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18 wheeler on the highway

Eighteen-wheelers are the undisputed kings of the road. In the United States, the trucking industry is the backbone of the American supply chain. Currently, 13 million trucks are registered across the US, and 2.9 million are 18-wheelers. In 2022, trucking reported $940.8 billion in gross freight revenue. There are 1.86 million companies that have either semi-trucks, straight trucks, or hazmat trucks in their daily operations.

A semi-truck can be 70-80 feet long and weigh 80,000 pounds. Most experienced drivers know to give an 18-wheeler plenty of space, allowing it to reach its destination safely. Despite this, 18-wheeler accidents are quite common in Texas. 

These accidents are often caused by human error, mechanical failures, or poor road conditions. The aftermath is usually destructive, with the driver of the smaller vehicle frequently being rushed to the hospital with severe or life-threatening injuries. To better understand what causes 18-wheeler accidents and why these particular incidents are so catastrophic, the Hernandez Law Group has taken a closer look. We aim to prepare our community by spreading awareness of the horrific aftermath of these accidents and providing tips on how to avoid them so drivers are safer on the road. Here is what our team has found.

Introduction to 18-Wheeler Accidents in Texas

Initially, the first 18-wheeler was designed to transport other vehicles. Alexander Winton, the CEO and founder of the Winton Motor Carriage Company of Cleveland, Ohio, realized he was facing a major problem—sales for his company’s cars were coming in from all around the United States. While this was great for business, he could not deliver his vehicles to customers who lived far across the country. The usual method involved shipping the car via train or driving it to the customer’s garage, but both methods were impractical for cross-country deliveries. Delivery by train was expensive and risked damaging the car during transport. Driving the new vehicle long distances increased mileage, lowering its value, and damage from an accident or impact was also a concern. 

Alexander Winton’s solution was to attach a trailer to the back of a truck. This ingenuity allowed him to transport one car at a time, creating the world’s first version of a semi-truck.

A Closer Look at Semi-Trucks Today

Eighteen-wheelers have evolved considerably from their clunky ancestors. These machines can carry a lot more than one vehicle and are responsible for moving goods across the U.S. From furniture and gasoline to brand-new cars, semi-trucks are always on the move. Here is an overview of the standard specifications of a modern tractor-trailer.

Engine: The 18-wheeler’s engine is six times larger and more powerful than the standard vehicle. This allows the tractor-trailer to power tow massive amounts of cargo while enabling it to reach an acceptable speed on our interstates and highways.

Turning radius: The average semi-truck needs at least 55 feet of space to complete a turn and is equipped with large side mirrors to allow the driver to see in their blind spots. Drivers of these massive vehicles need a special license to operate them, and for good reason. Most roads in the U.S. are only 24 ft. wide, but since the tractor-trailer needs 55 feet to complete a successful turn, semi-truck drivers have to be experts at backing and maneuvering in tight spaces, which takes lots of practice.

Why Is Understanding the Specifications of an 18-Wheeler Important?

While drivers across the country and the state of Texas are wary of these large vehicles, many still fail to understand their sheer power and how difficult it is to drive them. Unlike the modern car, which can stop on a dime due to its lighter weight, 18-wheelers need plenty of space to come to a stop. The weight and power of these vehicles make them more challenging to maneuver, but this doesn’t stop regular drivers from whipping in front of an 18-wheeler on urban roads and interstates.

With more awareness of the challenges that truck drivers face and the space needed to turn and stop safely, drivers of smaller vehicles may make better decisions when approaching, passing, and interacting with an 18-wheeler.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

An upside down 18 wheeler on the side of the road

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tracks data on truck drivers and accidents across the United States. These studies have revealed the following as the most common causes of 18-wheeler accidents.

Poor Weather Conditions

Eighteen-wheelers are massive pieces of modern machinery. Because of this, they need extra space to slow down compared to standard vehicles. This is especially true during poor weather conditions, such as rainstorms and snowstorms. To better understand this, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a distance chart to outline the amount of space it takes for a semi-truck to stop safely. Here is what they have found.

  • Loaded-trailer conditions: When moving at 60mph, air-braked single-unit trucks could stop within 310 ft, and an air-braked truck tractor could stop within 355 ft.
  • Unloaded-trailer conditions: When moving at 60mph, single-unit trucks and truck tractors could both stop within 335 ft.
  • Under emergency brake conditions: When moving at 60mph, single-unit trucks could stop within 613 ft, and larger tractor-trailers could stop within 720 ft.

(Want to learn more about these distances? Here is the full report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.)

While these statistics were under normal conditions, it is important to remember that environmental factors, such as inclement weather, increase the distance needed to stop. Rain and snow make it harder for the truck’s tires to gain traction, causing them to take longer to come to a complete stop, especially if they are traveling on sloped pavement. Make sure you always provide plenty of room for truck drivers to stop, especially in inclement weather. Never cut them off, and don’t ride too closely behind. Both of these behaviors significantly increase your risk of getting into an accident.

Improper Maintenance on the Truck

Semi-trucks should be properly maintained to prevent mechanical failure on the roadway. When trucking company drivers don’t perform routine maintenance, the trucks often end up in accidents. Brake and tire problems are the most common causes of semi-truck accidents, accounting for 35% of incidents.

Driving While Under the Influence

Twenty percent of all 18-wheeler accidents were caused by drivers who were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drugs and alcohol slow down a driver’s response time, cloud their judgment, and impact their ability to make reasonable decisions.

Driver Error and Fatigue

Some truck drivers feel the strain of getting to a destination on time, prompting them to drive for long periods without proper rest. Exhaustion can lead them to fall asleep behind the wheel, make poor decisions, or have reduced reaction times.

