Call our prominent Houston 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers today if you or a loved one has been hurt by an 18-Wheeler! 18-wheelers, semi-tractor, trailers, big rigs, and freight trucks are necessary on the roads. However, they can cause a lot more damage than a car or SUV. Trucks also have a larger stopping time required than a car. Most trucks can weigh about 80,000 pounds which makes their stopping distance greater than the average car.
In fact, an 80,0000 lbs truck traveling at 65 mph, has a stopping distance of 525 feet compared to an average car stopping distance of 316 feet. That is almost the length of two football fields. These massive motor vehicles haul goods across our country. However, they can be a great source of anxiety due to their size and the potential impact they can cause. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2017, out of 450,000 crashes that were reported, 23 percent of those crashes were injury crashes and 1 percent were fatal crashes.
Fatigue is the leading cause of 18-Wheeler accidents. This is due to the driver driving long hours without getting the minimum hours of sleep. Unfortunately, a majority of truck drivers do not adhere to the regulated driving times. Driving times are outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. By not following the regulated driving times, commercial truck drivers can experience drowsy driving.
Drowsy Driving greatly hinders the ability to safely operate an 18-wheeler. According to the CDC, commercial drivers are the people most likely to drive drowsy. In addition, negligence can be a cause of 18-Wheeler related accidents.
Failure to maintain a safe distance usually results in rear end accidents. Drivers misjudge the distance between the car in front of them and themselves. On the road, a driver must be alert and in control of their vehicle at all times.
When drivers drive over the speed limit, this can affect stopping time needed to safely stop. In addition, it can cause serious or fatal injury. Speeding can be due to driving under the influence, negligence, or horseplay. In any case, it can cause a dangerous hazard to vehicles.
Reckless driving is a very serious offense in that drivers disregard traffic laws. It is cited as a serious traffic violation. And, it is mostly done with clear intention to cause damage to property and other vehicles. Recklessness can cause serious injury to all on the road.
After an accident, immediately check if any occupants in the vehicle were injured.
Call 911 so that local law enforcement and emergency medical services arrive to the scene.
Take pictures of the scene of the accident as well as all vehicles involved in the accident if possible.
Make sure to receive information of the other drivers as well as any incident numbers from the police who are investigating the scene. Information may include names, address, phone numbers, insurance information of the other drivers as well as identification.
If any one witnessed the accident, be sure to collect the name, address, and phone number of each witness.
Seek medical care following the accident either at the local hospital, urgent care, or a physician.
Call Tran Law Group so that our staff can help with any and all insurance companies involved in the accident.
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