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Houston Truck Accident Causes

Truck accidents cause some of the most serious accidents and injuries on Houston roads.  In 2019, Texas had over 5,000 accident fatalities involving large trucks. Houston is one of the largest cities in America and a major transportation center.  Houston truck accidents are an unfortunate reality on the roads. Many of these incidents are caused by various factors, some of which can be prevented with better safety measures. This article will explore the main causes of truck accidents and how they can be avoided. We’ll look at driver fatigue, mechanical failure, poor road conditions, overloaded trucks, and more. We’ll also discuss how to reduce the risk of truck accidents in order to make our roads safer for everyone.

Types Of Trucks Involved In Houston Truck Accidents?

Most people think of 18-wheelers when they think of truck accidents.  However, other trucks also are likely to be involved in accidents, including:

  • Dump trucks
  • Garbage trucks
  • Flatbed trucks
  • Tow trucks
  • Cement trucks
  • Tankers
  • Delivery trucks

Truck drivers have to follow many state and federal rules regarding driving hours, record keeping, inspections, and truck maintenance.   Truck companies also have to follow these laws to operate.  Yet, truck accidents still happen, and they are some of the most serious accidents in Houston, Texas.

Truck Accident With Consumer Driver

Who Can Be Held Responsible For A Houston Truck Accident?

Who is responsible for a truck accident? The truck driver is not the only party who can be held liable for a Houston Texas truck accident.  Other responsible parties may include:

  • The trucking company that hired the other driver or loaded the cargo
  • Other truck drivers
  • An alcohol vendor (a bar) that sold alcohol to a driver who caused a DUI/DWI accident

Houston Truck Accidents Caused By A Truck Driver

The following are some of the main causes of Houston Truck Accidents caused by truck drivers and trucking companies.

Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers are often under pressure to work long hours. Truck drivers have rules to follow regarding the number of hours they can drive and the number of rest hours they need. A detailed article on the driver’s number of drive hours can be found by clicking Molina Law Firm-Trucking Hours of Service Blog. It may sound obvious, but the more a truck is on the road, the more money the trucking company makes.  Truck drivers and truck companies often have a financial incentive to drive while tired.  As a result, drivers may not get enough sleep, which can lead to fatigue. Fatigue can impair a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and overall driving ability, making them more prone to accidents. To prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue, trucking companies should implement policies that ensure that their drivers get enough rest and should also consider implementing technology such as in-cab alertness monitors to help prevent drowsy driving.

Driving While Intoxicated in a Truck Accident

This may also sound obvious, but truck drivers should not be drinking alcohol or taking other narcotics before they get behind the wheel.  Narcotics impair your mental and physical abilities.   Houston truck accidents caused by drugs can be determined to be grossly negligent because of the seriousness of such an offense.

Dangerous and Reckless Driving

Reckless driving includes many different types of driving such as speeding, reckless swerving, ignoring traffic devices, reckless passing on a two-lane road, following too close, and not paying attention to surroundings.

Distracted Driving

Another common cause of truck accidents is distracted driving. This can take many forms, including texting while driving, eating or drinking while driving, and even talking to passengers. Distracted driving is particularly dangerous for truck drivers because of the size and weight of their vehicles, which means that they require a longer distance to come to a stop. To prevent accidents caused by distracted driving, trucking companies should implement policies that prohibit their drivers from using their phones or engaging in other distracting activities while driving, and should also consider using technology such as in-cab cameras to monitor their drivers’ behavior.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Poor vehicle maintenance causes many truck accidents. Trucks are complex machines with many moving parts, and if any of these parts fail, it can lead to an accident. To prevent accidents caused by mechanical failure, trucking companies should ensure that their vehicles are well-maintained and regularly inspected, and should also consider implementing technology such as telematics systems that can alert them to potential mechanical issues before they become serious problems.  Also, worn tires, for example, can cause blowouts, with deadly consequences. Whether or not this is the fault of the driver depends on who was responsible for maintaining the truck. Normally this is the truck driver, but not always.

Poor Cargo Loading

Poor cargo loading can cause cargo to fall into the roadway at high speeds, or even cause the entire truck to tip over. Sometimes cargo loading is the driver’s responsibility, but sometimes it is a trucking company or even a third party who is responsible.

Road Conditions

Drivers should be able to determine and adapt to road conditions. Thus, drivers should always monitor their surroundings.

Bad Weather

Drivers should be able to determine and adapt to road conditions.  Thus, drivers should always monitor their surroundings.

Time Pressure

Time is money.  Trucking companies have deadlines to meet and cargo to transport.  Some trucking companies put a great deal of pressure on drivers to move cargo quickly, so as to maximize their own profits.

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