Truck accidents in Texas can have devastating consequences. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles, collisions often result in serious injuries or fatalities. Families and victims often ask, “How could this happen?” Understanding the common causes of truck accidents can help survivors make sense of these tragedies and protect their legal rights.
At Tracey Fox & Walters, our Houston truck accident attorneys have decades of experience investigating commercial truck crashes. We work closely with accident victims and their families to determine the cause of the wreck, whether it was driver fatigue, improper cargo, or company negligence. Knowing the potential sources of liability is the first step toward pursuing compensation for injuries, lost wages, and other damages.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents in Texas. Long hours behind the wheel can reduce reaction times, impair judgment, and increase the likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel. Commercial drivers are required to follow federal hours-of-service rules set by the FMCSA, limiting how long they can drive without rest. Fatigued drivers may swerve, miss traffic signals, or fail to notice hazards in time to avoid a collision.
Fatigue-related crashes can often be linked to employer pressure to meet delivery deadlines or improper scheduling. Attorneys can review driver logs, GPS data, and black box information to determine whether fatigue played a role in your accident.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding and aggressive driving dramatically increase the risk of serious truck collisions. Speeding often contributes to higher-impact collisions, which can lead to severe injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and internal injuries. High speeds reduce the time a driver has to react and make stopping distances much longer.
Reckless driving may include tailgating, unsafe passing, or ignoring traffic signals. Black box data can show whether a truck was traveling over the posted speed limit or accelerating recklessly.
Distracted Driving Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving is another major contributor to truck accidents. Distractions may include texting, using a GPS, adjusting controls, or talking to passengers.
Even a few seconds of inattention can cause catastrophic results for a commercial truck, given its weight and size. Investigators often examine cell phone records and dashcam footage to determine if distraction played a role.
Poor Truck Maintenance and Equipment Failure
Mechanical problems can cause trucks to lose control or fail to stop in time. Common equipment issues include brake failure, tire blowouts, steering problems, and defective lights. Things like brake failure or worn tires can make a high-speed truck impossible to control.
Examining maintenance records can reveal whether a trucking company neglected regular inspections. Evidence of poor maintenance may point to company liability in addition to driver responsibility.
Overloaded or Improperly Secured Cargo
Improper cargo loading is a frequent but often overlooked cause of truck crashes. Overloaded or unsecured cargo can shift, causing the truck to tip or lose balance. Shifting cargo can force sudden maneuvers or jackknife the truck. Loose materials can even fall into traffic, creating hazards for other drivers.
Our attorneys can analyze weight logs, shipping manifests, and cargo restraints to determine if improper loading contributed to the accident.
Aggressive Lane Changes and Blind Spots
Trucks have large blind spots, and unsafe lane changes can lead to devastating collisions. Even minor miscalculations can result in side-impact crashes or vehicles being “squeezed” off the road. That’s why proper driver training is crucial to prevent lane-change accidents.
At Tracey Fox & Walters, our team can look at dashcam footage and witness statements to reconstruct the truck’s movements.
Drug or Alcohol Use by Truck Drivers
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and extremely dangerous. Impairment slows reaction times, reduces coordination, and affects judgment. DOT regulations require regular drug and alcohol testing for commercial drivers. Violations may indicate negligence on the part of the driver and the trucking company if screening procedures were ignored.
Lack of Driver Training or Experience
Inexperienced drivers or those lacking adequate training are more likely to make errors that result in accidents. These may include misjudging stopping distances, failing to secure cargo, or responding improperly to road hazards.
Our attorneys can examine whether the company prioritized speed over safety in hiring practices. We will also analyze driver employment records that may reveal inadequate training.
Violations of FMCSA Safety Regulations
Federal regulations exist to protect the public from unsafe trucking operations. Violations may include exceeding hours-of-service limits, neglecting inspections, or failing to follow cargo-securement rules. Evidence of violations can strengthen a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
Unsafe Weather or Road Conditions
While weather and road conditions are outside a driver’s control, improper precautions can turn challenging conditions into disasters. Trucks may skid on wet roads, lose control in icy conditions, or collide due to poor visibility. Investigators consider whether drivers adjusted speed and followed safety protocols; failure to exercise reasonable caution in bad weather may indicate negligence.
