Because of their sheer size and weight, tractor trailers can cause serious
injuries when they collide with passenger vehicles. Many truck accidents can be
avoided when big rigs are operated by skilled drivers with proper training,
rest, and focus, but poor road conditions can affect every type of driver and
vehicle. The combination of hazardous roads and 18-wheelers can lead to
catastrophic accidents.
What Is the Relationship Between Poor Road Conditions and Trucking Accidents?
Although many truck accidents are caused by driver error, poor road conditions
are also a leading factor, as stated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA). Dangerous road conditions can cause a driver to lose control of the truck,
causing the rig to jackknife or rollover, which can lead to a multi-vehicle pileup. Roadway problems that can
contribute to deadly truck accidents include:
- Improper road design
- Potholes
- Shoulder drop-offs
- Uneven road surfaces
- Exposed rebar
- Broken concrete
- Debris in the road
- Sinkholes
- Cracks in the roadway
- Lack of adequate signage
- Poor drainage
- Poor traffic control in construction zones
These types of road conditions can cause a tire to blow out or cause the driver
to lose control. This could lead to a rollover, jackknifing, or a collision with
another vehicle.
Dangerous Roads in Texas
Texas roadways have experienced a high volume of heavily loaded trucks due to
the oil boom in the Permian Basin. With the increase in truck traffic throughout
this region, the various roadways in western Texas have begun to break down more
quickly than initially anticipated. This has ultimately resulted in a feedback
loop, wherein the rise in traffic and truck accidents increases the damage to
the roads, and that damage then leads to additional truck accidents.
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident Under Dangerous Road Conditions?
There may be multiple responsible parties in a truck accident claim. If poor
road conditions contributed to a trucking accident, potentially liable parties
may include:
- Truck driver: Commercial drivers are responsible for preventing truck
accidents that cause harm to others. If driver negligence contributed to the
crash, the truck driver may be liable.
- Trucking company: The company that employs the driver may be held liable for
the driver’s actions, if they pushed the driver to ignore U.S. trucking
regulations.
- Government agency: Local or state agencies are responsible for repairing or
correcting unsafe road conditions. If poor road conditions contributed to
the trucking accident that caused your injuries, the government agency
responsible for maintaining the road may be partially liable.
If you have been injured in a Permian Basin truck accident, contact Sorey &
Hoover, LLP at (903) 230-5600 today. Our Texas trucking accident attorneys
can investigate the crash to determine fault and liability, obtain and preserve
evidence to support your claim, assess the full extent of your damages, deal
with insurance companies on your behalf, and effectively pursue the compensation
you deserve.
