How Inexperienced Truckers Cause Truck Accidents in Texas

If you’ve been injured, a truck accident lawyer can help you demand accountability

Texas highways are filled with large commercial trucks, and many driving these big rigs don’t have the experience to handle them safely. A national truck driver shortage has led companies to put undertrained drivers on the road, increasing the risk of serious tractor-trailer accidents. For victims injured in truck accidents in Fort Worth, Dallas, or anywhere else in Texas, that inexperience can mean life-changing injuries, financial stress, and a long fight for fair compensation.

In the Lone Star State, the problem is serious. Texas has more fatal trucking accidents than any other state in the country. For instance, in 2022, 810 people died in crashes involving large trucks — nearly twice the number of fatalities in California. With major highways like I-35, I-20, U.S. 287, and I-30 running through Fort Worth, the risk of an accident involving an inexperienced truck driver is high.

Studies show that semi-truck drivers with less experience are far more likely to cause accidents than those with more time behind the wheel. Inexperienced truckers struggle with vehicle control, route navigation, and adapting to changing road conditions — all of which contribute to devastating crashes, life-changing injuries, and tragic fatalities.

When trucking companies prioritize filling seats over proper training, it’s accident victims who pay the price. Identifying inexperience as a cause of a truck crash can be key to building a strong legal claim for compensation. That’s why if you were injured or a loved one died in a Texas truck wreck, it’s in your best interest to consult an attorney as soon as possible.

Why inexperienced truckers cause more accidents

Driving a tractor-trailer is not an easy job, and new truckers often lack the experience to handle dangerous situations. Many of the worst truck accidents in Texas happen because a driver wasn’t fully prepared for the challenges of the road.

Studies show that the first year of driving a commercial truck is the riskiest, regardless of the driver’s age. Inexperienced truckers have higher crash rates, are more likely to be involved in moving violations, and struggle with the complexities of handling an 80,000-pound vehicle in real-world conditions. Without enough time on the road, new drivers make mistakes that put everyone around them in danger.

• Poor Training and Lack of Safety Knowledge: Some trucking companies rush new hires through training, leaving them unprepared for emergency situations. New drivers don’t always understand weight distribution, stopping distances, or how to handle an 18-wheeler in high winds or heavy rain. Without proper training, they are more likely to misjudge turns, make unsafe lane changes, or fail to respond appropriately to traffic conditions. This lack of preparation can lead to jackknife accidents, underride crashes, rollovers, and rear-end collisions.
• Trouble Controlling the Truck in Bad Weather: Texas weather can change fast, with heavy rain, high winds, and sudden storms creating dangerous conditions. Experienced truckers know how to adjust their driving to account for slick roads and reduced visibility. Inexperienced drivers, on the other hand, may overcorrect, hydroplane, or lose control, leading to multi-vehicle pileups and jackknife crashes. Studies confirm that new drivers — regardless of age — are more prone to these types of incidents, as they lack the skills to navigate challenging road conditions safely.
• Slow Reaction Times and Poor Decision-Making: An 18-wheeler takes much longer to stop than a passenger vehicle. A split-second delay in braking or an overcorrection to avoid debris can be the difference between a near-miss and a life-threatening crash. New drivers are more likely to hesitate, misjudge distances, or fail to recognize hazards in time to react safely. Inexperienced truckers often struggle with stopping distances, emergency maneuvers, and controlling a shifting trailer, putting everyone on the road at risk.
• Navigation Mistakes on Fort Worth Roads: Texas has its fair share of tight intersections, low-clearance bridges, and heavily congested highways. Inexperienced truck drivers often rely too much on GPS or misjudge turn clearances, leading to wrong turns, abrupt stops, and lane-change accidents. These errors can block traffic, cause rollovers, or lead to rear-end crashes when passenger vehicles can’t stop in time. New drivers, particularly those in their first year on the road, are at higher risk for these types of mistakes due to a lack of familiarity with the complexities of navigating an 18-wheeler in real-world conditions.
• Lack of Familiarity with Federal and State Regulations: New truck drivers may not fully understand or comply with federal and Texas state trucking regulations, including hours-of-service rules, weight limits, and inspection requirements. This can lead to violations such as driving past legal time limits, failing to check blind spots, or neglecting pre-trip inspections, all of which increase the risk of accidents.
• Inexperience with Truck Braking Systems: Commercial trucks use air brake systems, which operate differently than the hydraulic brakes in passenger cars. New drivers often struggle with proper braking techniques, such as managing downhill speed, avoiding brake fade, and executing controlled stops on wet or icy roads. Poor braking technique can lead to runaway trucks, jackknife accidents, or rear-end collisions.
• Struggles with Fatigue Management: Long-haul trucking requires careful time management to balance legal rest periods with delivery schedules. New drivers may struggle to recognize the warning signs of fatigue or fail to plan their routes in a way that allows for proper rest breaks. Fatigue significantly impairs reaction times and decision-making, making tired truckers a serious hazard on Texas highways.
• Difficulty Adjusting to Nighttime Driving: Many trucking routes require overnight or early-morning driving, which can be particularly difficult for inexperienced truckers who are not used to extended hours behind the wheel. Night driving requires heightened awareness due to reduced visibility, glare from oncoming traffic, and increased risk of encountering fatigued or impaired drivers. Inexperience in these conditions makes crashes more likely.
• Failure to Anticipate and Adapt to Traffic Patterns: Navigating through high-traffic areas like Fort Worth requires skill and experience. New truckers may struggle with sudden slowdowns, lane merges, and the unpredictability of other drivers in urban settings. Poor merging techniques, improper lane positioning, and failure to anticipate sudden traffic shifts can all lead to accidents.
• Difficulty Managing Wide Turns: Semi-trucks require a much wider turning radius than smaller vehicles. New drivers often miscalculate how much space they need to make turns safely, leading to side-impact crashes, hitting curbs, or cutting off other vehicles in intersections. Improper turning techniques can also result in rollovers or trucks becoming stuck, blocking traffic and increasing the risk of secondary collisions.

