Facts & Insight: Corpus Christi Truck Accidents
Every year, tens of thousands of lives are turned upside down as a result of trucking accidents. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 4,807 fatalities and 74,001 injuries caused by large truck accidents across the United States in 2023. In total, 168,174 large trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds were involved in traffic collisions. Texas alone saw 697 fatalities and 11,264 injuries, the highest in the country.
To learn more about large truck accidents, their causes, and your rights, review the following:
The Underlying Cause of Trucking Accidents
The trucking industry has made it a standard practice to take new drivers and churn them through a grueling, overly demanding system that causes people to drive themselves into an early grave. Using a pay scheme that only rewards truck drivers for the miles they drive, companies leave drivers unpaid for the vital non-driving work they do.
- Self-inspection
- Rig inspections at weigh-ins
- Waiting for loading and unloading
- Planning routes
- Getting a full night of rest before any drive
- Rig maintenance (independent contractors)
As a result, drivers are forced to drive long hours without breaks in order to "make the miles," leading to increased accident rates. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that 1 in 4 crashes happen after 17+ hours of driving without a break. These practices contribute directly to unsafe roads and vehicle accident fatalities. Of the thousands of truck accident fatalities that occur every year, around 700 of them are truck drivers themselves.
Our Corpus Christi truck accident lawyers know that everyone—from those in cars to those driving trucks—is placed at risk by industry practices.
- Box truck crashes
- Flatbed truck accidents
- Garbage truck accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride accidents
- Tanker truck crashes
- Tow truck collisions
- Commercial vehicle crashes
Industry veterans even instruct new drivers with an "unofficial" curriculum that encourages them to use underhanded or deceptive tactics to get around federal trucking regulations. For instance, it's common practice for drivers to keep two hours-of-service logbooks, allowing them to always have a logbook that appears compliant with the law while allowing them to drive for several hours longer than is safe.
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Common Semi-Truck Accident Injuries
Because semi-trucks are so large and heavy, they can cause catastrophic damage to other vehicles. The people in these vehicles may experience injuries that alter the course of their lives or leave their families without loved ones. Specific injuries will vary depending on the vehicles involved, the location of impact, how fast the truck and the other vehicle were traveling, and a number of other factors.
The injuries experienced in a Corpus Christi truck accident may include:
- Severe burns
- Head trauma
- Internal organ damage
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
Some injuries are not physical in nature. A person who has been in a serious semi-truck crash may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, depression, and other psychological trauma.
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Liability for a Corpus Christi Truck Accident
There are multiple parties that may be liable (legally responsible) for causing a trucking accident. The trucking company could be responsible for failing to hire trained and cautious drivers, a truck driver could be responsible for getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a shipping company could be responsible for improperly loading a truck, or a manufacturer could be to blame for producing a truck part that malfunctioned.
Because more than one party may be responsible for a trucking accident, investigations and cases related to these collisions can be particularly complex. Working with a firm that has proven experience handling truck accident claims is your best opportunity at identifying all potentially at-fault parties and seeking the full compensation you deserve.
Liability in your case can be revealed after a thorough investigation. This may include cataloging and reviewing physical evidence, gathering witness testimony, reviewing police reports, obtaining black box information from the truck, and more. It takes resources and access to experts in various fields to accomplish this, but our firm is up to the task.
By working with investigators and accident reconstruction specialists, our Corpus Christi truck accident firm can determine what caused a crash and who's liable.
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Types of Compensation Available
A person who has been injured in a truck accident may be able to recover compensation from the at-fault party (or parties). This is meant to help them rebuild to where their lives were before the accident occurred and may include economic and non-economic damages to cover every loss, expense, and injury they experienced.
Compensation in a Corpus Christi truck accident case may include:
- Medical bills, including hospitalization, medication, medical supplies, and more
- Ongoing treatment and care, such as physical therapy or assistive devices
- Lost earnings, wages, and benefits, including loss of future earnings
- Emotional trauma, such as pain, suffering, and mental anguish
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded as a penalty to the at-fault party for particularly egregious acts of negligence or wrongdoing that caused a truck accident. Punitive damages also serve to make an example of the defendant to discourage others from doing the same. Recovering a fair settlement or award may not be able to prevent an accident from occurring in the first place, but it can serve to make a difference by holding the responsible parties accountable and giving survivors and families a way to face stable and secure futures.
