Thousands of truck accidents are reported across the state of Texas every year. In 2024, more than 39,000 accidents involving tractor-trailers, big rigs, and semi-trucks unfolded on Texas roads and highways, many caused by negligent motorists, auto defects, and overly ambitious trucking services. Others, however, are caused, at least in part, by dangerous road conditions.
Often, road conditions make truck accidents more likely to happen, especially when other factors like distracted driving, poorly maintained rigs, or bad weather are at play.
At Dow Law Firm, our Round Rock truck accident lawyers have decades of experience litigating complex, high-stakes truck accident lawsuits on behalf of injured motorists and families in Texas. We understand how dangerous roads contribute to truck accidents in cities like Round Rock, and how those hazards can complicate civil claims for damages and liability.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, don’t hesitate to contact our Round Rock truck accident attorneys for a free consultation.
What Types of Road Hazards Contribute to Truck Accidents in Texas?
Trucks are larger, heavier, and more difficult to navigate than smaller cars on the road. That means even under optimal road conditions, trucks are more likely to get into accidents than other vehicles. When the roads themselves are in disrepair, the chances of a truck getting into an accident increase significantly.
Some of the most common types of road hazards and dangerous conditions that can contribute to truck accidents include:
Potholes
When a large truck’s tire hits a pothole, it can throw the truck off balance and destabilize the vehicle. It’s possible for the truck to roll over or jackknife as the truck driver attempts to correct course.
Potholes can also cause tire blowouts or damage to the truck’s suspension or braking systems, thereby leading to mechanical issues that could cause accidents or breakdowns in the future. Potholes can form, and road surfaces can become uneven over time when roads are well-traveled, especially by large commercial trucks.
Poorly Marked Lanes
Truck drivers rely on bright, clearly defined line markings to maintain their lane of traffic. When lane markings are missing or difficult to see, it’s harder for truckers to move into adjacent lanes of traffic inadvertently, thereby increasing the chances of colliding with oncoming traffic or nearby vehicles.
Poor Drainage
Designing a road is a highly complex and detailed process. Engineers have to take many factors into account when designing a road, including drainage. If a road isn’t designed properly, it can accumulate standing water. This can pose a number of problems.
In the short term, it can be dangerous for trucks to drive through large puddles of water, increasing the risk of hydroplaning or damage to the vehicle’s structure. In the long term, road surfaces can erode and become less stable. When driven over by a large commercial truck, the road could crumble and give way, causing the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Roads can become damaged from wear and tear over time, especially if they’re heavily traveled by large trucks.
Who’s Liable For a Truck Accident Caused By Dangerous Roads?
It depends. Just because roads are in poor condition doesn’t excuse negligent driving behaviors. In fact, if roads are in disrepair, it often requires drivers to exercise greater caution behind the wheel. Ultimately, anyone who contributes to a truck accident in Round Rock or elsewhere in Texas can be liable, including the government agency that’s responsible for those dangerous roads.
If it can be proven that the agency that designed the road or maintained the roads knew about a road hazard, or that it should have known about a dangerous condition, it can be liable for a related truck accident. So can any motorists or parties that also contributed to that truck accident.
Contact a Round Rock Truck Accident Lawyer For Help Today
Don’t navigate the aftermath of a truck accident in Round Rock, TX, on your own, especially if something like poor road conditions contributed to the collision. Call Dow Law Firm today at (512) 240-9951 and have our award-winning truck accident attorneys in Round Rock help you launch a winning legal claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.