How safety failures can lead to serious truck accidents on Texas highways
Every year, thousands of commercial trucks roll through Fort Worth on I-20, I-35W, Loop 820, and other busy corridors. Most of them make it where they’re going without incident. But when something goes wrong with a vehicle that weighs up to 80,000 pounds, the result can be a devastating truck accident.
A new safety snapshot from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) shows just how many trucks and drivers should never have been on the highway in the first place.
What the 2025 International Roadcheck revealed
During a 72-hour period in May 2025, inspectors in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico conducted 56,178 inspections of commercial vehicles, drivers, and cargo. On paper, the overall pass rate looks decent: about 81.6% of vehicles and 94.1% of drivers had no out-of-service violations.
But look at the flip side:
- 10,148 commercial vehicles were taken out of service.
- 3,342 drivers were pulled off the road.
- Inspectors found 13,553 vehicle and 3,317 driver out-of-service violations.
In other words, nearly 1 in 5 trucks inspected had a serious mechanical or safety problem, and about 1 in 17 drivers had a violation so significant that they were not allowed to continue driving until it was fixed.
Those aren’t minor paperwork issues. “Out of service” means the truck or driver is too dangerous to be on the road.
Brakes and tires: the biggest red flags
The International Roadcheck results confirm what truck accident lawyers see again and again: brakes and tires are at the heart of many preventable crashes.
Inspectors found:
- 3,304 brake system out-of-service violations
- 2,257 “20% defective brakes” violations
- Combined, brake issues accounted for over 41% of all vehicle out-of-service violations.
- 2,899 tire-related out-of-service violations, more than 21% of all vehicle violations.
These aren’t technicalities. Defective brakes and worn or underinflated tires can lead directly to:
- Rear-end crashes when a truck can’t stop in time
- Jackknife or rollover wrecks
- Blowouts that send a truck out of its lane
- Debris in the roadway that causes multi-vehicle collisions
In a place like Fort Worth – where heavy truck traffic mixes with commuters, families, and local drivers – those failures can turn into catastrophic highway pileups in seconds.
Driver violations: fatigue and false logs
The 2025 International Roadcheck also exposed serious problems with truck driver compliance:
- Hours-of-service violations were the top driver out-of-service issue, making up about one-third of all driver violations.
- No commercial driver’s license (CDL) and no medical card were also among the top violations.
- False logs (fake records of duty status) accounted for 10% of driver out-of-service violations.
Hours-of-service rules exist for a reason. They’re designed to prevent fatigue-related crashes. When a driver lies about how long they’ve been behind the wheel or pushes past legal limits, it isn’t just a paperwork problem. It’s a direct threat to everyone around them.
False logs and missing credentials can also be a sign of a deeper issue: a trucking company that’s cutting corners on safety to meet delivery deadlines or save money.
What this means for crash victims in Fort Worth
For people injured in a truck accident, these statistics are more than numbers. They’re evidence that many serious wrecks are not “accidents” at all. They’re the predictable result of:
- Poor maintenance
- Ignored inspection requirements
- Fatigued or improperly qualified drivers
- Companies that put profit ahead of safety
When a crash happens, an experienced Fort Worth truck accident lawyer will dig into the same types of issues highlighted in the International Roadcheck, including:
- Brake and tire condition
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Hours-of-service logs and electronic logging device (ELD) data
- Driver qualification files, CDL status, and medical certificates
- Company policies that encourage unsafe driving or skipped inspections
If a trucking company knowingly sent an unsafe truck or driver onto the road, they can—and should—be held accountable.
Taking action after a serious truck wreck in Texas
After a truck accident, the trucking company and its insurance carrier move quickly to protect their interests. Evidence such as inspection reports, black box data, dashcam footage, and maintenance records can disappear or get “lost” if you don’t act fast.
That’s why it’s critical to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney who knows how to handle commercial vehicle cases can:
- Send spoliation letters to preserve key evidence
- Work with experts to reconstruct what happened
- Identify all liable parties (driver, carrier, maintenance contractors, etc.)
- Pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more
These numbers make one thing very clear: far too many unsafe trucks and drivers are still out there. When trucking company negligence causes a wreck, you shouldn’t be left paying the price.
If you were injured in a crash involving a semi, 18-wheeler, or other commercial vehicle in Fort Worth, Dallas, or anywhere in North Texas, Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law, P.C., is ready to help. We understand how to investigate truck cases, challenge the trucking companies, and fight for the justice you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you take the first step toward accountability, recovery, and peace of mind.
"Coby is by far one of the best lawyers I've ever dealt with. He handled my case with professional skills and decisions. I will recommend him to ANYONE who has problems. Thank you, Mr Wooten, for taking such good care of me and my family." - Justin A., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