Texas Truck Accidents.

The Magnitude of Truck Accidents in Texas

Texas, with its vast network of highways and bustling freight industry, witnesses a significant number of truck accidents every year. The sheer size disparity between semi-trucks and passenger cars exacerbates the severity of these accidents. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, whereas an average passenger car weighs about 3,000 pounds. This enormous difference in weight and size means that collisions often result in catastrophic damage and serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Texas, call 325-455-1889 and speak with a truck accident attorney at The Low Law Firm.

Why Size Matters: The Disparity in Damage

The size and weight of semi-trucks make them particularly dangerous in collisions. Here’s why:

Kinetic Energy: A moving semi-truck has significantly more kinetic energy than a passenger car. This energy translates into greater force during a collision, leading to extensive damage.
Stopping Distance: Trucks require a longer distance to come to a complete stop. In emergencies, this increased stopping distance can result in rear-end collisions with smaller vehicles.
Height and Ground Clearance: The height and ground clearance of trucks can cause underride accidents, where a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer, often leading to fatal outcomes.

Truck Driver Qualifications

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration governs the trucking industry and truck drivers. Truck drivers must meet stringent qualifications to ensure safety on the roads. Some of those qualifications include:

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Drivers must obtain a CDL, which requires passing both knowledge and skills tests.
Medical Examinations: Regular medical examinations ensure that drivers are physically capable of handling the demands of long-haul driving.
Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations: These federal regulations limit the number of hours a driver can be on the road to prevent fatigue-related accidents.

Key Provisions of Federal Motor Carrier Laws

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations are designed to enhance safety in the trucking industry. Key provisions include:

Hours of Service (HOS): Limits driving hours to reduce fatigue-related accidents.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Mandate the use of ELDs to ensure compliance with HOS regulations.
Drug and Alcohol Testing: Requires random testing for substance abuse to ensure drivers are sober and alert.
Vehicle Maintenance: Enforces regular maintenance checks to keep trucks in safe operating condition.

Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can occur in various forms, including:

Oilfield Truck Accidents:These involve collisions commonly associated with trucks used in the oil and gas industry, often transporting heavy equipment, materials, hazardous materials, or personnel to and from drilling sites.

Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, often leading to multi-vehicle collisions.

Rear-End Collisions: Due to longer stopping distances, trucks can rear-end smaller vehicles, causing significant damage.

Under ride Accidents: Smaller vehicles slide under the trailer, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
Rollover Accidents: Trucks can tip over due to high speeds, sharp turns, or improper loading.
Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have large blind spots, and vehicles in these areas are at risk of being hit.
Fatigue related Accidents: Fatigue is a common problem among truck drivers which leads to them falling asleep at the wheel or slowing their reaction times.
Cargo spill Accidents: When cargo is improperly loaded or secured and spills onto the roadway this creates potentially hazardous conditions for other drivers.
Distracted driving Accidents: This is an increasingly main cause of truck accidents in Texas, with the advent of cellular phones, GPS devices and many other things truck drivers are paying less attention to the road and more attention to their devices.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

Due to the severe nature of truck accidents, injuries tend to be serious and can include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Resulting from a strong impact to the head.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Leading to partial or complete paralysis.
Broken Bones: Often multiple fractures requiring extensive medical treatment.
Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs can be life-threatening.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Common in rear-end collisions.

Settling Truck Accident Cases in Texas

Truck accident cases in Texas often result in substantial settlements due to the severity of the injuries and damages involved. Settlements can range significantly, but it’s not uncommon for them to reach six or seven figures. Factors influencing the settlement amount include the extent of injuries, medical expenses, loss of income, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Types of Damages Recoverable

Victims of truck accidents in Texas can recover various types of damages, including:

Economic Damages: Medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and diminished quality of life.
Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the truck driver or trucking company.

According to Truckinfo.net, Texas had the most truck accidents in the country in 2022. Truck accidents in Texas present a unique set of challenges due to the size disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles. Understanding the qualifications required for truck drivers, the key provisions of federal motor carrier laws, the types of accidents that can occur, and the common injuries resulting from these accidents is crucial. Victims of truck accidents should seek legal counsel to navigate the complexities of settlements and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. The Low Law Firm, a trusted Abilene Truck Accident Attorney, can help you or your loved ones if you have been the victim of a Truck Accident in Abilene, Texas.

We are a compassionate firm that understands the devastation caused by these accidents. Call The Low Law Firm in Abilene, Texas to schedule a free consultation for your Texas Truck Accident today (325) 455-1889.