What are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

18-wheeler accidents are among the most severe of all crashes. If you are involved in an accident with a big rig, you may suffer serious injuries and damage. The roads in and around the Houston area are frequently congested with trucks. If you travel the roads daily, you will notice 18-wheeler accidents happening often. There are many causes of big rig accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tracks the most common, which we will discuss below.

Critical Events Causing Truck Accidents

Critical events are actions that put the vehicle on a path that makes it impossible to avoid a collision. Many events may be considered critical. The FMCSA identified the three top critical events in large truck crashes:

• Running out of the travel lane
• Loss of vehicle control
• Hitting the rear of another vehicle

After a vehicle accident, the police will try to determine the cause. The cause of the crash was reported and recorded by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Critical Reasons

A critical reason for a crash is the immediate cause of the event. The issue leads to a critical event. For example, a tire blowout may be the critical reason that a driver lost control of the big rig. Critical reasons are categorized into three main categories. These include driver, vehicle, and environment.

• Driver: Driver errors have many critical causes. Driver issues may be due to non-performance, recognition, decision-making, or performance.
• Vehicle: Mechanical failures, such as brake problems or a tire that blows out while driving, are considered vehicle factors.
• Environment: Conditions such as ice, rain, and snow are environmental factors that may cause a crash. Additionally, road conditions such as debris or potholes are also included in this category.

Associated Factors

Several factors are associated with truck accidents. The FMCSA has a list of the top ten factors associated with large truck accidents. These include:

• Problems with brakes
• Traffic flow issues
• Use of prescription drugs
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Unfamiliarity with the road
• Problems with the roadway
• Over-the-counter drug use
• Required to stop before the crash
• Inattention
• Fatigue

The number of accidents related to inattentive or distracted driving has been on the rise across the country over the last decade. This may be attributed to the increased use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. Also, many violations can be seen by downloading the black box data from an 18-wheeler.

If you have been hurt as a result of an accident with an 18-wheeler, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. We have successfully represented hundreds of victims of truck accidents in Houston and across Texas.

Contact the Legal Team of Texas Truck Accident Attorney Greg Baumgartner to discuss the details of your case.

Get a free case evaluation!

Call 281-893-0760

Related Resources:

Big Rig Accident in Terrell Leaves Three Dead

What Causes Houston Truck Accidents?

How do I File a Claim After a Truck Accident?

Event Data Recorders and Accidents

About Greg Baumgartner

Greg Baumgartner is a preeminent rated personal injury lawyer based in Houston, Texas, with over three decades of experience representing severely injured clients in truck accidents. He founded Baumgartner Law Firm, in 1985, with a mission to provide excellent legal representation and personalized attention to every client.