Truck Driver Regulations

All truck drivers must be properly trained in operating their vehicles and understand state road laws and the additional state and federal regulations to protect them and other drivers on the road. These regulations cover the following:

  • The number of hours that the truck driver can drive each day
  • The weight of the truck and trailer before and after the cargo
  • Proper CDL licensing
  • Drug and alcohol testing
  • Drivers’ background and driving records
  • State and federal regulations on what the trucker can and can’t do while on the road

Unfortunately, truck driver errors often fall within two categories: operational errors or regulation errors. Operational errors deal with the truck driver’s performance, including the following:

  • Speeding
  • Failure to properly yield
  • Running lights or stop signs
  • Aggressive driving

Regulation errors involve not following state and federal regulations set to keep drivers safe. Either the truck drivers or the company that hired them can break these rules. Common errors involve:

  • Improper training of the truck driver
  • Improper maintenance of the semi-truck
  • Improper background checks
  • Not following the driving hours regulations at the state and federal level

Statistical Overview of 18-Wheeler Trucking Accidents

We rely on 18-wheelers to ensure the economy continues running, but accidents are still common. It takes a lot of training to handle these machines; unfortunately, human error, Mother Nature, and mechanical errors increase the risk of accidents. The most common types of 18-wheeler accidents include the following:

  • Rollover accidents. Speeding or improperly loading cargo can cause rollover accidents. They occur when the center of gravity within the truck is upset, causing part or all of the vehicle to roll over.
  • Jackknife accidents. Jackknifing occurs when the 18-wheeler’s front folds in, like a pocket knife. This can be the result of mechanical failure, improper braking, or poor road conditions, such as ice.
  • Underride accidents. These accidents occur when a passenger vehicle collides with an 18-wheeler and runs under the trailer. The passenger vehicle’s roof shears off, instantly killing the occupants. These accidents typically occur at night and usually result from the passenger vehicle driver not seeing the tractor-trailer turning or slowing down.
  • Unsecured load accidents. These accidents often result from poor balance or improper cargo restraining, but other causes can include load shifting during travel or wear and tear on the restraints. They have the potential to cause significant damage and injury.
  • Tire blowout accidents. These accidents occur when a tire is damaged or worn to the point that it loses all air at once or explodes. At this point, the vehicle can be extremely difficult to handle. The debris from the tire or loss of control of the tractor-trailer can cause wrecks. 

Looking at the Statistics for 18-Wheeler Accidents:

Here are the latest statistics from the National Highway and Safety Administration concerning semi-truck accidents from 2023:

  • There were 443 tractor-trailers involved in accidents in the State of Texas.
    • 318 of these tractor-trailers were involved in wrecks on rural roads
    • 125 of these tractor-trailers were involved in accidents on urban roads
  • There were a total of 12,542 truck accidents in 2023.
  • There were 563 fatalities due to truck accidents in Texas in 2023, accounting for 12% of all traffic-related fatalities for that year.
  • There were a staggering 8,710 individuals who suffered minor to severe injuries due to semi-truck accidents in Texas.

What Are the Most Common Truck Accident Injuries?

Semi-truck accidents often cause horrific and life-altering injuries. These include but are not limited to the following:

A set of Decorative Scales of Justice in the Courtroom

Semi-truck accidents are trickier than standard car accidents. After the accident, you won’t deal with the driver and their personal insurance company. Depending on the cause of the accident, liability may fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the manufacturer of the truck or specific components. Because of this, you will need an experienced Dallas truck accident attorney to help investigate your case and determine how to seek compensation and what damages you may be entitled to.

What Damages Can I Be Compensated for After a Semi-Truck Accident?

You can claim both economic and non-economic damages after a truck accident. These damages include the following:

  • Personal property damage
  • Medical expenses (both current and future)
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future wages or earning capacity
  • Emotional damages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium (in cases of wrongful death)

How Long Do I Have to File My Lawsuit?

Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations on filing a truck accident claim (from the date of the accident). However, you must take legal action quickly, as evidence can be lost during this period. An experienced truck accident attorney can help.

Proving Liability in 18-Wheeler Accidents

For your personal injury case to be successful, you must prove that the liable party was negligent and that their actions caused the accident, leading to your injuries and damages. To prove negligence, the following needs to be clearly expressed:

  1. The defendant had a duty to the injured party
  2. The defendant breached their duty
  3. This breach is what caused the injuries
  4. What damages are owed to the defendant

You need evidence to prove liability for the truck accident. Remember, in 18-wheeler accident cases, the liable party may be the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, or the manufacturer of a faulty truck part. Evidence will be crucial to establishing which party was liable and showing how their negligence led to your injuries and damages. Evidence includes but is not limited to the following:

  • Police reports
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Photos and videos of the accident
  • Medical records and bills
  • Relevant documents about truck maintenance
  • The truck driver’s logbook or personnel records from the company
  • Expert witness statements

Challenges in Trucking Accident Claims

Semi-truck accident lawsuits are complex and often challenging due to several factors. These include the size and weight of commercial trucks, which can cause catastrophic damage and cover evidence; the laws and regulations governing the trucking industry; and the number of parties that may be partially responsible for the accident. Because of this, injured individuals seeking compensation for their injuries or damages must find a reputable truck accident attorney, such as the trusted lawyers at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C.

How the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. Can Help

A book, a gavel, and a pair of legal scales.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for damages and injuries. The dedicated and passionate truck accident attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. are ready to help you on the road to recovery. We don’t back down from challenging large trucking companies to take responsibility for the accident. 

Our law firm is committed to protecting our clients, so we offer a no-win, no-fee policy. Allow us to fight for compensation while you focus on healing. Contact the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. today for more information and to schedule a free no-obligation consultation. Our family looks forward to fighting for yours. 

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