Common Commercial Vehicle Accident Causes in Texas
Commercial vehicle operators are held to strict federal and state safety standards due to the increased risks their large vehicles pose to others on the road — but liability in trucking accidents can be complex. This is why, if you’ve been injured in a truck accident on Texas roads, understanding what violations may have contributed to your accident can help you determine your next steps.
The most common commercial vehicle accident causes in Texas include:
- Driver fatigue and hours of service violations
- Improper vehicle maintenance and equipment failure
- Distracted driving and mobile phone use
- Improper cargo loading and securing
- Aggressive driving and speeding
- Inadequate driver training and inexperience
- Poor weather conditions and reduced visibility
- Failure to check blind spots during lane changes
At Grimes & Fertitta, our attorneys understand the intricacies of trucking regulations and know how to build strong cases against negligent trucking companies and their insurers. Don’t face this challenging time alone — call us at 713-224-7644 or contact us online for a free consultation about your case.
1. Driver fatigue and hours of service violations
Commercial motor vehicle operators are legally required to follow strict hours-of-service regulations, limiting their driving time to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Unfortunately, driver fatigue remains the most common crash cause for commercial motor vehicles, often due to pressure from employers to meet tight delivery deadlines.
How our attorneys can help: Trucking companies must maintain detailed logbooks documenting their drivers’ hours, and violations of these regulations can strengthen your case. If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident in Texas due to a fatigued driver, a commercial vehicle attorney in Houston can help investigate these logs and build a strong case on your behalf.
2. Improper vehicle maintenance and equipment failure
Commercial vehicle accidents often result from inadequate maintenance, with brake failures and tire blowouts being common factors for crashes in Texas. Federal regulations require trucking companies to perform regular inspections and maintain detailed maintenance records. When these obligations are ignored, catastrophic big rig wrecks can occur.
How our attorneys can help: If you’ve been involved in a UPS truck accident or collision with any other commercial vehicle, maintenance records become critical evidence. The best accident lawyers in Houston, TX know how to obtain and analyze these records to identify maintenance violations that may have contributed to your accident.
3. Distracted driving and mobile phone use
The size and weight of commercial vehicles make them especially dangerous when drivers become distracted. Federal law prohibits commercial drivers from using handheld mobile devices while operating their vehicles, yet distracted driving continues to cause devastating accidents.
How our attorneys can help: When pursuing your case after being injured in a commercial vehicle accident, your car accident attorney can subpoena phone records and electronic logging device data to prove distracted driving. This evidence can be particularly important when dealing with progressive claims or determining whose insurance pays in a multi-car accident.
4. Improper cargo loading and securing
Improperly secured cargo can shift during transport, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Federal regulations specify exact requirements for load securing, and violations of these rules frequently lead to serious accidents.
How our attorneys can help: If you’ve been injured by shifting cargo or an overturned truck, documenting the loading conditions immediately after the accident is going to be important. Your commercial vehicle attorney will work with expert witnesses to analyze loading procedures and identify any violations that contributed to your injuries.
5. Aggressive driving and speeding
Speed is often a major factor in many commercial truck accidents, as these massive vehicles require significantly more distance to stop safely. When truck drivers engage in aggressive behaviors like tailgating or unsafe passing, they put everyone on the road at risk. What is the most common crash for commercial motor vehicles? Rear-end collisions due to factors like following too closely, distracted driving, inadequate braking distance, and sudden traffic slowdowns — all reasons that result from improper driving or fast speeds.
How our attorneys can help: For victims who have been hit by a truck due to aggressive driving, obtaining evidence like dashcam footage, witness statements, and electronic logging device data is essential. Professional accident investigators can help reconstruct the accident to demonstrate how the driver’s behavior contributed to your injuries.
6. Inadequate driver training and inexperience
Commercial vehicle operators must complete extensive training and maintain proper certifications. However, in the face of driver shortages, some companies may cut corners on training or hire inexperienced drivers. When these undertrained drivers cause accidents, both the driver and the company may be held liable.
How our attorneys can help: A thorough investigation of the driver’s training records, certifications, and employment history can reveal whether inadequate training contributed to your accident. An experienced commercial vehicle attorney will know how to obtain and leverage this information to strengthen your case.
7. Poor weather conditions and reduced visibility
While poor weather affects all drivers, commercial vehicle operators have a heightened responsibility to adjust their driving for conditions. Many accidents occur when truck drivers fail to reduce speed or maintain proper following distance in adverse weather.
How our attorneys can help: If you’ve been injured in an accident during poor weather conditions, it’s important to document the weather conditions and any evidence that the truck driver failed to take appropriate precautions. Your attorney can work with weather experts to demonstrate how the driver’s choices in poor conditions contributed to your accident.
8. Failure to check blind spots during lane changes
Commercial vehicles have significant blind spots, and drivers must be especially vigilant when changing lanes. When drivers fail to properly check these “no-zones,” devastating accidents can occur.
How our attorneys can help: If you were injured because a truck driver failed to check their blind spots, your attorney can use evidence like surveillance footage and witness statements to demonstrate the driver’s negligence. Modern trucks often have blind spot monitoring systems, and data from these systems can provide helpful evidence for your case.
Key information for your commercial vehicle accident lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a commercial vehicle accident, gathering the right information can help your lawyer build a strong case. Here are the key details you can provide to help them secure you justice:
- Accident details: Date, time, and location of the crash
- Driver information: Name, employer, and commercial driver’s license number
- Truck details: vehicle make, model, license plate number, and DOT number
- Witness statements: Contact information and recorded accounts
- Photos and videos: Damage to vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries
- Police report: A copy of the official accident report
- Medical records: Documentation of injuries and treatments received
- Company information: Trucking company name, insurance details, and any relevant maintenance records
There are many pieces of evidence that you will likely not be able to recover that your attorney will recover for you, such as electronic logs and phone records showing hours-of-service violations or distracted driving, but the more you can gather the better.
Don’t face the fallout from your commercial vehicle accident alone — let Grimes & Fertitta take the wheel.
When you’re dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial impact of a common commercial vehicle accident situation, having experienced legal representation can make all the difference.
At Grimes & Fertitta, we understand the complexities of commercial vehicle accident cases and have a proven track record of securing fair compensation for our clients. Our commercial vehicle attorneys in Houston will thoroughly investigate your accident, handle all communications with insurance companies, and fight tirelessly to protect your rights while you focus on your recovery.
Call us today at 713-224-7644 or contact us online for a free consultation and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
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