Truck accidents are serious events that can cause significant property damage and severe and fatal injuries. If you are involved in a Corpus Christi truck accident, you may wonder what to do and your options.
At The Burkett Law Firm, we recommend contacting our top-rated truck accident lawyers for assistance with your case. You can count on our attorneys to help with all aspects of your claim and negotiate a fair settlement.
Unfortunately, truck accidents across Texas are increasing. Because of their prevalence, it is important to know some of the causes. Understanding what causes these accidents can help you protect yourself when driving around them. Remaining diligent and aware of your surroundings is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
Keep reading to learn why truck accidents are increasing in Texas. If you are involved in an accident, contact our legal team for help.
Causes of Increased Truck Accidents in Texas
Several factors have contributed to the increase in serious and fatal truck accidents in Texas and nationwide. Some of the most problematic factors that have increased truck accidents include the following:
Driver Shortages
Even though pay for truck drivers in Texas is increasing, trucking companies still struggle to fill vacant positions. The shortage of drivers has caused delivery delays, which impacts customers and the company’s financial security.
Trucking companies are feeling the pressure, which puts pressure on drivers. Because of the shortage of properly trained and experienced drivers, many trucking companies send inexperienced drivers to make deliveries. This increases the potential of accidents significantly. Additionally, all drivers are pressured to meet tight and unrealistic deadlines. Some companies even encourage drivers to ignore the hours-of-service requirements.
High-Speed Limits
Texas is known for a lot of things. It is also known for having the highest speed limit in the U.S. at 85 miles per hour. While this is exclusive to one stretch of roadway, other high-speed limits exist throughout the state.
Even with high-speed limits, truck, and car drivers exceed what is posted to reach their destination faster.
However, if an emergency occurs, trucks need more space and time to stop than passenger vehicles. While internal speed limiters and automatic braking systems could help improve truck safety, neither is required for trucks operating in the United States.
Distracted and Fatigued Drivers
Truck drivers often drive long distances many days in a row. Because of this, it is easy for them to become distracted or fatigued while on the road.
Some drivers may try to multitask, which means they are distracted, while others nod off behind the wheel. Unfortunately, both actions can be fatal if an accident occurs.
Issues Related to Truck Maintenance
Driver shortages have created other problems beyond the ones mentioned above. For example, some trucks with serious maintenance issues are sent to make deliveries.
While federal law requires trucking companies to ensure trucks are regularly and properly maintained, this does not always happen due to limited manpower and other issues. When maintenance is ignored or skipped, accidents can occur.
Our legal team understands how dangerous a truck with faulty parts or issues can be. If you are involved in an accident with a truck, we will investigate the cause to determine if poor or lack of maintenance was the cause.
Poor Weather Conditions
Texas has experienced unprecedented weather incidents in recent years. Poor weather conditions can result in slick roads, poor visibility, and other issues that challenge maneuvering large trucks.
If trucks cannot stop in time in poor weather conditions, a multi-car pileup may occur. This can result in serious injuries and the loss of lives.
Improper Loading
Since Texas is in a central location, the second largest state in the U.S., and a hub for a vast amount of exports, imports, and goods, there is no question that commercial 18-wheelers and semi-trucks will remain a fixture on the highways and roads in the area.
While this is true, the increased number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities is worrisome. Another cause of these incidents is the unsafe, negligent, or improper loading of a truck’s cargo. If the load in the truck’s trailer is not distributed or configured properly, or if there is an issue with the positioning and placement of the cargo on the trailer, the load may cause the truck to fail or malfunction while goods are being transported. This presents a serious risk to other drivers on the road.
A common improper loading issue is an “imbalanced load.” This can cause a large truck to fall over. Issues related to improper loading may also occur if the cargo in the trailer is not properly secured. If this happens, the goods may fly off the trailer or fall, hitting other vehicles or blocking traffic.
Let Our Truck Accident Attorneys Help with Your Case
The likelihood of being involved in a truck accident in Texas is high. If you find yourself in this situation, you should call our experienced and knowledgeable truck accident attorneys from The Burkett Law Firm.
We can review the facts of your case and help you recover the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. The aftermath of a truck accident can be confusing and overwhelming. Our legal team is here to help you understand your rights and ensure you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal aspect of your case.
Contact our office to schedule a free initial consultation. During this meeting, we can discuss your situation and needs. You can count on our legal team to represent your best interests and only do what is best for your situation. We are your ally when navigating this challenging situation.