Four Examples of Truck Driver Negligence That Can Cause Serious Accidents

Commercial trucks keep America moving. From delivering produce to transporting petroleum from Houston’s refineries across the nation, large trucks are essential to our economy. But they also present serious dangers on the road. Tractor-trailers and flatbeds can weigh up to 30 times more than passenger vehicles, and when negligence occurs behind the wheel, the results are often catastrophic.

If a negligent truck driver injured you or a loved one, you may have the right to seek significant compensation. Trust Guss Injury Lawyers is ready to fight for you.

Driving While Impaired

Truck driving is a grueling, high-pressure job. Some drivers turn to alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications to manage the stress, stay awake, or dull pain from injuries. Unfortunately, impairment—no matter the cause—makes the road more dangerous for everyone.

Common substances involved in truck driver impairment include:

• Alcohol
• Amphetamines
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Prescription painkillers

Each of these substances affects a driver's reaction time, judgment, and coordination. Amphetamines and cocaine may initially increase alertness but often lead to reckless behaviors like speeding or aggressive driving. Meanwhile, alcohol, marijuana, and many medications slow reaction time and cause drowsiness—sometimes with deadly consequences.

Federal regulations require random drug and alcohol testing for truck drivers. Still, some slip through the cracks. When a trucker chooses to drive impaired, they should be held accountable for the injuries they cause.

Fatigued Driving

Fatigue is one of the most underestimated dangers in the trucking industry. Long shifts, irregular sleep patterns, and pressure to meet tight deadlines can leave drivers dangerously drowsy behind the wheel.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving causes approximately 100,000 crashes every year. Research shows that fatigue impairs reaction time, attention, and decision-making ability as much as alcohol. Federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations limit how long truckers can drive without rest, but many drivers—and some employers—violate these rules to meet delivery schedules.

If a fatigued truck driver caused your crash, a skilled Houston truck accident lawyer can investigate whether HOS violations contributed to the wreck.

Distracted Driving

Texting, eating, adjusting the GPS, reaching for items—the list of potential distractions in a truck cab is long.

Distracted driving among truckers is especially dangerous. Studies show:

• Truck drivers who text are 23 times more likely to cause an accident.
• Dialing a phone increases crash risk by 5.9 times for truckers.
• Even reaching for a device raises the chance of a crash by 6.7 times.

Federal law prohibits commercial drivers from texting or using handheld phones while driving. Yet distractions remain a serious threat on Texas highways. Whether a trucker was texting, checking an email, or adjusting a navigation system, distracted driving is negligence—and injured victims deserve justice.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Time is money in the trucking industry. Some drivers, pressured to meet tight schedules, push the limits by:

• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Running red lights
• Making unsafe lane changes

When a speeding 80,000-pound truck collides with a passenger car, the outcome is often devastating. Aggressive driving can escalate into road rage—a criminal act that includes intentionally tailgating, cutting off other drivers, and even physical violence. According to studies, road rage contributed to over 12,600 injuries and 200+ murders over just seven years.

Truckers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely. When they prioritize speed over safety, they should be held responsible for the injuries they cause.

Improperly Secured Cargo: Another Serious Risk

In addition to driving behaviors, improperly secured cargo poses a deadly threat. Cargo that shifts or falls onto the roadway can cause devastating crashes.

Common hazards from unsecured loads include:

• Tires and wheels
• Lumber and metal
• Furniture and appliances
• Tow trailers

Shifting cargo can also unbalance a trailer, leading to rollovers, jackknife accidents, or loss of control. Federal regulations set strict cargo securement rules. When trucking companies or drivers fail to follow these rules, they put every driver around them at risk.

Proving Truck Driver Negligence

Truckers and trucking companies rarely admit fault. That’s why you need an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer to investigate and build your case.

At Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, we know how to uncover critical evidence, including:

• Subpoenaing cellphone records
• Reviewing logbooks and Hours of Service violations
• Analyzing black box data (event data recorders)
• Securing maintenance and drug testing records
• Deposing the driver and witnesses

We build strong cases designed to prove negligence, hold truckers and trucking companies accountable, and get you maximum compensation.

Recoverable Damages in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident victims often face overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial losses. You may be eligible to recover damages for:

• Emergency medical care, surgeries, and hospitalization
• Long-term rehabilitation or therapy
• Lost income and loss of future earning potential
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma, PTSD, and anxiety
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of companionship or quality of life

In the most severe cases, we also pursue punitive damages to punish egregious misconduct and deter future negligence.

Call a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Today

You deserve a team that understands the complexity of truck accident cases—and knows how to win. At Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, we have spent decades helping truck accident victims across Houston and Texas. We stand ready to fight for your rights, your recovery, and your future.

Call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us online for your free, confidential consultation. We are available 24/7, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Don’t take chances—let us help you.