is a left-turn crash. In this type of accident, a truck driver typically fails to yield the right of way, resulting in the accident. Left-turn crashes often result in a T-bone collision.
Tire blowouts can cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle, leading to an accident. The sudden loss of tire pressure can cause the truck to veer into other lanes or even roll over. Tire blowouts can occur due to improper tire maintenance or manufacturing defects.
Trucks have large blind spots, or “no-zones,” where drivers cannot see other vehicles. Accidents can happen when truck drivers change lanes or merge without checking their blind spots. These accidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities for drivers in smaller vehicles.
When cargo is improperly secured or loaded, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unbalanced. This can lead to the truck tipping over or losing control, resulting in an accident. Load shift accidents can be caused by improper loading techniques or inadequate cargo securing.
If you have been in a truck accident in Texas, it is important to get help from a good personal injury lawyer. They can help you navigate the complex legal process.
Driver fatigue is a significant contributing factor to truck accidents in Texas. Tired truck drivers have slower reactions, focus less, and make poorer decisions, increasing the likelihood of accidents. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents, responsible for approximately 13% of all commercial motor vehicle crashes.
Truck drivers may not get enough sleep due to long hours, tight schedules, and demanding delivery deadlines while on the road. Fatigue can come from many things. These include not getting enough sleep, untreated sleep disorders, long work hours without breaks, and irregular sleep patterns.
Tired truck drivers are a significant cause of crashes each year. These crashes result in property damage, medical expenses, and lost productivity in the industry. Preventing truck accidents in Texas starts with holding drivers and motor carriers accountable for breaking the rules.
To prevent tired drivers, the FMCSA has implemented rules limiting the amount of time truck drivers can drive without resting. HOS rules make sure truck drivers get enough rest and sleep to drive safely.
However, despite these regulations, driver fatigue remains a significant contributor to truck accidents in Texas. Driver fatigue has a big impact. It makes it hard for truck drivers to react quickly and make good decisions while driving. This can lead to devastating consequences for the truck driver and other motorists sharing the road.
Truck drivers are often under pressure to meet tight deadlines and cover long distances within a limited timeframe. As a result, many drivers compromise on sleep and rest, which can lead to fatigue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving is responsible for thousands of accidents and fatalities each year.
One of the first issues we investigate after a truck crash is the driver’s working hours. We have found numerous cases of drivers falsifying their hours. They drove when they were not allowed to operate a big rig.
Yes, hiring a lawyer when filing a lawsuit after a crash involving a semi-truck is highly recommended. Handling personal injury cases from truck accidents can be complicated. Hiring a skilled truck accident lawyer can significantly increase your chances of winning. Hire an expert truck accident attorney ASAP to improve your chances of winning.
The laws for truck accident claims are similar to those for car accidents. However, the legal process for truck accidents is quite different. One important point is that commercial trucking companies often have their adjusters. They may also self-insure for a large amount. This means that a significant portion of the damages awarded in a lawsuit may be covered by the company’s funds. As a result, these companies diligently scrutinize lawsuits for weaknesses, aiming to avoid payouts whenever possible.
An attorney will play a crucial role in determining the truck driver’s employment status in the accident. It’s essential to demonstrate that the driver was employed by the trucking company and not as a contractor. Also, check if extra insurance can cover the claims.
It’s a good idea to consult with a lawyer who specializes in truck accidents. They can help you navigate the legal system and deal with any difficulties or problems that may arise. Truck accident lawyers with experience can help you get the compensation you deserve by building a strong case for you.
Our truck accident attorney has handled lawsuits against truck drivers and trucking companies for over 35 years. We have represented hundreds of victims of collisions with semi-trucks and other commercial vehicle accidents. Throughout all that time, we have remained UNDEFEATED in truck accident cases.
Put your trust in a peer-reviewed, preeminent-rated trucking accident attorney who will treat you like family.
Since 1985, Baumgartner Law Firm has limited our law practice to serious personal injury cases. Our lawyers have helped many accident victims obtain the maximum compensation possible. They have recovered millions for people like you. The practice areas we focus on are the following:
Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy
Houston, Texas 77069
(281) 587-1111
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