Truck accidents in Austin take many forms, each with serious consequences. Rollover accidents frequently occur on highways like I-35 and State Highway 71, where speeding, sharp curves, or improperly loaded cargo can cause trucks to overturn. Jackknife accidents, often caused by sudden braking or slick road conditions, result in the trailer swinging into adjacent lanes, endangering other vehicles.

Rear-end collisions are common in congested areas, especially during rush hour or near construction zones. Trucks require much longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles, making these crashes particularly devastating. Right-turn accidents frequently occur in urban neighborhoods like Downtown Austin or South Congress, where truck drivers misjudge their turning radius or fail to account for cyclists, pedestrians, or smaller vehicles. Underride accidents, where smaller vehicles slide beneath a truck, are among the deadliest types of collisions. Despite federal requirements for underride guards, poor maintenance often renders these safety features ineffective.

Austin shares challenges similar to San Antonio, Texas, another major Texas city with significant truck traffic and rapid urban development. Both cities face high accident rates due to illegal parking on shoulders, congested highways, and oversized loads that lack proper safety measures.