Thousands of people in the United States perish in large truck crashes each year, and many more sustain serious injuries. Unfortunately, Texas has more traffic fatalities than almost any other state. In fact, it is one of 10 states that together represented over 51 percent of fatal crashes between 2015 and 2017 that involved at least one large truck or bus.
But how does Austin fare when compared to other major Texas cities? The Texas Department of Transportation published a county-by-county comparison of commercial motor vehicle-involved crashes and injuries for 2018. Here are the five most populated Texas counties and their 2018 commercial vehicle accident statistics:
1. Harris County (Houston)
Population: 4.2 million
Commercial vehicle crashes: 5,767
Commercial vehicle fatalities: 29
Suspected serious injuries: 103
2. Dallas County (Dallas)
Population: 2.4 million
Commercial vehicle crashes: 3,753
Commercial vehicle fatalities: 29
Suspected serious injuries: 109
3. Bexar County (San Antonio)
Population: 2.004 million
Commercial vehicle crashes: 2,420
Commercial vehicle fatalities: 14
Suspected serious injuries: 37
4. Tarrant County (Fort Worth)
Population: 1.8 million
Commercial vehicle crashes: 2,067
Commercial vehicle fatalities: 14
Suspected serious injuries: 48
5. Travis County (Austin)
Population: 1.1 million
Commercial vehicle crashes: 634
Commercial vehicle fatalities: 13
Suspected serious injuries: 28
While it can be tricky to compare the commercial vehicle accident rates of counties whose populations differ vastly, breaking down the data as CMV accidents “per person” reveals that Dallas County has the highest rate with .0016 accidents per person. Travis County has the lowest with .0006 accidents per person.
When to Contact a Texas 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer
There may be fewer commercial motor vehicle accidents on Austin roads, but that does not make the ones that occur any less devastating. Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and pose a safety risk to everyone else on the roads, particularly to occupants of passenger cars.
If you were injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, you may be entitled to financial recovery for medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of quality of life, and other economic and non-economic damages. However, it’s important to take action as soon as possible to protect your case. Here are the steps you can take now to maximize your financial recovery.
- Seek medical attention for your injuries. If there’s any possibility you are injured, seek prompt medical care from qualified professionals. Sometimes the symptoms of an injury, particularly soft tissue injuries and concussions, can take a few days to manifest. In the aftermath of a commercial vehicle accident, those few days are precious. Waiting to get an examination can cost you; insurance adjusters will point to the delay as evidence that your injury could not possibly have been serious. On the other hand, if you take a proactive approach, you will have medical records that accurately reflect your physical state right after the accident, which can be key evidence in a personal injury case.
- Contact a tractor trailer accident lawyer. Commercial vehicle accidents have the potential to become infinitely complicated due to the involvement of not only you and the driver of the vehicle, but the driver’s employer as well. If the employer behaved negligently, the company could be held liable for your accident. A tractor trailer accident lawyer will help you navigate communications with insurance providers, investigate the circumstance of your accident — which may involve obtaining internal company records — and identify who is liable so that they can be held accountable.
How FVF’s Austin Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Our truck accident lawyers in Austin, Texas, believe that hiring a personal injury attorney is never a decision that should be made on impulse. We offer free consultations in order to educate you on your rights and options without pressuring you to make a commitment.
Should you decide to hire us, our expert lawyers will dedicate their knowledge and resources to securing the best outcome for you, one that allows you to move on with your life. Contact us today for a free, remote consultation.
