Truck Accidents in Texas

What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Thousands of crashes involving large trucks occur in Texas every year. Truck accidents have many contributing factors, including the following:

• Driver fatigue: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued hours of service regulations that limit how long truck drivers can remain behind the wheel without taking adequate rest breaks. Nevertheless, truckers often drive fatigued, particularly on long hauls, which can lead to poor decision-making, slower reaction times, and more truck accidents. 
• Driver inexperience: A shortage of truck drivers has been a problem in the U.S. for years. Consequently, more trucking companies are hiring inexperienced drivers who may not have the skills yet to handle dangerous situations on the road. 
• Speeding: Truck drivers may be under pressure from their employers to meet delivery deadlines, which can lead to speeding. As large commercial trucks require more time and distance to stop than other vehicles, exceeding the speed limit or traveling too fast for conditions can lead to deadly crashes.
• Distracted driving: Truckers are not immune to driver distractions, which may include eating, cell phone use, and adjusting devices in the cab. Distracted driving is dangerous under any circumstances and even more deadly when a driver is behind the wheel of a semi-tractor-trailer. 
• Mechanical failures: Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining their vehicles in safe operating condition. Negligent maintenance of tires, brakes, and other components of big rigs can result in mechanical failures and catastrophic crashes.
• Improperly loaded cargo: Overloading a truck or improperly securing its cargo can cause it to become unbalanced. This can lead to rollovers, jackknifing, and other serious truck accidents.