While the statistics for motor vehicle crashes in Texas for 2015 have yet to be published, it may make for grim reading. Past years have shown a stead increase in injuries and fatalities due to large trucks. If the 2015 numbers follow a similar path, we will see another large annual increase in all types of truck crashes in the state. This begs the question – are truck wrecks becoming a public health crisis Texas?
Overview of Truck Crashes in 2014
The overall data of crashes from 2014 showed that there was an increase in truck wrecks across the board. When compared to the numbers from 2013, there was an increase of 1,783 total crashes involving trucks. Going back a further year to 2012 shows that this is the second annual increase, rising to almost 5,000 more crashes in just two years.
If 2015 statistics follow this same trend, it will confirm that the number of crashes involving trucks in Texas is a growing problem.
Non- injuries, possible injuries, possible injuries, non-incapacitated and incapacitated injuries have all shown a steady increase over this time period, making it clear that driving trucks in Texas has become more dangerous with each passing year. 2014 saw yet another increase in fatal crashes involving trucks with 113 total deaths. The Eagle Ford Shale trucking boom hasn’t helped matters. Many of the crashes have occurred in Karnes, DeWitt, Atascosa, McMullen, Gonzales and other Eagle Ford Shale counties.
The Importance of the Right Lawyer
For some reason, there is a misconception that any lawyer involved in local traffic cases or DWI’s will be capable of skilfully representing a client in a truck wreck. This is not the case. Anyone involved in a truck crash will need a lawyer who has years of experience dealing with trucking companies. Many very specialized issues arise in trucking litigation. Among these issues are log compliance, federal regulations, Texas regulations, safety standards, training practices, load limits and securement and many others. The lawyers at Cappolino Dodd Krebs, LLP have decades of combined experience in trucking cases. If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking case, give our experienced trucking attorneys a call today.
