Texas has a growing population, a strong economy, and the largest network of roads in the continental United States. More than ever, delivery trucks play a large part in getting individuals and organizations the goods they need to function every day. The downside is that these trucks often get into accidents.
As the effects of the pandemic recede and gas prices fall, Texas and the rest of the United States are experiencing heavier automobile traffic, and delivery truck accidents are on the rise.
Texas Truck Accident Trends
Truck accident statistics show that in 2023, the trend toward more accidents is continuing, as the number of accidents has increased over the past few years. We’ll look at some of the numbers related to large truck accidents in Texas and the United States, consider some of the circumstances that contribute to delivery truck accidents, and discuss the steps you can take to protect yourself if you are in a crash.
What Are Delivery Trucks?
In Texas, delivery trucks can be large, medium, or light-duty commercial trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a large truck as any truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that exceeds 10,000 pounds.
Light-duty commercial trucks, including box trucks, transit trucks, and cargo vans, weigh less than 10,000 pounds. Definitions of “light truck” can vary; the Texas legislature says that any “pickup truck, panel delivery truck, or carryall truck that has a manufacturer’s rated carrying capacity of 2,000 pounds or less” is a light truck.
What Are Some Current National Truck Accident Statistics?
Across the United States, the number of truck accidents resulting in injuries is increasing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 5,788 people died in large-truck crashes in 2021, a 17% increase since 2020. 72% of the fatalities involved occupants of other vehicles, while pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for 11% of the deaths. According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) researchers, 27% of crash deaths in 2021 involved single-unit trucks.
The NHTSA also counted 155,000 injuries resulting from large truck accidents in 2021, an increase of 5%. 71% of the injuries involved occupants in other vehicles, while non-occupants suffered 2% of the injuries. Most of the crashes happened during the day.
Delivery Truck Accident 2023 Statistics in Texas
In 2022, Texas had the most truck accidents of any state in the United States. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 21,153 large trucks were involved in fatal and non-fatal accidents in 2023. 803 people lost their lives, and 10,544 suffered minor to serious injuries.
FMCSA crash records gathered through July 31, 2023, report that 11,846 large trucks were involved in fatal and non-fatal accidents in 2023. 367 people lost their lives, and 6,146 suffered minor to serious injuries. This puts Texas on track to meet or exceed the previous year’s accident, fatality, and injury count by the beginning of 2024.
Major Companies with Delivery Truck Accidents on Texas Roads
As more people shop online and elect to have purchases shipped to their homes, the need for delivery trucks and drivers is increasing. Companies like Amazon and delivery services like FedEx and UPS transport billions of packages every year. They are responding to increasing demand by increasing the size of their fleets, which means that more delivery trucks are on the road.
FedEx
As of January 1, 2024, the FMCSA reports that FedEx had over 102,000 vehicles and nearly 125,000 drivers on the road. During 2022 and 2023, the agency reported that drivers were involved in 2743 crashes, with 92 fatalities and 861 accidents resulting in injuries.
UPS
UPS employs more than 128,000 drivers and operates more than 112,000 vehicles. During 2022 and 2023, UPS drivers were involved in 2724 UPS truck accidents, resulting in 71 fatalities and 930 injuries.
Amazon
Amazon has a variety of delivery vehicles in its fleet, including Volvo’s heavy-duty electric trucks, Shyft Group’s heavy-duty Utilimaster delivery trucks, and gas-powered vans like Ford Transits, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, and Ram ProMasters. It also hires drivers who use their personal vehicles to deliver packages to customers.
Common Causes of Texas Delivery Truck Crashes
Delivery trucks are large, heavy, and bulky vehicles that can be difficult to drive and maneuver. Drivers have to navigate blind spots and heavy traffic and combat fatigue on a daily basis. They often work under difficult conditions that encourage them to rush. These are just a few of the circumstances that can increase the probability of accidents.
Below, we’ve listed some of the most common factors involved in delivery truck crashes:
Speeding
Speeding is common on Texas roads, and drivers that are moving forward at an excessively inappropriate speed can pose a significant danger to other vehicles. Fully loaded, speeding trucks can be difficult to control and require longer distances to completely stop.
Driver Fatigue
Delivery drivers who spend many hours on the road with little rest under the added pressure of tight delivery schedules can easily become fatigued. Exhaustion can lead to impaired judgment and poor reaction times, decrease cognitive abilities, and even cause drivers to fall asleep at the wheel.
