Large commercial trucks — more commonly referred to as semi-trucks or 18-wheelers — are involved in nearly 500,000 collisions each year across the country, and data from the Insurance Institue of Highway Safety (IIHS) found that 4,136 people were killed in big rig collisions in 2018. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced that they would be undertaking a new study to determine what causes truck accidents. While the FMCSA has released a previous truck accident causation study in 2007, this latest study will provide updated insights into why accidents involving large trucks take place and how to potentially prevent them. Semi-truck crashes are often most devastating for those traveling in smaller passenger cars, and accident victims may need the help of a Houston truck accident lawyer at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, in order to recover the compensation they deserve. 

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Houston

Accidents involving motor vehicles are often complex, particularly when they involve a semi-truck or commercial vehicle. There are many factors that may contribute to the accident. The FMCSA coded many variables to assess trucking accidents, with the three main categories being:

• Critical events. Three primary categories for critical events involving large truck accidents include leaving the travel lane, loss of control, and colliding with the rear of another vehicle. Loss of control could be caused by driving too fast for conditions, a shift in cargo, a system malfunction, or inclement roadway conditions.
• Critical reasons. Three primary categories of critical reasons include driver, vehicle, and environment. Driver reasons are further broken down into non-performance, recognition, decision, and performance. In the latest report, it was found that a majority of accidents (78%) were caused by driver error. 
• Associated factors. Associated factors further categorize the causes of semi-truck accidents. There are hundreds of related factors described in the FMCSA report. Some of the leading reasons include brake malfunction, lack of familiarity with the road, prescription drug use, traffic flow interruptions, illegal roadway maneuvers, and drowsiness. 

The FMCSA Conducts a New Study

The new study from the FMCSA will review the causes of trucking accidents across the country and identify the common factors associated with 18-wheeler accidents to provide insight to prevent future accidents. The new survey will consider changes in technology, vehicle safety, and driver behaviors since the last study. For example, it is likely that an increase in distracted driving due to cellphone use and texting will contribute to more accidents. There also may be changes related to new fleet management, navigation systems, and safety features that contribute to big rig crashes. 

It is the goal of the FMCSA to study and explain how well truck safety systems perform in order to prevent serious accidents. At this time, the FMCSA is accepting requests and comments on how to undertake this new study. New research will develop a baseline of factors relating to truck accidents to improve strategies for crash avoidance. Deadly trucking accidents have been rising steadily, and the study could offer answers to reverse this alarming trend. 

Best Truck Accident Lawyers Houston

Houston 18-wheeler accidents can have severe consequences for crash victims, and the size and speed of these massive vehicles make them particularly dangerous. Injured parties should consult with a qualified Houston big truck lawyer to pursue the compensation they deserve after a crash. If you were injured in a trucking accident, West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD can help. Nhan Nguyen, Nader A. Rabie, and the rest of our qualified legal team can provide you with the top-quality legal representation necessary for a successful personal injury claim. You may be owed compensation for your damages, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Give us a call at 713-840-7200 to see what we can do for you.