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UPS Truck Accident Attorneys in Corpus Christi
UPS, one of the largest logistics companies, has seen significant scrutiny due to its safety record. According to data from the FMCSA's Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System, UPS was involved in 67 fatal accidents and 1,053 injury accidents from April 2020 to April 2022. With a vast fleet of 134,070 vehicles and 127,017 drivers who covered approximately 3.33 billion miles in 2020 alone, these numbers reflect both the scale of UPS's operations and the critical importance of safety measures within such a large network.
The company’s injury accident rate stands at 0.158 accidents per million vehicle miles traveled, positioning UPS among the higher accident rates in the trucking industry. This statistic highlights the challenges that come with managing a massive fleet and shows why it's crucial to have strong safety protocols and ongoing training for drivers to reduce risks. If you're involved in an accident with a UPS truck, involving an experienced truck accident attorney can be a game-changer, helping you navigate these complicated situations with confidence.
Find out how often trucking companies get into accidents on the FMCSA website.
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Corpus Christi FedEx Truck Accident Lawyers
FedEx, another major player in the logistics and transportation industry, has a significant presence on the road. This comes with a noteworthy number of accidents. According to SAFER System data, FedEx Ground reported the highest number of fatal truck accidents nationwide with 80 fatalities and 911 injury accidents recorded from April 2020 to April 2022. With a fleet of 101,975 vehicles and 124,527 drivers, FedEx Ground traveled approximately 3.24 billion miles in 2021.
As a large and intricately structured company, FedEx is a formidable opponent for a victim of a trucking accident. It takes a firm with the resources and skill to face off against teams of lawyers and investigators who will try to do everything in their power to limit victims' recoveries. Arnold & Itkin is such a firm. We've faced off against some of the biggest and most well-funded companies, negotiating settlements and winning verdicts that have changed our clients' lives.
If you were harmed in a FedEx or UPS truck accident, call our Corpus Christi commercial vehicle attorneys for help holding either company accountable.
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About Corpus Christi, TX
Located in South Texas, Corpus Christi is located on the coast and is the county seat of Nueces County. Its name means “Body of Christ” in Latin, named by an explorer from Spain who discovered the area on the Feast of Corpus Christi. The area acted as a trading post during the Mexican-American War and was the site of a key battle during the Civil War.
Today, Corpus Christi is a bustling city with an economy that spans many sectors, from chemical and petroleum manufacturing to aerospace and aviation. Corpus Christi is home to numerous neighborhoods and suburbs. Some of these neighborhoods include Bayside, South Side, North Beach, Mustang Island, and Gardendale. Key suburbs include Portland and Robstown. The main ways in and out of Corpus Christi are by air (the Corpus Christi International Airport) and highway. Texas State Highway 44 connects the city to Laredo and southwestern Texas, while Interstate 37 and Interstate 69E connect Corpus Christi to Victoria and Brownsville. Within the city, commuters can get around via public transportation on 28 bus routes controlled by the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority.
The major highways in the Corpus Christi area are:
- U.S. Highway 77
- U.S. Highway 181
- Interstate 37
- Interstate 68E
- Texas State Highway 35
- Texas State Highway 44
- Texas State Highway 286
- Texas State Highway 357
- Texas State Highway 358
- Texas State Highway 361
Freight comes into Corpus Christi from San Antonio through the Union Pacific Railroad. Domestic and international goods come through the Port of Corpus Christi, which is the fifth largest port in the United States. The Harbor Bridge and the John F. Kennedy Causeway provide access to Corpus Christi as well.
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Get a Free Consultation with Our Corpus Christi Trucking Lawyers
Arnold & Itkin's job is simple: we help people get their lives back after life-shattering accidents. Our trucking attorneys have won billions of dollars for our clients, helping them get medical care, keep their homes, feed their families, and replace their present and future income. Every case begins with one phone call (or online form).
If our Corpus Christi truck accident lawyers can help you, we'll cover the cost of your case from start to finish, no matter how long it takes. We pay for court fees, expert witnesses, accident reconstruction—whatever is necessary to make your case as strong as possible. We even advance our fee so our clients never pay a single penny out of pocket. If you win your case, our firm receives an agreed-upon portion of it to pay for the case costs. If you don't, you'll still owe nothing.
When negligence changes lives, our Corpus Christi truck accident lawyers demand answers. Call (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.