Distracted Driving
Delivery drivers often need to use mobile device apps and follow GPS navigation systems to complete tasks, make scheduled deliveries on time, and find their destinations on unfamiliar routes. Unfortunately, using mobile devices and GPS navigation systems can cause drivers to look away from the road and lose awareness of changing traffic conditions, which increases the likelihood of accidents.
Aggressive Driving
Delivery trucks can be difficult to maneuver and have limited braking capability. These characteristics make aggressive driving behaviors like quick lane changes, tailgating, and ignoring signage and signals very dangerous.
Impaired Driving
Drivers who are on the road when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are likely to suffer from slow reaction times and impaired judgment. These impairments increase the odds of an accident that will cause harm to themselves or others.
Inadequate Driver Training
Some Texas truck accidents are caused by inexperienced and inadequately trained drivers. Delivery truck drivers who are properly licensed and trained to handle large commercial trucks are much better equipped to drive safely.
Safety Violations
Texas has commercial motor vehicle (CMV) laws that govern the activities of companies and their delivery trucks and drivers. Drivers who exceed the allowable number of driving hours without rest and companies that skip safety inspections are violating safety regulations and putting other drivers and pedestrians at risk.
Improper Cargo Loading
An improperly loaded truck can create an imbalance in the center of gravity of the truck that can cause it to tip or crash.
Poor Truck Maintenance
It’s an unfortunate fact that some truck owners and companies put off maintenance to save time and money. Unfortunately, this negligent behavior can lead to equipment failure, which can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and get into serious accidents. Brake failures and tire blowouts can easily contribute to delivery truck crashes.
In general, being knowledgeable about the factors that contribute to delivery truck accidents can help you avoid danger and stay safe.
Other Factors That Contribute to Truck Accidents in Texas
Aside from driver error, improper truck maintenance, and other driver- or vehicle-related issues, there are other factors that contribute to delivery truck maintenance, such as:
Heavy Traffic and Congestion
Texas roads often experience heavy congestion, with about 58% of its interstates experiencing heavy traffic on a regular basis. These conditions increase the risk of crashes and also increase wear and tear on the roads.
Population Density and Industrial Concentration
Urban areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio often experience a large number of truck accidents because so many vehicles are concentrated in these busy areas. Delivery trucks are also likely to cause collisions in neighborhoods where traffic is more erratic. Areas like the Eagle Ford Shale that are critical to the oil and gas industry are also susceptible to industry-related delivery truck accidents.
Poorly Maintained Roads
Texas has the unfortunate distinction of being known for its badly maintained roads and highways, and Houston has some of the worst road conditions in the United States.
What Should You Do After a Crash with a Texas Delivery Truck?
If you are involved in an accident with a delivery truck in Texas, it’s important to call the authorities, get medical attention, and seek legal representation to protect your rights.
After a collision, make sure to gather evidence, take photographs of the accident scene, document your injuries, and get a police report. Also, make sure to get insurance information from the driver or their employer.
Who Is Liable for Delivery Truck Accidents?
Many victims of delivery truck crashes assume that the company that owns or provides the truck and employs the driver will be responsible for damages after an accident. Unfortunately, if the driver of the delivery truck is classified as an independent contractor, filing a liability claim can be complicated. Companies like Amazon, UPS, and FedEx often hire private citizens as delivery drivers without using them as full-time employees. This practice helps them to be more profitable and sometimes avoid liability after a crash.
Taking Legal Action Following a Texas Delivery Truck Accident
If you are harmed in a delivery truck accident, you may be able to file a claim against the delivery company, the contractor who provided the delivery truck, or the delivery truck driver, depending on the circumstances. To increase your chances of filing a successful claim, you will need to hire delivery truck attorneys who can review the relevant insurance policies and hold the responsible party accountable. In some instances, more than one entity can be held liable. Depending on the driver’s status, you may be entitled to receive a monetary award that compensates you for damages like property loss and medical expenses. Liability is rarely simple in delivery truck crashes, so it’s important to seek guidance from an experienced truck accident attorney.
Do You Need Legal Help With a Delivery Truck Crash in Texas? Contact [XYZ law firm]!
Following any accident with a delivery truck, it’s important to protect your rights and seek compensation for your losses. Delivery companies often impose difficult working conditions on their drivers and try to avoid being held liable after a crash, so it’s wise to hold them accountable. The experienced truck accident lawyers at [XYZ law firm] can hold the proper parties accountable and help you claim the damages you deserve.
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Sources:
https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/CrashStatistics/rptSummary.aspx
https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=265752
https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=21800
https://www.worktruckonline.com/10211176/amazon-becomes-the-biggest-us-delivery-business
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN24C06U/