Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident statistics
Statistics about truck accidents compiled by the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) dispute some of the myths about truck accidents. For instance, most people believe that alcohol and illegal narcotics play a big role in many truck accidents. But, at least as of 2003, government statisticians found that only 1% of fatal accidents involving trucks could be blamed on a drunken truck driver. In addition, many truck accidents appear to be caused by the errors of drivers of smaller passengers cars as opposed to truck driver error.
Nevertheless, truck accidents can be devastating, by any measure.
According to U.S. DOT statistics, nearly half a million truck accidents happen every year, leading to around 5,000 fatalities. In fact, around one-eighth of all US road fatalities involve trucks in some capacity. This is unsurprising, given that trucks are the biggest and heaviest vehicles on the road. As such, they have more momentum and thus can impart more force in a collision. (If you remember your physics, you know that a change in momentum is equal to force imparted. So, when a truck weighing 18 tons goes from 60 miles per hour to 0 miles per hour, it will impart six times greater force than will a 3 ton passenger vehicle that brakes from 60 miles per hour to 0 miles per hour over the same duration).
A variety of factors increase the likelihood of truck accidents, including:
- trucker fatigue
- trucker use of amphetamines to stay awake for long drives
- mechanical failure (e.g. brakes locking, accelerator pedal not working)
- poor signage or road upkeep (e.g. failure of engineers to provide a runaway truck ramp)
Who might be liable in a Dallas Texas truck accident for injuries and damage to your vehicle or person?
A number of parties might be legally liable, including:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Trucking company’s insurance company
- The government entity responsible for maintaining safe road conditions
- The construction team who left rubble on the road that caused the truck to veer out of control
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Dallas truck accident, please contact experienced Carrollton Texas truck accident lawyer Dina Steele today to discuss your case.