If you were injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler, reach out to an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer at McDonald Worley today.
Trucks play an essential role in the everyday lives of Houstonians and are important for the Houston economy as well. You can encounter trucks of all shapes, sizes, and work purposes anywhere in Houston. It is quite understandable that, given the size and weight of large trucks and other commercial motor vehicles, getting into an accident represents a hazardous situation, especially on dangerous roads or on a dangerous highway.
A truck accident poses a severe risk of catastrophic injury or even death in some situations. In a collision involving a 10,000 pounds weighing truck and a 2,000-pound passenger car, the passenger car absorbs the brunt of the impact every time. Fatal crashes, especially those involving a violation of speed limits are more frequent than what one could expect, especially on interstate 35, which is one of the deadliest roads in the region.
Motor vehicle accidents are very frequent on this deadliest stretch, many of which are fatal accidents. Our personal injury lawyer team is highly experienced in dealing with truck accident claims. If you were in a truck accident due to issues with the road, or highway, you can contact the experienced personal injury attorney in Houston to discuss the procedure to recover compensation for your loss. A Houston truck accident lawyer organizes a thorough investigation to conclude the liable parties responsible for the injuries and losses caused by a commercial truck accident.
Why Are 18-Wheeler Accidents Deadly?
Commercial truck accidents are more severe compared to any other road accident. The main reason is the difference in size and weight of the vehicles involved in the crashes. Accidents involving semi-trucks or 18-wheeler trucks are more catastrophic. They lead to severe injuries for the driver and the surrounding automobiles.
In fact, in 82 percent of the large truck crashes, the fatalities for other vehicles are more severe than the occupants of the truck. Even in moderate cases, where the fatalities per mile are less, such accidents result in critical injuries for all accident victims. In addition to fatal conditions, accident victims also suffer from life-altering injuries, such as amputations, paralysis, and other permanent disabilities.
Moreover, many families and accident victims suffer from extreme financial burdens, difficult times, and a lifetime of pain and suffering.
When Are Houston’s Roads The Most Dangerous For Truckers?
While highways are especially risky for big rigs, any road in Houston can present risks under certain conditions. Houston links with some of the deadliest highways where the occurrence of an 18-wheeler accident should come as no surprise. The stretch of highway routes, especially for interstate highways, is dotted with instances of auto accidents.
These road conditions for truckers come with:
Highway Work Zones
Highway work zones are prone to several truck collisions. An average of almost seven work zone crashes occur every day in Houston, and the majority of them involve trucks and other commercial vehicles.
Wet Roads
Almost 15% of all truck accidents in Texas occur on wet roads. Moisture on the surface can impact traction and stopping distances, plus the heavyweight of the trucks cause them to slip on the road. The change in road conditions can present unique risks for truckers.
Rush Hour And Holidays
During rush hours, Houston’s roads are packed with several vehicles. Almost nine out of ten truck accidents involve some type of driver error. It’s no surprise that being stuck on the roads with several vehicles increases the risk of crashes for even the most experienced and safest truck drivers.
Common Causes Of Trucking Accidents In Texas, Houston
You can determine the dangers of truck accidents and the proper ways to prevent them by learning the most common causes behind them. Your Houston truck accident lawyer will go through the accident report and initiate an accident investigation of their own to find out who has to compensate you; this is standard for most accident insurance claims where firsthand evidence is minimal.
Some of the causes of fatal truck accidents are as follow:
Unsafe Driving
Even though truck drivers complete extensive training, they are not exempt from mistakes. Any negligent or distracted action by the driver can lead to a major highway accident necessitating immediate contact with an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer.
Driver Fatigue And Impairment
Truck drivers who are tired or impaired by alcohol or drugs pose extreme dangers to others on highways. Fatigue and alcohol can lower the reaction time and motor function of the driver, increasing the risks of chain collisions and major accidents to the detriment of the truck accident victim.
Overloaded Or Improperly Loaded Cargo
It can be difficult to maneuver overloaded or improperly loaded trucks. Unsecured cargo from these trucks can spill over onto roadways and cause semi-truck accidents. Truck drivers and trucking companies should ensure that vehicles are properly loaded to reduce the risk of accidents, especially on market roads, Hardy Toll road, and busy stretches of roads.
Defective Parts
Defective auto parts and equipment like damaged brakes and bad tires are another common cause of truck accidents. A defective part may also be caused by a failure to maintain the truck.
Improperly Trained Drivers
Untrained drivers are simply more prone to making errors. With 80,000 pound vehicles, even small mistakes can have big outcomes. Trucking companies should ensure proper driving and safety training for their employees.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Bad weather like rain, snow, and strong winds can increase the risks of truck accidents. Drivers should properly train to handle harsh weather or road conditions; the same is also true for poor road conditions, especially when there are road construction projects.
Types Of Truck Road Traffic Crashes Involving Trucks
Some of the common types of truck accidents due to dangerous road conditions are:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Jackknifes
- Rollovers
- Sideswipes
- T-bone or side collision crashes
- Cargo shifts
- Cargo spills
Hazards Truckers Should Avoid
Truckers and trucking companies should know the dangers of truck collisions on highways and ways to avert them. Therefore, they should research routes beforehand to ensure they drive on appropriate roads and avoid places where crashes are most likely to occur.
Common hazards that a commercial driver must avoid are:
- Low clearances
- Roads or bridges that cannot handle heavy loads
- Steep declines
- Sharp turns
- Being reckless, especially on a busy stretch of road
A trucker or trucking company should be aware of different types of hazards. They may be responsible for all the injuries for avoiding any precautions.
What Are Some Different Types of Truck Accident Injuries?
Trucking accident injuries can be catastrophic. If the wreck doesn’t kill the victim, it leaves them with horrific injuries that take years or decades to recover from. Apart from physical injuries, victims may also suffer from emotional or psychological stress.
Among the most common injuries caused by crashes with large trucks are head and brain injuries. Victims of truck accidents barely survive the wrecks finding themselves with a decreased quality of life afterward.
Common truck accident injuries include:
- Back and Neck Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Burn Injuries
- Head Injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Wrongful Death
Reach Out to a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
Before dealing with insurance company officials or someone from the trucking company, you should acquire professional services from expert personal injury lawyers in Houston. McDonald Worley with our competent team will ensure those at fault are held responsible and maximize the amount recovered. We will compile a thorough and lengthy investigation to gather facts surrounding a truck accident.
Reach out to us and we’ll handle your case for you!