# Does Texas Have a Truck Driver Shortage? | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. How Bad is the Truck Driver Shortage?  2. The Dangers of Overworked Truckers  3. Efforts to Keep Texas Roads Safe  4. Sharing the Road with Smaller Vehicles 5. Truck Accidents: Common Causes and Injuries 6. Contact a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim ![Does Texas Have a Truck Driver Shortage?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Does-Texas-Have-a-Truck-Driver-Shortage-300x200.jpg) Many states, including [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/), need truck drivers. Trucking is an important industry with a major shortage. Truck driving requires those entering the profession to be qualified. As more experienced drivers retire, the demand for more truckers continues to grow. The shortage of qualified truck drivers is a problem for everyone on the road. Truckers work longer hours if there is no one else to work the shift. This can lead to truck drivers experiencing [fatigue](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-tired-truck-drivers-cause-accidents/) and stress due to being overworked, making Texas [roads more dangerous](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/most-dangerous-roads-and-intersections-in-houston/) for everyone, causing [truck accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/truck-accident-lawyer/).  ## How Bad is the Truck Driver Shortage?  There is a truck driver shortage of [80,000](https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/archive/2022/apr/trucking.php). Efforts are being made to correct this problem, including sign-on bonuses, incentive pay, and recognition awards. However, this may lead to unqualified and inexperienced [drivers](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-report-an-unsafe-truck-driver-in-texas/) being hired.  Even with new drivers being offered incentives, the truck driver shortage continues.   It can be difficult for companies to hire qualified drivers. It can also be challenging to retain the drivers that are hired. Truck driving is a stressful job that often leads to an unpredictable life. [Learn more about trucking company negligence here](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/trucking-company-negligence/). For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## The Dangers of Overworked Truckers  Truck drivers are an essential part of our everyday lives. Even though the number of drivers is not growing, the number of deliveries continues to. The shortage of drivers can lead to delayed deliveries, drivers working longer shifts, or inexperienced drivers being hired. If drivers are overworked, [exhausted](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-tired-truck-drivers-cause-accidents/), and inexperienced, the consequences can be catastrophic. A fatigued driver has a greater risk of getting into an accident. If a truck driver is lacking in [sleep](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/falling-asleep-while-driving/), it will impact their ability to avoid a collision or be attentive to driving.  ## Efforts to Keep Texas Roads Safe  The trucking industry is regulated, and there is a limit on the number of hours that a truck driver is permitted to drive. There is an [11-hour maximum](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations) for property-carrying drivers who have taken 10 consecutive hours off duty.  Hours of service regulations can make truck driving a less appealing profession for prospective drivers. It can hinder a truck driver’s ability to spend more time at home. While driving limits are likely making the road safer, they may also deter some people from pursuing truck driving as a career.  [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Sharing the Road with Smaller Vehicles Truck accidents can lead to severe injuries. It is important for motorists to be mindful of the difficulty of maneuvering a [semi-truck](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-semi-trucks/). When a car is traveling on the highway and cuts off a truck, a trucker may not have enough time to stop before colliding with the car.  The difficulty of driving a large truck becomes an even bigger issue when considering the truck driver shortage. Many new drivers do not have the experience and skills required to navigate around smaller vehicles. Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## Truck Accidents: Common Causes and Injuries Inexperienced or exhausted truck drivers can lead to injured motorists. The difference in size between [cars](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/) and trucks puts passengers at a greater risk of a collision. Truck driver errors often cause accidents.  The following are common [truck driver errors](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/truck-accident-lawyer/truck-driver-error/): - [Distracted driving ](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/distracted-driving/) - [Speeding](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/speeding/) - [Driving while under the influence of alcohol](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/truck-accident-lawyer/dui/) or drugs - Aggressive driving  - Unsafe [lane changes](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/lane-change/) - Not checking blind spots  - Being inexperienced or unqualified  Truck accidents can cause major injuries or even fatalities. If you are involved in a truck crash, you should [seek medical attention immediately](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-long-do-you-have-to-go-to-a-doctor-after-a-houston-car-accident/).   The following are injuries that truck accident victims may sustain: - [Concussions](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/concussion-injury/)  - Traumatic [brain injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/brain-injury-lawyer/)  - [Spinal cord injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer/)  - [Fractures](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/broken-bones/) - [Soft tissue damage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/soft-tissue-injury/) - [Crushing injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/crushing-injury/) - [Whiplash](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/whiplash-injury/) - [Amputations](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/amputation-injury/) - Internal bleeding  - [Chest injuries](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/chest-injury/) - Psychological trauma  If you are injured in a truck accident in Houston, TX, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.   ## Contact a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim For more information, [contact](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/contact-us/) the [Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/) personal injury law firm of [Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/) by calling [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000). --- **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – Houston**[3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 United States](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8640bf255e7aaf73:0x52064b120afa59fe?source=g.page.share/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – East Fwy**[11811 East Fwy, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 United States](https://www.google.com/search?q=brianwhiteeasthouston&ludocid=13078538879475626363&ibp=gwp;0,7&source=g.page.share/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – South Loop**[2600 S Loop W, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 United States](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+South+Loop/@29.6810925,-95.4165764,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x81fd3c6eb30bc542!8m2!3d29.6785093!4d-95.4184191?cid=9366709246148461890&_ga=2.209939733.1628598219.1648478482-1081226185.1622227003&shorturl=1/) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Truck Accidents Blog Posts: [![Aggressive Driving By Truck Drivers in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Aggressive-Driving-By-Truck-Drivers-in-Houston--300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/aggressive-driving-by-truck-drivers-in-houston/) [Aggressive Driving by Truck Drivers in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/aggressive-driving-by-truck-drivers-in-houston/) Aggressive driving and road rage are very real issues. Always a dangerous practice for other vehicles and people on [![5 Things You Didn't Know About Semi-Trucks](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-semi-trucks/) [5 Things You Didn't Know About Semi-Trucks](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-semi-trucks/) Before the pandemic, the trucking industry seldom got the credit it deserved. Now, most Americans appreciate the value [![Big Rig Accidents and Driver Training: Is Commercial Truck Training Enough?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Big-Rig-Accidents-and-Driver-Training-Is-Commercial-Truck-Training-Enough-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/big-rig-accidents-and-driver-training/) [Big Rig Accidents and Driver Training](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/big-rig-accidents-and-driver-training/) Commercial truck accidents cause thousands of catastrophic injuries and deaths each year. Texas consistently has the [![Dangers of Overloaded Trucks](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Dangers-of-Overloaded-Trucks-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/dangers-of-overloaded-trucks/) [Dangers of Overloaded Trucks](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/dangers-of-overloaded-trucks/) We’ve all felt a sense of apprehension at the sight of an overloaded semi barreling down the highway. Instinct sends --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/does-texas-have-a-truck-driver-shortage/