Houston is a major hub for the American trucking industry. With our massive port and busy highways like I-10, I-45, and US-59, we share the road with thousands of 18-wheelers every day. While most professional drivers are safe, the sheer size of these 80,000-pound vehicles means that when a crash happens, the results are often catastrophic.
But why do these crashes happen? It is rarely just “bad luck.” Often, it is a specific failure to follow safety rules.
In a standard car crash, the liable party is usually just the other driver. In a commercial truck accident, the “web of liability” can be much larger. This article will dive deep into the top 5 causes of these wrecks and reveal the surprising parties who may be legally responsible for your injuries.
These complex cases are a key focus of our practice.
1. Cause #1: Driver Fatigue and “Hours of Service” Violations
Truck drivers are under immense pressure to deliver cargo quickly. This often leads to driving while dangerously tired.
The Rules: To prevent this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict “Hours of Service” rules. Generally, a driver can only drive for 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Who Is Liable?
- The Truck Driver: For choosing to violate the rules and drive while fatigued.
The Trucking Company: Often, companies push their drivers to break these rules to meet unrealistic deadlines. If we find evidence (like dispatch logs or emails) that they encouraged this, they are directly liable for putting profits over safety.
If your accident involved a large 18-wheeler, the case is much more complex.
See the official federal rules that keep tired drivers off the road.
Often, the most undeniable proof of a driver’s actions comes from the truck’s ‘black box.’ Learn more about how we use this critical evidence here.
2. Cause #2: Improper Maintenance and Equipment Failure
An 18-wheeler is a massive, complex machine that requires constant maintenance. When critical parts like brakes or tires fail at highway speeds, tragedy follows.
The Rules: Trucking companies are required by federal law to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain their fleet.
Who Is Liable?
- The Trucking Company: For failing to keep their vehicle safe.
- A Third-Party Maintenance Shop: Many companies hire outside mechanics to do their repairs. If that mechanic did a poor job that led to a brake failure, that separate company can be held liable.
- A Parts Manufacturer: If a tire blew out because it was defectively made, we may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
3. Cause #3: Overloaded or Improperly Secured Cargo
If cargo is not loaded correctly, it can shift during transit, causing the whole trailer to tip over or jackknife. If it is too heavy, it can make it impossible for the truck to stop in time.
Who Is Liable?
- The Truck Driver: They have a duty to inspect their load before hitting the road.
- The Shipper/Loader: Often, the trucking company doesn’t load the trailer — a separate warehouse or shipping company does. If they loaded it negligently, they are responsible for the crash. This is a critical distinction that many inexperienced lawyers miss.
4. Cause #4: Negligent Hiring and Training
Sometimes, the accident was inevitable the moment the driver was hired.
The Rules: Trucking companies must ensure their drivers are qualified. This means checking their driving history for past wrecks, DUIs, or reckless driving tickets, and ensuring they are properly trained to handle the specific vehicle they are driving.
Who Is Liable?The Trucking Company: If they hired a driver with a known history of dangerous driving, or if they failed to train a new driver properly, the company itself is “negligent” for putting an unqualified driver on the road.
5. Cause #5: Distracted or Reckless Driving
Just like regular drivers, truckers can be distracted by phones, GPS devices, or even eating while driving. Because their vehicles are so large, even a moment of inattention can be deadly.
Who Is Liable?
- The Truck Driver: For their own careless actions behind the wheel.
The Trucking Company: They can still be held responsible under a legal rule called “respondeat superior,” which means an employer is generally responsible for the actions of their employee while they are on the job.
6. Untangling the Web of Liability
JusAs you can see, a single truck accident can easily have three, four, or even five different liable parties.
Why does this matter to you? Because in serious injury cases, the damages — medical bills, lost future wages, lifelong pain — can be massive. A single insurance policy may not be enough to cover it all. By identifying every liable party, we can find multiple sources of insurance coverage to ensure you and your family receive the full compensation you deserve.
Don’t trust a complex case to a lawyer who isn’t experienced in this specific field. Contact our firm today for a free consultation. We have the experience and resources to untangle this web and fight for your family.
Get an experienced team on your side today.
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Don’t let an insurance company decide your future. If you have been injured in a car wreck, contact our firm today. We are ready to put our 34+ years of experience to work for you. Your consultation is free, confidential, and you pay us nothing unless we win your case.