When a truck driver’s inexperience contributes to an accident, it’s not just the driver who may be responsible. The trucking company that hired them without proper vetting or training can also be held accountable. Identifying these factors is crucial for victims seeking fair compensation after a crash.

Who’s liable when an inexperienced trucker causes a crash?

Determining liability can be complex when an inexperienced truck driver makes a mistake that leads to a serious accident. The driver may be at fault, but trucking companies, training schools, and other parties could also bear responsibility.

1. Trucking Companies: Many trucking companies hire drivers who don’t have the experience needed to operate safely. Some fail to provide adequate training, push drivers to meet tight delivery schedules or overlook red flags in a driver’s history. When a company prioritizes speed and profit over safety, it can be held liable for the damages caused by its inexperienced drivers.
2. Truck Training Schools: Not all truck drivers receive the proper education before getting their commercial license. If a training school failed to properly prepare a driver or falsely certified them as qualified, they could share responsibility for an accident.
3. Cargo Loaders And Maintenance Companies: Some accidents aren’t just about driver error. Improperly loaded cargo can shift during transit, throwing off a truck’s balance and causing a crash. Likewise, poor truck maintenance — such as faulty brakes or worn-out tires — can make even a seasoned driver lose control. If these issues contributed to an accident, the companies responsible for loading the truck or maintaining the vehicle may be held accountable.

Truck accident liability is rarely straightforward. Holding the right parties responsible requires a thorough investigation — something a truck accident lawyer can handle while victims focus on their recovery.

What to do after a truck accident

A truck accident can leave victims feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Taking the right steps after a crash can help protect their health, strengthen their claim, and increase the likelihood of receiving full compensation.

Even if injuries don’t seem serious at first, conditions like concussions or internal bleeding can take time to show symptoms. Seeing a doctor right away not only protects health but also creates medical records that can serve as important evidence in a claim.

If possible, accident victims should:

• Take photos and videos of the crash site, vehicle damage, and visible injuries.
• Get contact information for witnesses who saw what happened.
• Request a copy of the police report for documentation of the incident.

Insurance companies representing trucking companies often try to settle claims quickly — and for as little money as possible. Victims who accept an early offer without understanding the full extent of their injuries may find themselves struggling to cover future medical bills and lost wages. Consulting an attorney before speaking with an insurance adjuster can prevent costly mistakes and help ensure fair compensation.

Get help from a Texas truck accident lawyer in Fort Worth

Inexperienced truck drivers are a growing problem on Texas highways, and Fort Worth sees its share of crashes caused by drivers who weren’t ready for the job. Recovering from a truck accident often requires more than just medical treatment. Truck accident claims are complicated, especially when inexperience plays a role. Victims trying to negotiate on their own often find themselves facing aggressive insurance companies and trucking industry legal teams. Having an experienced attorney on their side can make all the difference in securing full and fair compensation.

With the right legal support, truck accident victims can fight for the compensation they deserve and avoid being taken advantage of. Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law, P.C., has the experience and determination to take on trucking companies and win.

Based in Fort Worth, our law firm has secured substantial settlements and verdicts for clients injured in serious car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as wrongful death and workplace injury cases.

Our case results include settlements of $1 million or more for truck wrecks. When truck drivers and their employers act recklessly, we hold them accountable.

If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in Fort Worth, Dallas, Arlington, Irving, or Grapevine, don’t leave your future to chance. Get an attorney who knows how to fight and win. Contact Coby L. Wooten today for a free consultation.

Click here for a printable PDF of this article, “Understanding How Inexperienced Truckers Cause Truck Accidents in Texas.”