The National Safety Council or NSC revealed in a 2021 report that Texas ranks the highest in the number of fatalities resulting from a truck accident involving a tractor-trailer, with 806 fatalities reported.
With thousands of involving commercial trucks happening each year, drivers of all vehicles need to understand some important facts about these incidents and why they happen.
Anyone injured in an accident with a commercial truck should immediately contact an attorney experienced with these events, as they can become much more complex than the average automobile accident.
What Involvement Do Texas Drivers Have In Truck Accidents?
According to accident research and statistics released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA, many of the factors that lead to truck accidents are driver-related.
While not every accident is directly caused by a driver’s negligent or unsafe actions, the agency revealed that a high percentage are due to speeding, distracted or careless driving, failure to yield, failure to obey traffic signs, drifting within the lanes, following too close, and other dangerous driving behaviors.
Anyone involved in an accident with a heavy truck should immediately involve an accident attorney, as trucking companies will frequently attempt to avoid liability by refusing to accept responsibility, failing to provide factual accounts, and using other aggressive strategies.
How Can Driver Involvement Affect A Trucking Accident Outcome?
It is important to note that truck drivers are subject to very strict safety regulations designed to prevent trucking accidents, including limitations on how many hours they can drive.
When a trained driver fails to adhere to these safety rules and regulations by driving too long, speeding, or displaying other negligent driving behavior, attorneys interpret this as intentional misconduct.
Additionally, statistics indicate that younger, less experienced drivers are responsible for a higher percentage of accidents than older, more experienced drivers, even if no intentional misconduct has taken place.
What Is The Statute of Limitations On Truck Accidents In Texas?
When someone is involved in a , they have only a limited amount of time to file an injury claim against the company.
Texas law puts the statute of limitation as two years past the date that the accident took place
Due to this relatively short time frame, those involved in trucking accidents must receive immediate medical attention and speak with an accident attorney sooner, rather than later, for any injuries that may be present or may develop over time.
Failing to act within that initial two-year period can result in the loss of the ability to sue for injuries.
Contact A Trucking Accident Attorney Right After An Accident
Serious truck accidents happen frequently on Texas roadways and highways.
When they do, injured victims should contact an accident attorney immediately for help in determining fault and filing an accident claim against the trucking company when warranted.
An experienced attorney can help those injured in a trucking accident receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries, pain, and suffering when a truck driver has endangered them through careless or unsafe driving.