Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Houston, Texas

trucks parked in houston, texas

Truck accidents happen every day in America, and due to the size of semi-trucks compared to passenger vehicles, these accidents are often catastrophic. The National Safety Council (NSC) noted that large trucks were involved in a total of 5,837 fatal crashes in the United States in a single recent year. Tragically, many of these accidents are the result of the same handful of causes.

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we understand how to pursue these claims and get results. We’ve recovered over $1 billion for our clients, including victims of trucking collisions. To learn more about how we can help after a truck accident, contact our firm to schedule a free case review.

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Driver-Related Causes of Truck Accidents

Many truck accidents result from a mistake made on the truck driver’s part. These are common causes of truck accidents, and they include:

  • Fatigue – Fatigue impairs judgment, delays reaction times, and can cause drivers to fall asleep behind the wheel. Commercial drivers are at particular risk of driving while too tired to do so safely, as their jobs keep them on the road for long hours and at odd times of the day. Federal regulations set strict limits on how long a truck driver can operate their vehicle and when they must take breaks. Unfortunately, despite these rules, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that about 13 percent of truck accidents involve a fatigued driver.
  • Distracted driving – According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control, distracted driving is doing anything that can take a driver’s attention away from operating their motor vehicle. The three main kinds of distracted driving are cognitive, manual, or visual. Cognitive distraction is taking one’s mind off the task of driving, such as thinking about plans for the day or simply zoning out. Manual distraction is taking one’s hands off of the steering wheel. Visual distraction is taking one’s eyes off the road, even briefly.
  • Speeding – To paraphrase the old saying, speed can kill. The S. Department of Transportation reported that there were nearly 329,000 injuries and 12,330 fatalities in speeding-related crashes in America in a single recent year. Driving above the posted speed limit, especially for extended periods of time, can make it difficult for a driver to react to adverse conditions, such as inclement weather or obstacles in the road. The FMCSA found that about 23 percent of truck accidents involved driving too fast for conditions.
  • Reckless driving – Reckless driving is consciously operating a vehicle in a way that puts a driver, their passengers, and anyone else that they share a roadway with at risk. Examples of reckless driving include running stop signs or red lights, texting and driving, racing other vehicles, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Alcohol consumption – Drinking and driving are never a good mix. Alcohol can lower a driver’s ability to pay attention to the road and traffic conditions around them and impair their ability to react to adverse conditions, such as snow, ice, hail, or obstacles like tree branches, rocks, or debris on the roadway. The NSC estimates that about a third of all traffic deaths are the result of drunk driving.

Truck-Related Mechanical Failures

Mechanical elements that may play a role in a truck accident are:

  • Brake failure – Failed brakes can make it impossible for even an attentive driver to prevent an accident. Truck brake pads and brakes should be checked regularly and repaired or replaced when necessary. The FMCSA found that brake problems were present in 29 percent of all truck accidents.
  • Tire blowouts – Tire blowouts are caused by a tire puncture, uneven tire tread, heat, tires that are underinflated or overinflated, or defects in the tires themselves. Tire problems were cited in 6 percent of truck accidents, per the FMCSA.
  • Steering and suspension issues – Truck springs, shocks, and struts should be inspected at least once a year. Any issues can be addressed immediately to prevent possible problems.

Cargo-Related Causes of Truck Accidents

Sometimes, cargo issues can cause or contribute to a truck accident. Examples include:

  • Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Trucks – Semis and other trucks that haul goods should be loaded carefully to ensure the cargo is balanced and will not shift in transit. However, there may be times when a driver has a shipment that’s either far more or far less than they expected or has not been appropriately stowed. Both state and federal regulations govern how much weight a vehicle may carry and how cargo should be loaded onto it.
  • Hazardous Material Transportation – You may have noticed semis that have a hazardous material warning sign on them. That indicates that they’re carrying materials that could be dangerous, such as chemicals, alcohol, ammunition, solvents, paint, radioactive material and fuel, for example. These materials could exacerbate the consequences of a collision if they’re released into the atmosphere or spilled onto the roadway.

Road and Environmental Factors

Certain environmental and road factors can play a role in commercial vehicle accidents. Some of the most common examples are:

  • Poor weather conditions – Weather can often impact travel. Snow, ice, rain, wind, and fog may make driving difficult, if not impossible. There may be instances where certain roadways are closed or impassible due to high winds, snow, heavy fog that limits visibility, severe storms, or flooding. Truck drivers must pay attention to these conditions, adjust their driving habits accordingly, and pull over as necessary to avoid a truck crash.
  • Poor road conditions – Potholes, uneven surfaces, lack of proper signage, and other unsafe road conditions can make it difficult for truck drivers to maintain control of their vehicles. Truck drivers should take particular caution in these conditions. At the same time, government entities should prioritize repairing damaged roadways and ensuring drivers are provided with necessary traffic signs.
  • Other drivers’ negligence – The reality is that truck drivers are professionals, and they generally adhere to higher standards as a result. Unfortunately, most of the people on the road are amateur drivers who are headed to work, running errands, or going on trips. These drivers are more likely to make careless mistakes like becoming distracted, forgetting to signal, or running traffic signals.

Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in Houston?

As a general rule, anyone who contributes to a truck accident in Houston could be financially liable for injuries and property damage that other people suffer as a result. These parties might include any of the following members of the trucking industry:

  • The truck driver – As the person most responsible for operating their vehicle safely, the truck driver could be most immediately liable for negligent behaviors like speeding, tailgating, or failing to yield.
  • The trucking carrier – The company the driver works for could be responsible for improper training, inadequate vehicle maintenance, or pressuring drivers to violate regulations.
  • The vehicle manufacturer – The company that built the truck could be liable if a design or manufacturing defect contributed to the accident.
  • Cargo loaders – Third-party shippers or agents could be to blame if improper cargo loading or securement made the truck unsafe to operate.
  • Maintenance providers – Mechanics might be to blame for faulty repairs or lack of maintenance that caused the vehicle to malfunction and cause truck accident injuries.
  • Government entities – Cities or state departments of transportation might be responsible if poor road design, maintenance, or signage contributed to the accident.
  • Other drivers – In some cases, truck accidents are primarily the fault of unsafe behavior by other road users, in which case these parties could be primarily liable.

Legal Options for Truck Accident Victims in Houston

Victims of truck accidents in Houston can hold negligent parties accountable for the harm they suffered as a result, including:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and diminished earning potential
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Reduced quality of life

Generally, getting this money means filing an insurance claim against that party. Trucks operating strictly within Texas must have at least $300,000 in bodily injury liability insurance if they weigh 26,000 pounds or less and $500,000 if they weigh 26,001 pounds or more. However, trucks that are engaged in interstate commerce must have at least $750,000 in insurance.

Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance carriers are not always eager to pay what victims deserve in a truck accident claim. In fact, they’ve been known to play hardball with accident victims, offering them pennies on the dollar or looking for technicalities that provide them with cover to deny claims entirely. In these cases, victims need help from an experienced truck accident attorney to negotiate for a fair settlement or even file a lawsuit against the liable parties.

Contact our Houston, Texas Truck Accident Lawyers Today

Have you been hurt in a truck accident in Houston? If so, the board-certified attorneys at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs are here to help you demand fair compensation for what you’ve suffered.

Our firm has been in business for several decades and boasts a long history of multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements. Our lead attorney and founding partner, Tommy Fibich, has handled accident cases for 50 years, and three of our attorneys have received board certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. These credentials speak to the high quality of the representation we offer our clients.

Contact us now for a free consultation with an experienced Houston truck accident attorney, and let us pursue the money you need to rebuild your life.