Nearly 9 out of every 10 Texas truck accidents are caused by driver errors, according to the latest data from authorities. In fact, federal data reveals a lot about the causes of 18-wheeler wrecks in Texas, including the facts that:
The truck is the critical reason for the crash about 55% of all big rig wrecks. Put another way, in about 45% of all 18-wheeler crashes, the critical reason for the crash is assigned to another vehicle, like a passenger vehicle.
When trucks are the critical reason for a crash, nearly 1 in 3 tractor-trailer accidents involves an 18-wheeler running into another lane of traffic or running off the road. In some cases, this may result from vehicle equipment failure or drivers’ unfamiliarity with the roads. In others, motorists may be fatigued, inattentive, or impaired.
When trucks are the critical reason for a crash, the top 3 causes of these 18-wheeler wrecks are brake problems, an interruption of the normal flow of traffic, and prescription drug use.
Driver decision errors cause about 38% of tractor-trailer accidents. These can include errors like traveling too fast for the conditions, tailgating, or misjudging others’ actions.
About 1 in every 10 big rig accidents is the result of a vehicle problem, like brake failure, tire blowouts, or other equipment malfunctions. While vehicle equipment may fail because of design or manufacturing flaws, it can also malfunction and cause wrecks when it is not properly maintained or when trucks are overloaded.
About 3% of all truck wrecks are caused by environmental factors, meaning the weather and/or road conditions. For example, weather can impair visibility while reducing big rigs’ traction with the roads. Similarly, poorly maintained streets, dangerous roadway design, and poorly set up highway work zones can also contribute to wrecks.
Condensing the data, it’s easier to see that avoidable errors cause most Texas 18-wheeler accidents.
When you’ve been hurt in a Texas truck accident, however, it’s not always easy to see what caused it and who’s responsible. That’s when it’s time to turn to an attorney for help getting answers and asserting your rights.