Aside from accounting for 10% of all highway miles driven in the United States, commercial trucking vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The average sedan weighs only 5,000. A commercial truck can be anywhere from 70-80 ft in length, and tower some 10 feet above other, smaller vehicles. It is no secret; an 18-wheeler is an immense piece of machinery, often moving at incredibly fast speeds. In a busy town like Corpus Christi, the magnitude of these vehicles mean that their operators are responsible for their own safety as well as the safety of surrounding traffic each time they climb behind the wheel. In the event of a collision, a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer may be your best chance to obtain the compensation you deserve.

What Causes Trucking Accidents?

Auto accidents in Corpus Christi involving commercial trucking vehicles can be devastating, and there are a multitude of causes for an accident involving an 18 wheeler and a smaller vehicle. Beyond the fact that these vehicles are so large in size and momentum, many other things can go wrong and threaten the safety of everyone sharing the road with these vehicles. Some of the most common sources of a commercial trucking vehicle which a truck accident lawyer in Corpus Christi can help you determine might include:

Inclement Weather Conditions

Because Corpus Christi lies on the coast of Texas, there are often torrential rains and even seasonal hurricane weather. Under these circumstances, roads can be affected and unsafe for large commercial vehicles and surrounding traffic.

Mechanical Failure/Malfunction

If the truck itself malfunctions, or there is some mechanical or structural defect, sometimes it can be traced back to a manufacturer or company that produced the truck’s parts in a negligent manner. It is also the trucking company and its employees’ responsibility to maintain appropriate maintenance records and perform routine maintenance checks.

Driver Negligence