The 5 Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in Houston

According to the Texas Department of Transportation. Houston recorded over 66,000 traffic accidents in 2024. Harris County had more than 115,000 accidents, which was approximately 20 percent of all accidents that occurred in Texas.

Within the county, over 6,300 accidents involved commercial motor vehicles. Another 3,300 were attributed to the driver being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Accidents involving trucks can result in serious injury and damage because the vehicles tend to be larger and heavier. The type of truck, the weather conditions, and the time of day can all play a role in the cause and severity of an accident.

Accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. They can be single-vehicle or multi-vehicle. They may involve pedestrians. The following are five of the most common types of truck accidents in Houston.

Multi-Vehicle Collisions

Rear-end collisions, jackknife accidents, and rollover accidents are three common types of collisions involving trucks. Jackknife accidents can be especially serious and often occur during periods of bad weather or poor visibility.

Distracted Driving

Driver inattentiveness continues to be a common cause of accidents. Glancing away from the road, adjusting or reading a screen, or any activity that pulls a driver’s attention away from the road can result in an accident.

Speeding

Excessive speed accounted for almost 100,000 accidents in urban areas of Texas in 2024. For large trucks, speed can be dangerous because they can’t easily slow down or stop.

Lane Changes

A driver’s failure to signal or check before switching lanes is another common cause of accidents. Larger trucks can have sizable blind spots, and other drivers may not always realize that they aren’t visible to the truck driver.

Turning

Turning into the wrong lane, or turning too wide or too tight, are common causes of accidents. Similar to lane changes, other drivers may not always appreciate that larger trucks require a larger turn radius. Drivers may also underestimate how much space they need to turn.

Hire a Skilled Lawyer Who Knows Texas

Truck accidents can range from minor to serious and potentially involve tens of thousands of dollars. Knowing the reasons for an accident, as well as the road conditions and situation when the accident occurred, is crucial in any accident case. The attorneys at Manfred Law can help. Call us at 713-547-5460 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.