Leading Causes of Truck Accidents in Tyler, TX
What are some of the factors that contribute to trucking accidents? Why do these collisions happen in the first place? Taking a look at some of the potential causes of truck accidents can shed light on who can be held responsible and what can be done to avoid them. As Tyler truck accident lawyers, we are committed to providing helpful insight regarding these crashes and the circumstances that allow them to occur.
Truck accidents are often caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued truck drivers
- Unsafe lane changes
- Unsafe merges
- Speeding
- Poorly maintained trucks
Additional causes and contributing factors include:
- Overloaded trucks
- Improperly secured cargo
- Defective truck parts
- Dangerous roadways
- Heavy weather
- Inexperienced operators
A thorough investigation of your accident will reveal what caused it and who is responsible. That is a key part of any personal injury lawsuit involving a trucking accident, and it is part of how you can seek fair compensation.
How Trucking Companies Contribute to Trucking Accidents
According to federal data, roughly 14% of large truck accidents are caused by fatigue. The actual numbers may be even higher—as many as 25% of 18-wheeler crashes happened when a driver was behind the wheel for 17 hours or longer, which is far above the federal hours of service maximum. Given that most truckers do not self-report how rested they are, we may never know how many accidents are truly caused by tiredness.
Sleep experts have shown that being moderately tired can impair driving like drinking does.
Unfortunately, industry practices and trucking company policies seem almost designed to incentivize breaking the rules. Trucking companies pay most drivers by the mile, which means drivers are unpaid for anything else. Sitting in traffic, waiting for loading or unloading, or driving an empty trailer to pick up a new load are all unpaid. Drivers can end up working a 12-hour day and lose money. That’s why many drivers resort to driving longer than the federally mandated maximum, ultimately leaving them tired out and unable to drive safely.
Can Trucking Companies Be Found Liable for Unsafe Drivers?
In short, absolutely. Trucking companies are legally and ethically bound to the behavior and conduct of their drivers. When a driver is overworked, poorly trained, poorly equipped, or reckless, the responsibility also falls on the trucking company’s hiring practices. Holding employers accountable for their truck drivers is key to ensuring that only good drivers get hired in the future.
Trucking companies have been held accountable for accidents caused by drivers with:
- Bad driving records
- Serious health issues
- Inadequate training
- Lack of compliance with the law
Seek the Fair Value of Your 18-Wheeler Accident Claim
Recovering a fair settlement or award after an 18-wheeler accident may be your only chance of paying your medical bills, covering ongoing care, recouping lost wages, and building a secure future for yourself and your family. That is why our Tyler truck accident attorneys work so hard for every client, to help them rebuild.
The economic and non-economic damages in a truck accident case may cover:
- Medical treatment
- Ongoing care and therapy
- Medication and medical supplies
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Types of Tyler, TX Truck Accident Cases We Handle
Trucking accident cases are an important part of our firm's practice. We know how disastrous these collisions can be, and we believe in helping those who have been injured or who have lost loved ones hold at-fault parties accountable. We are known nationwide for our results in all types of truck accident cases.
Arnold & Itkin can handle cases involving:
- Tanker truck accidents
- Construction vehicle accidents
- Delivery truck accidents
- Underride collisions
- Truck rollover accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Rear-end truck accidents
- Runaway trailer accidents
- Tire blowout crashes
- Accidents caused by falling cargo
Call Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Tyler, TX: (888) 493-1629
Our Tyler 18-wheeler accident attorneys have some idea of what you’re going through. You’ve been badly hurt, leaving you with huge hospital bills and no way of making a living. The only way to fight for what you need, to pay for your medical costs and recoup your lost wages, is to take the trucking company to court for what they allowed to happen to you.
At Arnold & Itkin, our team has recovered billions of dollars for our clients, helping them rebuild their lives while ensuring their accident never happens to anyone else. We’ve won hundreds of results worth $1 million or more, and dozens worth $10 million or more, each result giving our clients a second chance at life. If you want to know what can be done for you and your family, speak with us in a free consultation.
We take no fee unless we win your case—call (888) 493-1629 to learn your options.
