Unfortunately, the likelihood that you or a loved one could be killed in a truck accident caused by a negligent truck driver in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is increasing. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 4,317 fatalities in commercial truck collisions in 2016—up from 4,094 in 2015. If you lost a family member due to a truck driver’s and trucking company’s negligence, you might be able to obtain compensation from them in a wrongful death action.
Causes of Fatal 18-Wheeler Accidents
There are many causes of fatal 18-wheeler and other truck accidents. Truck driver negligence is often the underlying cause, but this is not always the case. If a family member was killed in a wreck, it might have been due to one of these negligent actions:
- Distracted driving, such as using a cellphone, eating and drinking, or looking at a GPS
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for weather conditions
- Intoxication due to alcohol or drug use
- Fatigue—often due to truckers driving more hours without taking a break than allowed under federal hours of service regulations
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Inadequate truck maintenance
- Inexperienced or unqualified truck drivers
Common Types of Truck Crashes That Lead to Fatalities
While any type of truck accident can cause fatalities due to the massive size and weight of the truck, certain types of collisions are more likely to result in this tragic outcome. They include:
Jackknife Accident
A jackknife truck crash occurs when the trucker loses control and the trailer swings out and folds toward the cab right onto other lanes of traffic. A multi-vehicle pileup can result when other drivers try to avoid crashing into the cab or trailer.
Rollover Accident
Truck rollovers are especially dangerous because the truck can crush much smaller cars, trapping its occupants inside.
Override And Underride Accidents
In an override accident, the truck drives over a passenger vehicle in a rear-end collision. When a truck has inadequate safety guards, a passenger vehicle can go under the truck in an underride wreck
Head-On Collision
A trucker can cause a deadly head-on collision if he crosses the center lane, drives too fast on curves, or drives the wrong way on an entrance or exit ramp, highway, or one-way street.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?
If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.
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