Why Are Truck Wrecks So Common in Texas?

Compared to other states, the weather in Texas is relatively mild and does not affect road conditions in a considerable way. There are other factors that put motorists across the state at risk, though, and heavy freight traffic is one of them.

With more freight traffic comes an increased risk of fatal semi-truck collisions. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Texas had the highest number of fatal collisions involving large trucks in 2014.

The NHTSA reports that 73 percent of those who died in truck accidents that year were passenger-vehicle occupants, and 10 percent were cyclists or pedestrians. Considering the substantial weight disparity between cars and semi-trucks, it is not surprising that passenger-vehicle occupants tend to fare worse in these collisions.

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a semi-truck crash, contact the Cooper Law Firm. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with a truck accident attorney in Tyler.

Read on to learn a few reasons why truck accidents are so common in the state of Texas:

1. Size

Texas is the second largest state in the country and the first in the contiguous United States. That means there are simply more opportunities for collisions to occur. The combination of long highway stretches and a vast geographical spread is a recipe for drowsy and distracted driving, especially for truckers who spend the better part of their day behind the wheel.

2. Location

Texas is right in the middle of the country, so most long-haul truckers have to pass through it when they are traveling from coast to coast. Since more truckers will ultimately pass through the state, more accidents are likely to occur.

Additionally, by the time truckers hit Texas, they have probably already been traveling for hundreds of miles. That means there may be significant wear and tear on their vehicles, which increases the risk of mechanical failures and tire blowouts.

3. Speed Limits

Texas is the only state in the country with posted speed limits of up to 85 mph on portions of its freeways. At 78.3 mph, its average speed limit is also the fastest in the country.

Semi-trucks should not be traveling this fast in traffic because they take much longer than passenger vehicles to decelerate. If a loaded semi-truck has to stop quickly when traveling faster than 80 mph, a rear-end collision is likely to result.

Unlike other states around the country, Texas may not have blizzards or hurricanes, but the factors listed above contribute to dangerous road conditions 12 months out of the year.

Sadly, even the best drivers can find themselves in a collision with a drowsy or distracted trucker. If you were injured by a truck driver in Texas, contact the Cooper Law Firm to discuss your case. Attorney N. Eric Cooper will investigate your accident, gather evidence to prove liability, interview witnesses, and help you fight for the maximum settlement.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with an accident lawyer in Tyler. You can learn more about personal injury claims in Texas by visiting the USAttorneys website.