Texas Truck Accident Statistics

Michael S. Callahan | | Truck Accident Lawyer
Texas Truck Accident Statistics

According to the National Safety Council, Texas had the highest number of truck fatalities in 2022, with nearly 800 lives lost due to truck accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and the harm caused.

Truck accidents can result in devastating injuries or even fatalities, especially when a large truck collides with a standard-sized vehicle at high speeds. If the accident was caused by the negligence of the truck driver or whoever was responsible for putting that driver on the road, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages.

To ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible, it’s essential to have an experienced personal injury attorney who focuses on representing people in truck accident cases by your side. The Callahan Law Firm is committed to representing truck accident victims. We provide personalized attention and fight tirelessly for our clients’ rights.

We’ve gathered some crucial statistics on truck accidents to highlight the importance of having legal representation. Given the potential for catastrophic injuries, having an attorney who understands the complexities of these cases is vital.

Key Findings from Truck Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s and National Safety Council’s most recent truck and bus statistics:

  • In 2021, around 6,000 trucks and buses were involved in fatal accidents in the United States. Larger trucks were more likely to be involved in fatal accidents.
  • Between 2020 and 2021, the likelihood of injury from a truck accident increased by 11%.
  • From 2020 to 2021, there was an 18% increase in the number of truck accidents.
  • In 2021, commercial and non-commercial vehicles were involved equally in truck accidents.
  • Most truck accidents occurred on non-interstate roadways in 2022. Accidents were also most likely to occur in rural areas.

Generally, all studies have shown that accidents, injuries, and fatalities have increased throughout the last several years following 2020.

Truck Regulations: Safeguards against accidents

The Texas Transportation Code has specific laws that regulate commercial motor vehicles. The purpose is to promote truck company and truck driver safety while operating their vehicles on public roadways. The ultimate goal of the laws and regulations is to protect the motoring public, meaning protect the people and families in passenger vehicles.

The laws and regulations set forth requirements for truck driver qualification, training and supervision. In addition, there are requirements for hours of service a truck driver is allowed to drive, vehicle inspection, vehicle maintenance, and more. When the laws and regulations that apply to trucking companies and truck drivers are not followed, the consequences can be catastrophic.

The laws and regulations for hours of service are specific and intended to address truck driver fatigue. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, drivers can only drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 hours off duty. Truck drivers must also take a 30-minute break after driving for 8 hours.

Fatigued truck drivers and trucking companies can be held responsible for a car accident under negligence laws. This means that the person injured must prove the truck driver was negligent, and that negligence caused or contributed to the crash.

No matter the cause of the truck accident, make sure you have an experienced Truck Accident Attorney to represent you in the event of a truck accident. That attorney will know what needs to be done and can begin work right away, which can include the following: conduct an independent investigation of the crash; obtain and preserve critical evidence such as a data download of the truck’s electronic control module (“black box”), driver’s logs, video from any truck mounted cameras, vehicle inspections records, and vehicle maintenance records; crash site inspection; witness interviews; hiring necessary experts including accident reconstructionists and truck safety experts; and more.

Every truck crash case is different. The extent to which the above should be done depends on the circumstances of the crash and the specific facts of the case. That’s why it is so important to consult with and hire an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. The difference is all too often a matter of winning your case, and not. Contact The Callahan Law Firm today and let us start working now to protect your rights and ensure that justice is done.

Legal Considerations in Truck Accident Cases

Legal Considerations in Truck Accident Cases

How do I prove a truck accident case?

To succeed in a truck accident case based on negligence, you must show that all elements of negligence have been satisfied. Below is a general overview of the elements under Texas law:

  • Duty: You must show how the truck driver had a duty to do that which a truck driver of ordinary prudence would have done under the same or similar circumstances. For example, the truck driver must change lanes only when it is safe to do so; must obey traffic control devices such as traffic signals and stop signs; must exercise ordinary care when making turns; must back only when it is safe to do so; and more.
  • Breach: You must show how the truck driver breached one or more duties.
  • Causation: The breach of one or more duties must have “proximately caused” the occurrence (the crash) or the injury. This element includes “cause in fact” and ‘foreseeability”. An experienced truck accident attorney will understand how to establish causation.
  • Damages: The claimant suffered injuries and damages.

Could I hold an employer responsible for a truck accident?

In sum, yes. Under the legal principle of respondeat superior, also known as vicarious liability, an employer is responsible for the actions of its employee, including negligence. In addition, trucks that meet certain requirements (weight, etc.) are required to have a U.S. Department of Transportation number, or U.S. DOT number. Under the federal regulations and Texas law, a truck driver who is driving a truck with a U.S. DOT number of a certain company is a “statutory employee” of that company.

This is another reason why it is so important to have an experienced truck accident attorney on your side who understands the nuances of the applicable trucking laws and regulations.

What should I do after being involved in a truck accident?

If you or a loved one have been harmed as a result of a truck accident, seriously consider whether it is in your best interest to take steps so that your rights are protected if you must file a claim or a lawsuit.

  1. Call 911. Get immediate medical attention if injured or believe you may be. After leaving the scene, it is best to get medically evaluated for any injuries you may have suffered.
  2. Call the police. The police should come to the scene, and when they do, the will investigate the crash and document their findings in a crash report. The crash report can be obtained later and is critical evidence in the case.
  3. Take photos of the accident location. If possible and can be done safely, consider taking photos to further document the scene.
  4. Take down any eyewitness information. The police will likely obtain this information and include it in their crash report. However, if possible, try to obtain the names and phone numbers of any such witnesses.
  5. Contact an experienced truck accident personal injury attorney at The Callahan Law Firm to discuss what happened and how we can help.

How Can The Callahan Law Firm Help Me?

At The Callahan Law Firm, we understand the profound impact a truck accident can have on your life and the lives of your loved ones. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing you with compassionate support and legal guidance throughout the entire process. We’ll take appropriate steps to investigate the crash and how it happened, seek to preserve and gather crucial evidence, and identify those responsible and their representatives.

With our personalized approach and unwavering commitment to your rights, we will handle the legal details of your case so that you can focus on your health and recovery. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation—together, we can navigate the path to justice. Contact us at The Callahan Law Firm to learn more.

Give Our Experience Truck Accident Lawyers A Call To Discuss Your Case

After a truck accident, representing yourself should not be an option. Our experienced truck accident lawyers at The Callahan Law Firm provide decades of legal experience to our clients to ensure they get top-rated legal representation. We work on your case from start to finish with the goal of getting full justice under the law for you and your family.

To discuss your truck accident case in detail, contact our attorneys to schedule a complimentary case evaluation.