How Often Do Truck Crashes Occur In Texas?

Trucking freight is a multi-billion-dollar industry, bringing in $875.5 billion in revenue in 2021. Undoubtedly, the United States relies on it to move cargo across the country, and the nearly 8 million people employed in the industry depend on it for their livelihoods. With so much riding on truckers’ ability to deliver the goods on time, you probably aren’t surprised to hear truck accidents are common and lead to significant injuries for occupants of other vehicles. Texas’s track record is particularly troubling.

Texas Leads the Way

Texas leads the way in the trucking industry, with higher total freight values originating from this state than any other, though California isn’t far behind. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, trucks originating in this state transported commodities valuing $1.12 trillion total in 2017, compared to California’s $1.09 trillion.

Unfortunately, Texas is also a leader in fatal truck accidents. In 2020, 643 people lost their lives in a collision involving a commercial truck in Texas. California again ranked second, though the number of truck accident fatalities in that state was significantly lower at 398. However, the Lone Star State did not rank among the top four states for the percentage of large trucks involved in fatal accidents.

As in truck accidents across the country, more passenger vehicle occupants die in truck accidents than truck drivers or passengers. Of the 643 fatalities in 2020, 460 — or 72% — were occupants of other vehicles.

Drilling Down the Data

Truck accidents don’t always result in fatalities or injuries, but given the difference in size between a big rig and a passenger vehicle, they often do. In 2021, the number of fatal accidents in this state declined slightly from the previous year to 630 fatal truck accidents, resulting in 705 deaths. The Texas Department of Transportation reports the following additional characteristics:

• The number of suspected serious crashes: 1,334
• The number of suspected serious injuries: 1,708
• The number of suspected minor crashes: 3,516
• The number of suspected minor injuries: 5,016

Additionally, 4,750 truck accidents potentially caused another 7,364 possible injuries. Harris County had the highest number of truck crashes at 5,743, followed by Dallas County (4,125), Bexar (2,210), Tarrant (2,174) and El Paso (1,013). The remaining counties all had fewer than 1,000 truck accidents.

The top four counties correlate with Texas’s top four most populous counties. El Paso is the outlier. Travis County ranks fifth for population size but had significantly fewer truck accidents than the other four at 598. El Paso, on the other hand, made the list of top five for the number of crashes, but it is number nine on the list for the highest population.

Harris County also had more fatalities and severe injuries than any other county, with Dallas again ranking second. Both counties were significantly higher in the number of accidents resulting in serious or fatal injuries.

Looking at the National Statistics

Between 2016 and 2019, the number of accidents in the U.S. involving large trucks increased each year, rising from 102,000 to 118,500. The number of fatalities and injuries also rose annually. In 2016, 815 truckers died, versus 3,351 occupants of other vehicles and 512 non-occupants. In 2019, the number of truckers who lost their lives increased to 893, while 3,569 occupants of other vehicles and 570 non-occupants died. The percentage of passenger vehicle fatalities held relatively steady, ranging from 70.9% to 72.1%.

The number of people who sustained injuries in truck accidents also increased between those same years, going from 13,500 to 118,600. As with fatalities, the occupants of other vehicles most often received injuries from the crash. The number of passenger vehicle occupants injured in 2016 was 95,000, compared to 36,000 truck occupants and 4,000 non-occupants. In 2019, 46,000 truckers, 5,000 non-occupants, and 109,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in crashes involving large trucks.

Complications Characterize Truck Accidents

If you’re involved in a truck accident, you face an uphill battle to obtain the compensation you deserve. The outcome of many crashes involving a large truck is less favorable for occupants of other vehicles than truckers. However, that doesn’t mean the results of a claim are a given.

Often, the truckers are at least partially at fault for the collision, potentially leaving trucking companies and their insurance providers on the hook for large payouts. You can be sure they will do everything possible to avoid paying. Furthermore, multiple parties in the trucking industry may share responsibility.

Texas Law Favoring Motor Carriers

Beginning in September 2021, lawsuits brought before the courts for truck accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities may go through two separate procedures. Truck companies have a right to request a two-part trial in some situations. A two-part trial separates the pursuit of punitive damages from the rest of the claim for compensatory damages, including those sought for pain and suffering.

Before motor carriers can request the two-part trial, the claim must meet two criteria. First, the plaintiff must seek compensation from the motor carrier for vicarious liability, claiming the company is ultimately responsible for its drivers’ behaviors. Second, the plaintiff must pursue punitive damages.

The law doesn’t apply to every case, so you may want to talk to an attorney to find out if this law might impact your claim. The specific facts in your case determine whether you would benefit from pursuing compensatory and punitive damages from the trucking company.

Other Parties Potentially Bearing Responsibility

In addition to truck drivers and their employers, other trucking sector parties may bear responsibility for your accident. The federal government holds the industry accountable for safety on the roads at all levels, with regulations outlining responsibilities across the industry. In addition to the truck drivers and motor carriers, the following parties may be liable:

• Cargo loaders: Loading freight is a precise process involving understanding weight and load distribution. Furthermore, loaders must ensure the freight is secured correctly. Shifting or unbalanced cargo can cause a trucker to lose control of the trailer. If improperly loaded or secured freight played a role in your accident, the cargo loaders might be liable.
• Manufacturers: Truck and parts manufacturers are responsible for product safety. If a malfunctioning or faulty part or vehicle contributed to your accident, you might be able to pursue compensation from the responsible manufacturer.
• Maintenance contractors: Sometimes, motor carriers hire maintenance and repair employees. However, if they contract the job out to third parties, those parties may hold liability if they did not perform their jobs appropriately and their negligence contributed to your accident.

In addition to trucking industry parties, other parties may also be at least partially at fault. In multi-vehicle crashes, other motorists may have caused or contributed to the crash. Road conditions can also play a role, potentially implicating construction crews or the government.

Determining liability in a truck accident requires an in-depth knowledge of the industry and federal and state laws. The complexity of these cases increases your challenges when seeking fair compensation.

Fielding Law Protecting Your Rights

Truck accidents can be traumatic enough without worrying about whether those responsible will be held accountable. You can count on Fielding Law to protect your rights while aggressively pursuing fair compensation from the at-fault parties. We provide the individualized attention of a small firm with the experience and results you’d expect from the largest firms. Everything we do stems from our motto: It’s not about us; it’s about you. Get in touch with us today for a free case review.