Common Types of Truck Accidents in Texas

Collisions involving 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks can have devastating consequences. While every accident’s circumstances will be different, some common types of truck accidents frequently occur in the Lone Star state.

Hiring an attorney is a crucial decision following any accident, particularly when dealing with a commercial motor vehicle company and its insurers. If you have been hurt in a truck crash in Texas, contact The Wilhite Law Firm right away for help. Our knowledgeable lawyers have handled these particular types of cases and know how to stand up to the trucking companies and the powerful insurance companies behind them. Contact our Dallas office by phone or online today for a free initial consultation.

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Texas

Many different types of truck accidents happen in Texas. Some of the most common types include:

• Rear-end accidents — Because of how heavy they are, trucks require a long time and a lot of space to stop safely. This means that if a truck driver is following another vehicle too closely, impaired by drugs or alcohol, overly tired, distracted by their cellphone, or otherwise negligent, they might not be able to stop in time to avoid a crash. The increased stopping distance for trucks also means that if a truck stops suddenly when another vehicle is close behind, the other vehicle can collide with the back of the truck.
• Right-turn accidents — Trucks require extra room to maneuver because of how long they are. This is especially true if the truck is towing a trailer. When turning to the right, trucks need to make wider turns than they normally would. If a truck driver isn’t paying attention or another vehicle moves into the truck’s path, the truck might run into the side of the other vehicle.
• Underride accidents — Trucks sit higher off the ground than most other types of vehicles. This means another vehicle can become lodged under the truck’s chassis under certain circumstances. The most frequent cause of underride accidents is when a truck stops suddenly, and another vehicle runs into the truck from behind.
• Sideswipe accidents — Trucks have large blind spots on either side of the vehicle, which can make it difficult for the truck driver to see other drivers in their surroundings. If the truck driver doesn’t take care to avoid a crash, or if they’re distracted, impaired, or fatigued, they can easily end up side-swiping another vehicle.
• T-bone accidents — T-Bone accidents are frequently the result of a truck driver failing to yield when required or failing to stop at an intersection. This can happen if the truck driver is intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, overly tired, or distracted. Mechanical defects can also cause T-bone accidents if a brake failure or other broken part makes it more difficult for the driver to stop the truck safely.
• Head-on collisions — Head-on collisions are most frequently the result of the driver drifting into another traffic lane. This can happen if a truck driver loses control because of a mechanical defect. A head-on collision can also occur if a truck driver is intoxicated, distracted, or overly fatigued.
• Rollover accidents — Because of how heavy trucks are and how high they sit off the road, they have a much higher center of gravity than other vehicles, making them more prone to rollover crashes. If cargo isn’t properly secured, or if it shifts within the trailer, a truck can tip over when making a hard turn or sudden stop.
• Jackknife accidents — A truck’s trailer hitch is a pivot point, and when a truck stops suddenly, the trailer can swing to either side and end up colliding with other vehicles. The trailer appears to fold up toward the truck when this happens, resembling a partially closed knife.
• Multi-vehicle accidents —In heavy traffic, a truck that collides with a vehicle in front of it can strike with enough force to cause a chain-reaction crash, leading to significant injuries for drivers and passengers in multiple vehicles.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas

Truck accidents in Texas happen for many different reasons. Some of the more common causes of accidents include:

• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions —Trucks require a lot of room and a lot of time to stop, so truck drivers should always leave plenty of space between their truck and other vehicles in front of them. Snow, rain, and ice on the roads can make it even harder for trucks to stop in time, so truck drivers should give themselves more space when roads are slick.
• Distracted driving — Truck drivers are just as susceptible to distraction as any other driver, except they’re driving a vehicle that’s anywhere from 10 to 30 times as heavy as a typical passenger vehicle. If a truck driver is distracted by talking on the phone, sending or reading a text message, snacking, adjusting the music, using in-vehicle controls, or something else, they can easily end up in a crash before they realize what’s happening.
• Drowsy or fatigued driving — State and federal regulators have instituted hours of service rules to ensure truck drivers get enough rest. A truck driver who doesn’t get enough sleep will see their reflexes and judgment decline, and they might even pass out behind the wheel.
• Driving while intoxicated — Intoxicated drivers will frequently experience dulled reflexes, impaired judgment, and a greater likelihood of making a costly mistake. In severe cases, a truck driver can fall asleep behind the wheel when they’re intoxicated.
• Failure to check blind spots — Trucks have large blind spots in the left-rear and right-rear areas around them, and if truck drivers aren’t careful, they can easily sideswipe a vehicle in their blind spot when turning, changing lanes, or merging with traffic.
• Improper wide turns — Truck drivers often need to swing wide to make sharp turns, but taking the turn at too wide of an angle means a truck can sideswipe a vehicle next to it or crush a vehicle between the trailer’s body and the curb or guard rail.
• Inexperienced drivers — Inexperienced truck drivers may not know to check their blind spots, watch their stopping distance, or other safe driving tips that more experienced drivers are aware of, making an accident more likely.
• Unfamiliarity with routes — A truck driver who gets lost or is unfamiliar with their route can end up going the wrong way down a road, or they might wind up in an area with narrow lanes or other hazards that make an accident more likely.
• Wrong-way driving — Wrong-way accidents often cause horrific injuries because of how dangerous head-on collisions can be. Wrong-way accidents involving trucks usually happen because the truck driver got lost or was intoxicated, distracted, or fatigued.
• Unsecured or improperly loaded cargo — Cargo that isn’t correctly loaded and secured can come loose or shift while a truck is in transit, which could lead to cargo falling onto the road, onto nearby vehicles, or increasing the chance of a rollover accident.
• Improper maintenance — The sheer size and weight of tractor-trailers mean they go through a lot of mechanical wear and tear. Trucks should be inspected frequently to ensure all crucial components are in good working order, and any worn parts should be replaced immediately. Otherwise, it may be impossible for the truck driver to control the vehicle in an emergency.
• Defective parts — If a truck has faulty brakes, or if something is wrong with another critical component like its engine or steering system, there may be no way for a truck driver to avoid a crash in an emergency.

How a Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Crash

Pursuing fair compensation for your injuries in a truck accident can be a challenge. Multiple parties may be liable, which means you might need to seek compensation from numerous insurance policies. The parties will often fight accident claims with all the legal resources at their disposal. Here’s how a Dallas truck accident attorney from The Wilhite Law Firm can help you after a crash:

• We can review the evidence to determine all the potentially liable parties and all the different categories of compensation for which you may be eligible.
• We can gather and preserve documents and other evidence to help bolster your claim, such as police accident reports, medical records, photos and video from the crash scene, eyewitness accounts, and testimony from expert witnesses.
• We can handle all communication and settlement negotiations with the various liable parties and their insurers. That way, you don’t have to do the work yourself, and you minimize your chance of making a mistake that could hurt your claim. Our truck accident lawyers will fight for the fair compensation you are entitled to receive under Texas law.
• We can file your claim in court if settlement negotiations break down so as to ensure your rights are protected.

Don’t wait too long to speak to an attorney after a truck accident in Dallas. Time is limited to take legal action to hold the at-fault parties accountable. So contact The Wilhite Law Firm today for a free initial consultation. We have some of the best personal injury lawyers in Dallas.