The number of fatal truck accidents is the highest in the state of Texas. In 2020, commercial truck crashes led to nearly 600 deaths. Texas accounts for nearly 13 percent of all fatal trucking accidents in the United States. Driving a commercial truck is not the same as driving a passenger car. These trucks carry a massive amount of weight and extensive training is needed to maneuver such vehicles. It is the responsibility of trucking companies to ensure not only that their fleet is safe to drive but that the drivers are fit for the job. If this is not the case, the trucking company could potentially be held liable for any accidents and injuries they cause.

Negligent Hiring

The practice of hiring commercial truck drivers is a big responsibility. Drivers must demonstrate they have a history of safe driving and are medically able to operate these massive vehicles. Failing to exercise reasonable care to hire a qualified and experienced truck driver should be penalized. Commercial truck drivers may seem qualified on paper but more needs to be done to ensure everyone is safe on the road. Truck driver candidates may have a commercial driver’s license or CDL and they may have carried loads of cargo for several companies. However, employers who are in a rush to get more drivers on the road may be deemed guilty of the following negligent hiring practices:

• Hiring a driver with a history of unsafe driving

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Nearly 5,000 fatal crashes in the United States involve large trucks each year. It is no secret that a large truck has greater momentum especially when loaded with cargo. That alone can lead to a greater impact and drivers in smaller vehicles can suffer serious injuries. When truck accident injuries occur, the consequences can be serious. Financial costs quickly mount and you may be unsure who is responsible for your injuries. At Alford & Clark Injury Attorneys, we have represented clients in a variety of truck accident cases and understand the safety issues and forms of negligence that are often committed by truck companies. We will fight to try to ensure that you are properly compensated.

Weight Limits

There are weight limits for commercial vehicles to ensure that trucks are operated safely. Unfortunately, some companies violate these laws and overload the trucks. These practices are not only dangerous to the driver but to everyone else on the road.

An overloaded truck is more difficult for a driver to control. More time and distance will be needed to slow down. At high speeds, a top-heavy vehicle is likely to roll over. On the other hand, if cargo is not loaded properly it could lead to dangerous accidents. When cargo is not evenly spread out, the truck can be harder to control, especially when it comes to lane changes and turns.

Large flatbeds, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large commercial vehicles are a common sight on the highways of every state. They transport goods all over the country, making them an essential part of our economy. However, when responsible hiring practices are not followed by trucking companies, semi-trucks can become dangerous weapons on the roads.

Trucking companies must carefully vet their employees to ensure they are qualified and safe drivers. This includes conducting background checks, verifying references, checking driving records, or requiring medical exams. However, some companies cut corners when hiring semi-truck drivers by not properly verifying qualifications or overlooking signs of dangerous driver behavior.

If you or a loved one were involved in a crash with a semi-truck or other commercial truck, a personal injury attorney experienced in truck accident claims can help you determine if negligent hiring practices led to the crash. The trucking company may be required to reimburse you for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Three weeks ago, a semi-truck collided with another vehicle on a U.S. 75 overpass. The truck, which was traveling at highway speeds, drove off the highway overpass, flipped in the air, and burst into flames as it crashed onto the road below. Dashcam footage from cars waiting at the intersection below the overpass captured the incident, in which the driver of the semi-truck died. 

Texas has the tragic distinction of leading the nation in fatal truck accidents. More than 30,000 commercial vehicles get in accidents every year on Texas roads, and several hundred people die in these accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a semi-truck crash on Texas roads, it is essential to understand your legal options for recovering compensation. 

When Can I Sue a Truck Driver for Injuries or Death? 

Determining liability is the first step in exploring whether compensation can be obtained for a truck accident, but it can take some work. Sometimes the truck driver is responsible, sometimes the trucking company is responsible, and sometimes the shipping company that loads a truck is responsible for an accident. Sometimes even the person who was injured or killed in the accident with the truck is responsible for the accident. 

It is highly inadvisable for anyone to drive any vehicle while exhausted. Being sleepy can impair a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle as much as being drunk can. Recognizing the dangers of drowsy driving, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set out a series of strict rules called Hours of Service regulations that are designed to prevent commercial truck drivers from driving after long periods of being awake. People - even professional commercial truck drivers - can only drive for so long before they begin to experience “highway hypnosis” and extreme fatigue that can lead to a crash in the blink of an eye. If you have been hit by a semi-truck and need compensation, one of the first things our attorneys will look for is whether there may have been an Hours of Service violation. 

What You Need to Know About Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers must be alert and aware while operating an enormous vehicle that can inflict severe harm on others in the event of a crash. Fatigued driving is negligent driving. If a truck driver’s negligent driving causes a crash in which someone else is injured or killed, the driver or the trucking company may be liable for damages.  

Some facts you should know include: