If you’ve ever driven alongside a commercial truck, you’ve probably imagined what it would be like to get hit by one. Weighing up to 80,000 pounds, an 18-wheeler can pack a punch capable of reducing your vehicle to metal scraps and leaving you and your passengers with catastrophic injuries.
Some truck accidents are just that: accidents. But the vast majority are caused by human errors. Although you cannot control the actions of truck drivers, you can reduce your risk of being involved in a big-rig crash by learning the most common causes of these wrecks so you can anticipate and avoid them.
If you or someone in your family has already been injured in a tractor-trailer collision, contact Chelsie King Garza, P.C. to discuss your options for pursuing compensation. You may have grounds for a personal injury claim against the truck driver, the motor carrier that employed the trucker, or another party.
Chelsie Garza is a Houston truck accident attorney with more than 20 years of experience. She can help you identify all liable parties, gather evidence, calculate your damages, negotiate with the insurance company, and litigate your case if it reaches trial. For a free consultation, call 713-893-8808.
Let’s examine a few of the most common causes of truck crashes:
- Driver Decision Errors
According to a nationwide study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver decision errors are the leading cause of commercial truck crashes in the United States, accounting for about 38 percent of all such accidents. Common decision errors include speeding, tailgating other vehicles, and taking turns too sharply.
- Recognition Errors
Most drivers are aware of the dangers posed by texting, eating or drinking behind the wheel, and engaging in other behaviors that take their focus off the road—yet millions of people make a habit out of driving while distracted. When truckers take their focus off the task of driving, the risk of crashing is especially high because these vehicles require more stopping distance. Recognition errors account for about 28 percent of all commercial truck wrecks.
- Non-Performance Errors
Non-performance errors were the underlying cause of about 9,000 accidents in the FMCSA study, or approximately 12 percent. This category includes collisions caused by falling asleep behind the wheel or having a stroke or heart attack.
- Performance Errors
About 9 percent the accidents analyzed by the FMCSA were caused by performance errors. These collisions resulted from overcorrecting, panicking, and failing to exercise directional control.
Call 713-893-8808 to Speak with a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was seriously hurt in a truck crash, contact Chelsie King Garza, P.C. to discuss your case. Attorney Chelsie Garza and her support staff can investigate your collision and make sure your case is as strong as possible before settlement negotiations begin. To set up a free initial consultation, call us today at 713-893-8808 or send us a message using our Contact Form.
