Austin is Texas’ state capital and offers many opportunities for employment for truckers. However, negligent actions from truck drivers, trucking companies, and cargo loaders can lead to catastrophic truck accidents in Austin. This type of accident is dangerous because the size and speed of a truck can destroy smaller vehicles and expose victims to significant bodily harm.
Some common causes of truck accidents include drowsy driving, improper loading, distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving. Austin truck accident victims can file a truck accident claim with the at-fault party to pursue compensation for damages.
Truck Accidents in Austin Caused by Drowsy Driving
Truck accidents in Austin ordinarily occur because of the negligent driving behavior of truck drivers. Reckless driving can expose other drivers to severe injury risk, as a truck can destroy a smaller vehicle and cause severe injuries.
One of the most common causes of an Austin truck accident is drowsy driving. This is when a fatigued driver operates their vehicle while cognitively impaired, as a lack of sleep can cause trouble concentrating, focus issues, and poor memory. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 684 drowsy driving fatalities in 2021.
This issue can affect truck drivers who work long shifts exceeding the legal trucking time limit of eleven hours. The truck drivers themselves or the trucking company may decide on these long shifts that can exhaust the driver and lead to fatigue that can cause mistakes that result in an Austin truck driving accident.
Improperly Loaded Cargo Can Cause a Truck Accident in Austin, Texas
Although truck drivers can make mistakes that cause truck accidents, the negligence of other parties can also result in Austin truck accidents. Semi-trucks that drop off cargo require cargo loaders that ensure everything is loaded correctly and cannot cause issues mid-drive.
Improper loading is when a cargo loader fails to follow federal truck loading guidelines. Mistakes that lead to improper loading include cargo exceeding legal weight limits, improper weight distribution, failing to use the right equipment, and not tying down equipment correctly.
When a truck is improperly loaded, the driver can have difficulty controlling their vehicle. It can roll over and cause a devastating rollover truck accident that affects many other drivers. This type of accident can cause severe truck accident injuries that affect a victim’s health long-term.
Distracted Driving Can Lead to an Austin Truck Accident
Austin truck accidents can also result from distracted driving, which is when a truck driver focuses on something other than the safe operation of their vehicle. Manual, visual, and cognitive distractions can distract a driver from the road.
A truck driver may not be totally focused on the road, which can lead to them missing key visual information like other vehicles, pedestrians, traffic control signals, and unexpected obstacles. This can be dangerous for a truck driver, as large semi-trucks require much longer stopping distances. Not noticing that they must stop can result in a catastrophic rear-end accident.
The following are some distractions that can cause a truck accident in Austin:
- Eating and drinking
- Texting, calling, or using social media
- Focusing too much on a GPS
- Adjusting the truck’s radio
- Looking at something other than the road
- Focusing too much on something other than driving
Austin Truck Accidents Caused by an Inebriated Driver
Drunk driving is a dangerous driving behavior because of the effect alcohol can have on the brain. Alcohol can cause reduced cognitive ability and lead to a driver experiencing worsened vision, poor decision-making, reduced coordination, etc.
Truck drivers who drink alcohol before or during their shift can experience negative effects that can lead to life-altering mistakes. An Austin truck driving accident can result from a driver failing to use a turn signal, not stopping in time, making a risky lane change, or accidentally striking another vehicle.
An Austin truck driver can become inebriated from alcohol, drugs, and strong medication. A truck driver may need to use medication at certain points in the day that have an effect on their cognitive ability, possibly leading to negative effects that can cause truck accidents.
Austin Truck Drivers Who Speed Can Lose Control of Their Vehicles
An Austin truck accident can also result from a truck driver speeding to get to their destination. Speeding is when a motorist exceeds the listed speed limit for a given road, street, or highway. Most drivers speed because they are running late or frustrated by slow traffic.
While they may think speeding can help them reach their destination faster, it can also expose them to truck accident injury risk. A speeding truck driver can cause an accident by running a red light, crashing into an unexpected obstacle, or striking a driver changing into their lane.
Speeding is dangerous for Austin truck drivers because it reduces reaction time and increases stopping distance. A large truck already has a large stopping distance of nearly two football fields, so speeding can make it even more difficult to avoid an accident by stopping the truck.
Hiring an Austin Truck Accident Lawyer
Following a truck accident in Austin, victims can file truck accident claims to hold the at-fault party accountable for damages. Some damages Austin truck accident lawyers can pursue include medical bills lost earning potential, property damage, and pain and suffering.
However, holding the liable party accountable in a truck accident claim can be difficult without legal experience. Hiring an Austin truck accident lawyer is essential in the truck accident claim process.
They can use their expertise and experience to assist you in the many complicated steps involved in a truck accident claim. They can help assess the value of your claim, determine the liable party, collect evidence, speak to expert witnesses, explain Texas truck accident laws, and negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Austin Truck Accident Claim
The Texas truck accident lawyers at The Russo Firm can help you recover compensatory damages after suffering any type of truck accident in Texas. We understand the pain and suffering caused by truck accidents and wish to hold the liable party accountable for negligence.
At The Russo Firm, we offer free consultations to show Austin truck accident victims how we can help them recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Contact us for a free Austin truck accident case evaluation at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
