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(281) 587-1111
(281) 587-1111
Updated: 11/2024
The majority of deaths from commercial vehicle collisions to passenger cars come from the occupants of the passenger car. Because a car is so much smaller than a big rig, the brunt of a collision usually falls on the passenger car occupants. Size is only one of the differences between car accidents.
Big trucks can easily weigh 20 to 30 times more than a car or pickup truck. The size, coupled with the higher ground clearance terms, led to total destruction of the passenger car in a collision at highway speeds.
Also, because 18 Wheelers take much longer to stop, many accidents occur simply because the big truck cannot stop as quickly as the vehicles in front of it. Because most fatal truck accident occurs on highways or interstates, higher speeds are a fact in many of the fatal truck accidents in Texas.
Despite regulations limiting the number of hours a truck driver may drive his vehicle, tired and distracted drivers are common occurrences in many fatal crashes. Then, many truck drivers cheat on their logbooks to make ends meet financially.
If you have questions about a truck accident case, call Baumgartner Law Firm for experienced legal guidance with a truck accident attorney in Houston, TX. Rules violations by truckers have had a dramatic impact on the average settlement of an 18-wheeler accident.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2023 alone, there have been over 33,909 commercial motor vehicle crashes in the state of Texas, resulting in 620 fatalities and 1,687 serious injuries. These statistics are alarming and demonstrate the need for increased safety measures for both commercial drivers and other motorists.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in 2020, Texas had the highest number of fatal crashes involving large trucks out of all the states in the United States. Texas accounted for 11% of all fatal crashes involving large trucks nationwide. This staggering figure highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement in the state. Texas DOT indicates Houston had the most motor vehicle crashes in the state in 2023.
One of the main causes of truck crashes is driver fatigue. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a study that found that fatigue contributed to 31% of fatal truck crashes. The NTSB also recommended that the FMCSA implement more strict hours-of-service regulations to reduce driver fatigue and improve safety.
Another common cause of truck crashes is distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, distracted driving contributed to 8% of fatal crashes involving large trucks. Both commercial drivers and other motorists must avoid distractions while driving, such as texting, eating, or using a phone.
It is also important to note that truck crashes not only have physical consequences but also financial ones. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that in 2023, the total economic loss due to commercial motor vehicle crashes in Texas was over $4 billion.
In response to these alarming statistics, the Texas Department of Public Safety has implemented programs such as the Texas Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), which provides education, training, and regulation enforcement for commercial drivers. The program also conducts commercial vehicle safety inspections and ensures drivers comply with safety regulations.
Truck crashes in Texas are a serious issue that requires attention from both the government and the public. Commercial drivers need to adhere to safety regulations, avoid distractions, and manage fatigue while driving. For other motorists, it is crucial to be aware of large trucks on the road and to drive defensively. By taking these precautions, we can work towards reducing the number of truck crashes and fatalities in Texas.
Texas leads the nation in fatal truck accidents. In the latest numbers, there were 513 fatal commercial vehicle accidents. In those crashes, 581 people died. Overall, Texas had 32,562 total commercial vehicle accidents last year. Texas accounts for over 13% of all fatal trucking accidents in the United States.
Despite having the worst large truck safety problem in America, Texas lawmakers recently passed a law making it harder for a jury to hear about motor carriers’ wrongdoing and safety violations in truck accident injury lawsuits. Nationally, 97% of all deaths in a trucking accident were passenger vehicle occupants.
Last year, truck accidents in Texas further the state’s reputation as the worst state in America for truck accidents. Here are the facts according to the Texas Department of Transportation:
About ½ of all big truck crashes happen on major highways. At the same time, interstates and freeways accounted for about 1/3 of all trucking crashes. Minor highways accounted for only 15% of fatal big rig accidents. Many of the most deadly highways in Texas run through Houston.
Here are some of the most dangerous intersections in Houston, Texas. Some of the more dangerous highways in Houston include:
Houston has the most tractor-trailer accidents in the state of Texas each year. Unfortunately, Houston is also rated as the deadliest city in the country for fatal trucking accidents. In 2023 alone, the Houston area had over 6,113 commercial vehicle accidents with 40 fatal accidents.
In the latest commercial vehicle accident statistics Houston had:
Texas has led the nation in fatal commercial vehicle accidents for the last ten years. Texas accounts for almost 14% of the deaths in the United States from big truck crashes.
Part of the problem is that Texas has so many miles of the type of highways where most trucking collisions occur. Also, the number of big rigs crossing Texas daily adds to the devastating numbers.
Truck accidents are different from normal car-to-car crashes. Three separate factors contribute to the complexity of a commercial vehicle accident.
First, because of the big rig’s weight, the injury potential is astronomical compared to a car-to-car crash.
Second, because the injuries tend to be severe or even fatal, the stake for the insurance carriers and trucking companies is significant. A court fight is almost inevitable in most severe injury or wrongful death cases to obtain maximum compensation. An exception might be where the trucking company had a single liability policy and no excess coverage with catastrophic injuries by the victim.
Third, the evidence needed to prove liability includes many factors that are not part of a simple car accident case. Professional truck drivers are required to follow stringent safety rules to protect the public. Like pilots, safety rules and laws have been developed for truck drivers and trucking companies because vehicles can do such damage. Trucking company rules and regulations were enacted to protect the public.
Finally, truck accident investigation is much more extensive and detailed than other motor vehicle crashes. Things like mechanical failure may need to be analyzed. A comparison of car accidents with truck crashes shows that trucking collisions are much more deadly. Investigations of tractor-trailer and big truck crashes require the expertise of a lawyer with substantial experience in truck collisions.
Our trucking accident attorneys have been representing catastrophically injured individuals and families who have lost a loved one for over thirty years. We have never lost a truck accident case and have amassed a huge number of multimillion-dollar settlements for our clients.
According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the vast majority of semi-truck crashes in Texas are caused by the following factors:
Also, violations of the FMCSR by either the trucker or motor carrier account for many of the fatal crashes in Texas, although such factors are usually not accounted for in the Texas crash reports.
Our founder attorney, Greg Baumgartner, has over 35 years of experience and has been peer-reviewed preeminent for decades.
Texas has the worst record in the country for fatal truck accidents. Houston leads the state in serious injury and fatal big rig crashes. The trucking accident attorneys at Baumgartner Law Firm have been winning huge settlements in big rig accident cases for over three decades.
We charge no fee unless you get money in your pocket. And never charge for an injury accident consultation.
Don’t settle for less- Hire the best truck accident lawyers! Call us at (281) 587-1111.
Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy
Houston, Texas 77069
(281) 587-1111
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