Trucking is an industry that allows companies to transport goods across our great state and nation. When driving on roads and highways, you’ve likely had to share the lanes with large trucks that tower over your regular motor vehicle. This can be intimidating, even when you know that truck drivers have more training and certifications than regular drivers.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t make mistakes. When a truck driver or another party causes a wreck that inflicts injuries and other damages for you, you could use the help of an Austin, TX truck accident lawyer from Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm. You’re likely suffering from catastrophic injuries that could change your life, which is why we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Texas Semi Truck Accident Statistics
When it comes to tractor trailers, they’re more likely to cause fatal accidents with regular sized passenger vehicles because their size and weight are much larger than other cars. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), large trucks are up to 30 times heavier than regular cars, which causes accidents between the two to often be catastrophic.
In these collisions, the occupants of passenger vehicles are in more danger of suffering severe injuries and dying. IIHS reports that in fatal semi wrecks, 67 percent of fatalities are the passengers of regular vehicles, and 16 percent of the deaths are the truck drivers. While tractor trailer crashes are dangerous for everyone, they’re significantly more fatal for the people in normal cars.
In Texas, there were 546 total fatal wrecks involving Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV), and 616 deaths resulting from those accidents. On top of that, there were over 3,000 crashes causing injuries, and nearly 5,000 injuries reported from those collisions. In Travis County alone, there were 17 fatalities and 146 injuries.
Being around commercial trucks can be extremely intimidating, especially knowing how dangerous an accident can be if a truck driver loses control. Even if you’re extra careful around them, you still could end up in a collision with a semi. When that happens, our Austin, TX truck accident attorney is here to help you.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Austin, TX
It’s important to know the different possible causes of semi truck wrecks so that you can avoid them as best as possible. However, no matter how aware you are of the causes of collisions, you still might not be able to avoid them. Here are the most common causes that lawyers see in truck accident claims:
- Blind Spots. There are blind spots surrounding a tractor trailer that can be dangerous if a truck changes lanes or needs to stop quickly. When a car sits for too long in a truck’s blind spot, or if they quickly enter that zone without the trucker seeing them, this could lead to a collision.
- Getting Cut Off. Trucks need up to 40 percent more room than regular cars to come to a complete stop. When they’re cut off, they can get into accidents because they don’t have enough room to stop before crashing into the vehicles in front of them.
- Speeding. Driving too quickly shortens the amount of time drivers have to react to the cars around them. When trucks speed, they could lose control of the rig and get into a serious crash. When other drivers speed, trucks could crash into them because they don’t see them in time.
- Driver Error. Even though they’re trained and licensed to drive large trucks, truckers can still make errors behind the wheel. Distractions, mistakes, and other errors can lead to accidents, just like regular drivers can make errors that lead to collisions.
- Driver Fatigue. Excessive fatigue is especially prevalent in truckers because they pull their trailers for long periods of time. Even though there are limitations and regulations for how long of a stretch they can drive in a row, that doesn’t mean they’re getting fully rested in their break. If a trucker is too tired they can fall asleep at the wheel or make other mistakes.
- Bad Roads. Whether there’s construction and the roads are ripped up, there’s objects in the road, or the weather is affecting road conditions, bad roads could cause drivers of trucks and other vehicles to lose control and crash. In this situation, if a driver is following the rules, other parties could be at fault for the accident, like government entities.
- Part Malfunction. Even if a driver fully inspects their trailer and thinks their rig is safe and up to regulation, the parts on it could end up malfunctioning. When certain parts are defective, it can cause deadly crashes. Parts like brakes, tires, and axles could have a malfunction that seriously affects your handling.
- Overloaded or Unevenly Loaded Trailer. Trailers should be loaded evenly and within the limitations for weight. There are certain regulations for big rigs that outline how much weight can be on each axle, and when that’s exceeded, it can cause accidents. When the goods are unevenly loaded in the back of the trailer, they can cause the truck to tip and overturn.
There are so many different situations that can lead to collisions between commercial trucks and smaller vehicles. When you hire our Austin, TX truck accident lawyer, one of the first things they’ll do is look into what caused your crash so that they can determine who was liable. That way, you can hold the responsible party accountable for their actions or negligence.
Our Austin, TX Truck Accident Attorney Will Fight for Your Rights
Tractor trailer wrecks can leave you with catastrophic injuries that completely change your life, or they could end in the tragic death of your loved one. The costs associated with your injuries shouldn’t be your responsibility when you weren’t the one who caused the tragic event. When you have our Austin, TX truck accident lawyer on your side, you can feel confident that you’ll recover what you’re owed financially.
By looking at the documentation of your injuries and other damages, our attorneys at Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm can calculate exactly what you’re owed so that you don’t settle for any less than you deserve. Reach out to our office today so that we can discuss your options and get started on your truck accident claim.
