Causes of 18 Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Accidents in West Texas

Despite a general decrease in traffic accidents, semi-truck collisions are on the rise, especially in cities like Odessa, Texas. Experts attribute the steady increase in 18 wheeler accidents in West Texas to the booming oil industry. While the economic success of the region benefits locals, Odessa District Public Information Officer Gene Powell argues that these benefits come with tradeoffs. He says, “The energy sector brings more people, more bodies, more vehicles and that brings more crashes.” Locals are paying this price.

Because commercial vehicles are more substantial than the average car, these crashes often result in serious injuries. If you were in a trucking collision, the Odessa 18 wheeler accident lawyers of Carabin Shaw could help you determine what caused your accident. We believe in holding the responsible parties accountable and ensuring that you receive the maximum compensation for your damages. Our attorneys are ready to support you through this process.

Why Do Semi-Truck Crashes Happen?

Learning the leading causes of 18 wheeler and commercial vehicle accidents in West Texas might help you better understand what happened to you. Thankfully, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) to identify issues in the industry. Even though this data comes from April 2001 to December 2003 and the numbers surrounding these accidents have changed, Odessa commercial trucking accident attorneys can confirm that the principal factors in these crashes are relatively constant. The study analyzes a representative sample of 963 accidents of the 120,000 large truck crashes from that time. For each collision, the LTCCS coded hundreds of associated data points for each involved vehicle.

The study found that the top causes of these accidents are:

• Poor driver decisions: These decisions include any type of reckless driving, including aggressive behavior, speeding, taking curves too quickly, and inadequate evasive actions. Improper evasive actions might consist of braking only rather than braking and steering to avoid a crash. If you think a commercial motor vehicle’s operator’s poor decisions caused your accident, a lawyer can help you build a case.
• Poor driver performance: This category includes poor directional control, overcompensation, and panic or freezing in a difficult situation. If you believe that subpar driver performance caused your collision, call Odessa 18 wheeler accident lawyers.
• Vehicle-related factors: Accident attorneys serving Odessa, Texas know that these factors account for 13% of total accidents. These circumstances might include:
• Brake problems: While Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require semi-trucks to pass brake inspection every year, many things can go wrong in the intervening time.
• Cargo shifting: Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds with cargo. If that cargo was loaded improperly, the load can shift and cause the truck to topple.
• Steering failure: An improperly serviced steering wheel can fail and cause the driver to lose control.
• Environmental factors: Lawyers know that environmental factors, such as deficient road design and signage, potholes, slick roads, and obstructed views can cause accidents. Additionally, congested roadways are tough for big trucks to navigate if their drivers aren’t paying close attention to the road. Previous crashes, construction, and other changes to traffic flow can disorient truckers who are unfamiliar with the area.

Additionally, a trucker’s grueling schedule can lead to fatigued driving. To combat fatigue, some drivers turn to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, which can have unintended side effects. If any of the above seem related to your semi-truck accident, you should call Odessa commercial trucking accident attorneys as soon as possible.

Call Carabin Shaw Today

Our accident attorneys serving Odessa, Texas have decades of experience managing semi-truck accident claims. As a result, we are familiar with the causes of 18 wheeler and commercial vehicle accidents in West Texas. We offer our clients a free consultation and will not charge you unless we win your case. You have nothing to lose by calling today.

To connect with an Odessa, Texas attorney, dial 432-620-0544.

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