Trucking Company Negligence
Trucking companies have a duty to maintain safe vehicles, train drivers, and comply with all federal and state laws. Negligence can include:
- Failing to maintain trucks or perform inspections
- Overloading vehicles or ignoring safety limits
- Pressuring drivers to exceed hours-of-service regulations
Corporate responsibility is often a critical element in cases involving serious injuries or fatalities.
Third-Party Liability in Texas Truck Accidents
Sometimes, parties beyond the truck driver or company may contribute to a crash, including:
- Cargo loaders and shippers
- Vehicle manufacturers for defective parts
- Government entities responsible for unsafe roads
Tracing third-party liability can uncover additional compensation avenues for victims.
Common Injuries in Commercial Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Road rash and soft tissue injuries
Understanding the severity of injuries helps attorneys calculate fair compensation and ensure victims receive proper care.
How We Investigate the Cause of Your Crash
Tracey Fox & Walters takes a thorough approach when investigating truck accidents, combining evidence from multiple sources to determine what happened and who may be liable. This careful investigation is crucial for building strong personal injury or wrongful death claims. Our process includes:
- Reviewing police reports and witness statements to understand the sequence of events and identify conflicting accounts.
- Analyzing truck GPS and black box data to verify speed, braking, and driver behavior leading up to the crash.
- Examining maintenance and inspection records to uncover potential mechanical failures or overlooked repairs.
- Consulting accident reconstruction experts who can recreate the crash and provide professional opinions on how it occurred.
By using these resources, Tracey Fox & Walters can pinpoint causes, assign responsibility, and provide critical support for victims and families seeking fair compensation.
What to Do If You Suspect Negligence Caused the Wreck
If you suspect a truck accident was caused by driver or company negligence, act quickly:
- Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.
- Preserve evidence, including photographs and videos of the crash scene.
- Collect contact information for witnesses and other drivers.
- Report the accident to your insurance company and obtain a copy of the police report.
- Contact a Texas truck accident lawyer to review your case.
Legal Options for Victims and Families
Victims of truck accidents may have the right to pursue claims against multiple parties, depending on who was responsible for the crash:
- At-fault drivers: If the truck driver was negligent, by speeding, driving while fatigued, or distracted, victims can hold them personally accountable for damages.
- Trucking companies: Companies can be liable if they failed to properly train drivers, neglected maintenance, violated federal safety regulations, or pressured drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits.
- Third parties: In some cases, manufacturers, shippers, or loading companies may share liability. For example, a defective brake system, improperly loaded cargo, or hazardous road conditions caused by a subcontractor could contribute to the accident.
The types of compensation victims may pursue often include:
- Medical expenses: Both current and future costs related to treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
- Lost wages: Income lost due to injury, time off work, or long-term disability.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Wrongful death damages: In fatal accidents, families may seek damages for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support.
By identifying all potentially liable parties and pursuing every available avenue for recovery, victims and families can maximize their chances of obtaining full and fair compensation.
Why You Need an Attorney After a Truck Crash
Truck accident cases are often more complex than standard car accidents. Factors such as federal safety regulations, multiple parties who may share liability, and the severe nature of many injuries make pursuing a claim challenging. The truck accident attorneys at Tracey Fox & Walters play a crucial role in helping victims protect their rights and recover fair compensation.
We can:
- Investigate the accident thoroughly: This includes reviewing police reports, witness statements, truck GPS and black box data, maintenance and inspection records, and any relevant video footage. A thorough investigation helps identify all responsible parties.
- Coordinate with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists: Tracey Fox & Walters works with professionals to understand the causes of the crash and the full extent of injuries, which strengthens claims for damages.
- Negotiate with insurers and trucking companies: The firm advocates for clients, ensuring insurance companies and trucking firms do not undervalue claims or deny responsibility.
- Represent clients in court if necessary: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, Tracey Fox & Walters is prepared to take the case to trial, presenting evidence and arguments to secure maximum compensation.
Working with our attorneys significantly increases the likelihood of obtaining full compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Our team provides guidance at every stage of the process, helping victims focus on recovery while legal matters are handled efficiently.
Contact Our Texas Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Houston or anywhere in Texas, contact us today at (713) 495-2333 for your free, confidential consultation. Our attorneys will explain your rights and help you take the necessary steps to pursue compensation. Serious injuries and fatalities deserve thorough investigation and skilled legal representation, and our team is here to fight for justice on your behalf.
