Understanding Commercial Vehicle Accidents

In Texas in 2020, there were approximately 18,000 accidents involving commercial vehicles, putting Texas in the lead with respect to the number of large trucks involved in fatal accidents in all 50 states. More than 9,500 people were injured, some of them so severely that their lives and the lives of their families will never be the same. Another 629 were killed.

Commercial vehicle injury lawsuits present different issues that regulate vehicle injury accident cases. If you were injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, or someone you love was killed, attorneys at Springer & Lyle want you to know about your rights and want to help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Laws Governing Large Trucking Companies and Their Drivers

Both state and federal laws set regulations regarding the conduct of commercial vehicle owners, manufacturers, and drivers. There are many laws they must follow. Just a few examples include:

• Driver qualifications.
• Insurance coverage.
• How much weight the truck can carry at any one time.
• How long a driver can drive without taking a rest.
• Quality control for manufacturing the vehicle.
• Maintenance and repair requirements.
• Requirements for drivers to keep a running log of rest stops and driving time
• Requirements for drivers to do pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections.

Many accidents are caused by issues related to trucking companies, manufacturers, and drivers violating a state or federal regulation.

Defendants in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case

If you were injured in a commercial vehicle accident, you may be able to receive compensation from:

• The negligent truck driver.
• The trucking company may be liable for a number of reasons, such as a violation of a state or federal law, negligence in their hiring process of the at-fault driver, the truck was not properly maintained, and more.
• The cargo company for requiring or allowing the truck to be overloaded or improperly loaded.
• The truck manufacturer if the truck was defective due to a manufacturing error which was a proximate cause of the injury. 

Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Some of the most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents are:

• Driver fatigue.
• Speeding. Either driving over the speed limit or too fast for road or weather conditions.
• Shifting cargo due to an improperly loaded vehicle.
• Lack of driver training.
• Failure of the trucking company to adequately verify the driver’s qualifications.
• Improper or inadequate vehicle equipment.
• Failure to properly inspect or maintain the truck.

People who are involved in a commercial vehicle accident, if they survive, are often severely injured due to the impact of an 80,000-pound vehicle with their 5,000-pound car. If this happened to you, you need the services of experienced personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle, LLP. Contact us as soon as possible to make sure all evidence is preserved.