Common Types of Truck Accidents in Houston
There are various types of truck accidents in a large city like Houston. With all of our freeways, highways, extensions, and city streets and the sheer volume of trucks traveling every day, it is not surprising that truck accidents can occur. Truck accidents often result in life-altering injuries or death. If the driver or trucking company were negligent or reckless, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Below is a list of common types of truck accidents in Houston, Texas.
1. Cement Truck Accidents
Cement trucks are top-heavy vehicles that transport wet cement to construction job sites. The trucks have large drums that mix and carry about 40,000 pounds of concrete, bringing the vehicle’s total weight to over 60,000 pounds.
The drums are in constant rotation as the truck drives to prevent the concrete from hardening. Sometimes, cement trucks are also equipped with pumps and hoses used to pour the cement at the job site.
The uneven weight distribution makes cement trucks easy to roll over, even when traveling at seemingly safe speeds. They are challenging to maneuver, and it can be difficult for the driver to see obstacles out of their direct line of vision. Because of this, cement truck drivers must have sufficient training and skills, and the truck must be regularly maintained.
Some factors that led to cement truck accidents in Houston include improper maintenance, defective parts, equipment failures, drowsy driving, distracted driving, speeding, and hazardous roadways.
2. 18-Wheeler Accidents
An 18-wheeler (also known as a semi-truck or big rig) can have a total weight of up to 80,000 pounds and be 70 feet in length. Because of their massive size, 18-wheelers are challenging to operate, have large blind spots, and require 50% more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. Tiny driving mistakes can result in devastating crashes. 18-wheelers only account for 3% of all vehicles on the road, but they are involved in over 12% of all fatal wrecks.
Often drivers or trucking companies are to blame for accidents. Common causes of 18-wheeler accidents in Houston include fatigued driving, unrealistic and unsafe delivery deadlines, driving under the influence, tailgating, speeding, lack of training, overloaded freight, and improper truck maintenance. Texas and federal laws regulate how trucks must be maintained and the maximum hours and mileage truckers can drive without a break. If these laws are not followed, the driver or trucking company can be held liable.
3. Garbage Truck Accidents
Garbage trucks can weigh up to 32 tons. Because of their size, an accident involving a garbage truck can cause catastrophic injuries. Common causes of garbage truck accidents in Houston include falling garbage, lack of truck maintenance, driver negligence, and drowsy driving. Various parties could be held liable, including the driver, the waste management company, a government agency, the truck manufacturer, or the mechanics that service the truck.
Garbage truck accident cases are complex because government agencies are often involved in the waste collection process. Their involvement has various legal consequences. Furthermore, garbage trucks are allowed to break certain traffic laws, making proving driver negligence more difficult. For example, they can drive on the wrong side of the road and along the curb. They can also stop in the middle of the street and straddle traffic lanes. For these reasons, it is important to have an experienced Houston garbage truck attorney represent you if you are injured in an accident.
4. Tanker Truck Accidents
Tanker trucks often carry thousands of gallons of flammable and hazardous materials, such as oil, gas, and other chemicals. Tanker trucks are commonly seen on Houston roadways because of the prevalence of oil fields and refineries in the area. Fully loaded tankers are extremely heavy, and the movement of the oil can make the truck difficult to control. These trucks require significant skill and training to operate.
If the tanker truck is carrying a flammable material, such as oil or gas, a collision or rollover can result in an explosion. Involved parties often suffer severe burns and respiratory injuries from the smoke. Common causes of tanker truck accidents in Houston include distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, unsafe lane changes, intoxication, brake failure, improper maintenance, and poor road conditions.
Your Houston Truck Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, call the Paxton Law Firm. Let us review your case and advise you of your rights. The Paxton Law Firm believes in taking the stress out of dealing with your case as you recover. Richard Paxton’s goal to get you the best compensation including money for medical bills, lost wages, and long term disfigurement or injury. Call(281) 978-2244 today for a free consultation.
