The extreme winter weather moving across Texas has brought a lot of attention to dangerous driving conditions; however, it is important to be aware of the many types of hazards on the road every day. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of large trucks involved in fatal accidents has been on the rise since 2010. Many of these are attributed to the road hazards found across Texas.
The devastating damage that a single large truck can cause is not surprising, considering many of these vehicles often weigh more than 10,000 pounds. It is not uncommon for drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles to sustain catastrophic or fatal injuries as a result of a collision involving a large truck.
In order to help prevent such devastating losses, the FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a major study to identify the most common causes of serious big rig crashes. The agencies examined truck accidents between 2001 and 2003 across the U.S. and found that the majority of these incidents were caused by multiple factors.
Common factors among the 963 crashes included in the study were:
- Weather conditions
- Highway conditions
- Traffic signals
- Driver experience and training
- Truck design and manufacture
An additional study conducted by the FMCSA examining accidents between 2007 and 2009 found that of the 6,100 truck crashes in the U.S. that year, the majority were caused by smaller passenger vehicles.
While large trucks pose a greater threat to others on the road, it is crucial that all drivers practice safe, defensive driving at all times.
With the help of an aggressive truck accident lawyer at Brown Trial Firm, PLLC, it is possible to prove fault and recover significant compensation. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a collision with a big rig, please do not hesitate to contact us online or to dial (866) 393-2611. We will fight on your behalf to help you protect your legal rights. Your initial consultation is free.