The Houston region’s oil and gas business is booming, which has sped up construction over the entire city. But as a result of the expansion, there are now more big commercial trucks on the highways and in the cities.
The state has become one of the deadliest in the US for road fatalities, notably in the Houston area, according to a 2014 series by the Houston Chronicle and Houston Public Media. After decades of reduction, the number of fatalities from commercial vehicle accidents in Texas increased from 2009 to 2014.
Accidents of this nature frequently result in fatalities or extremely significant physical injuries and can be catastrophic. The majority of 18-wheelers and commercial semi-trucks can easily crush a smaller car, making collisions more risky. You shouldn’t be made to pay for other people’s carelessness. Please get in touch with a Houston truck accident attorney if you were hurt in an 18-wheeler collision.
Texas vs. National Statistics on Truck Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has safety standards, but trucking accidents still happen often in Texas and the rest of the United States. Truckers neglect to maintain their fleet cars, truck drivers make blunders and lapses in judgment, and loaders improperly secure cargo. Each year, thousands of trucking accidents caused by these careless activities result in fatalities and severe physical injuries. Here are the most recent statistics on truck accidents in the United States, Texas, and Houston:
- the United States. Large vehicles were involved in 4,050 fatal incidents across the nation in 2015. The same year, 87,000 heavy vehicles were engaged in incidents that resulted in injuries.
- In Texas, there were 556 fatal accidents involving heavy trucks in 2016. The number of such crashes fell somewhat from 567 in 2015 to this.
- In Houston County, there were 35 accidents involving commercial vehicles in 2016. Twelve people had incapacitating injuries, and five people died.
Trucking laws in Texas
Truckers in Texas must abide by state legislation in addition to the FMCSA’s regulations. The size and weight of commercial vehicles are restricted in Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation lists the following as the maximum dimensions for heavy trucks:
- Maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds (81,400 with a permit).
- 14-foot maximum height.
- The maximum width is 8 feet 6 inches.
- Large trucks can spread out to a 16-foot width with a permission.
- Vehicles with a truck-tractor combination can be as long as you like.
For the safety of other drivers on the road, there are weight and size restrictions on heavy rigs. It’s against the law and dangerous for other drivers to operate a commercial truck outside of these limits. A trucking firm may be held accountable for an accident if a truck involved in it violates local, state, or federal laws.
How to Respond to a Truck Accident
You’re undoubtedly startled and perplexed after being involved in an accident with a big vehicle. You may be suffering from severe injuries and are unsure of your rights’ next steps. Insurance providers urge you to accept the least amount possible. The trucking business can contest its responsibility. Your actions immediately following a truck accident could have an impact on the outcome of a subsequent personal injury claim. If an 18-wheeler strikes you in Texas, our Houston truck accident attorneys advise that you take the following general actions:
- Visit a hospital. Receiving quick medical care is essential for your personal health. The occupants of the smaller car will nearly always get injuries as a result of being engaged in a truck accident. Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, you could develop symptoms later. Go to the hospital as soon as possible after an accident to protect yourself.
- After a collision with a big rig, you need to start considering your insurance claim. Regardless of who is at blame, you must discuss paying for damages with the trucking business’s insurance company. Your chances of demonstrating another party’s fault increase as you amass more supporting data. If you get in touch with our attorneys, we’ll dispatch a swift response team to gather and preserve crucial evidence.
- Take pictures. Photos make wonderful evidence since the prosecution cannot refute what the judge and jury can clearly see. If you can, take photos of the situation, documenting all visible property damage and person injuries. Several wide-angle pictures of the entire scene, including the road, should be taken.
- Inform the police. If there are injuries, fatalities, or more than $1,000 in property damage as a result of the collision, Texas law compels you to file an accident report. Almost always, this is the case in serious truck accidents. Report the collision by dialling 911. Give the cops your side of the story when they come. For future use, note the police report number.
- Speak with a lawyer for truck accidents. Call Ben Bronston & Associates before you speak with an insurance company, accept a settlement offer, total your car, or seek repairs—especially if you have injuries. After a serious collision, our team of Houston truck accident attorneys will get to work collecting evidence, speaking with witnesses, and developing a case to maximise your compensation.
When in doubt, call us first before taking any further action. Your interests are our top priority while our attorneys represent you. Starting on the day of the crash, we can guide you through the initial phases of your claim. You can take steps to protect your rights as an accident victim the sooner you speak with a truck accident attorney.
Safety Advice When Driving Next to Big Trucks
In Texas, you can’t avoid driving next to big trucks, especially in Houston, where major highways are crucial commercial vehicle routes. There are precautions drivers can take to reduce the danger of colliding with a huge truck, even if it may not always be possible to avoid one. Use these guidelines to drive safely around an 18-wheeler if you are ever close to one:
- Give the truck a lot of space. The more room you can provide the truck between your car and it, the better. A tractor-trailer should never be crowded; doing so could reduce the amount of room both vehicles have to manoeuvre in the case of an accident. Always leave enough of space for turning trucks.
- Watch out for frequent reasons for truck accidents. Major truck collisions frequently result from tyre blowouts, blind areas and lost loads. Be mindful of these dangers and steer clear of the truck as soon as you can.
- Drive defensively by practising. Always keep an eye on the big truck as you pass and check the road in front of you. Never rely on the truck driver to act morally upright
- Pass the truck safely. Never linger close to, in front of, or behind a big truck. You run the danger of accidents in these “no-zones.” As soon as you can, pass on the left side while maintaining a tight lane line. You are squarely in the trucker’s blind area because you are on the right side of your lane.
- Never try to bypass a big truck. Trucks are slower to stop than lighter, smaller vehicles. Never cut off a big vehicle because you run a great chance of getting rear-ended. Due to the enormous weight of the vehicle, these incidents may be lethal.
The most crucial thing is to abide by the traffic laws. You will be safer if you are more dependable to the drivers around you. Your danger of being involved in a serious accident is increased by weaving in and out of traffic, cutting off large trucks, slamming on your brakes, and driving too fast. Respect the rules of the road, hope the truck in front of you is doing the same, and be prepared to take action if it appears that a collision is imminent.
What Might a Truck Driver Do to Avoid a Collision?
Too frequently, careless truck drivers are at blame for mishaps that never should have happened. Every trucker has a duty to use caution when operating a large vehicle. To help minimise truck driver distraction, which is one of the leading causes of crashes, the FMCSA provides driver safety advice.
Distractions in the cab, such as reading material, food, and handheld electronics, should be avoided by truck drivers. Additionally, they should avoid outside distractions by keeping their attention on the road rather than on billboards, other cars, or accidents. A less number of casualties would require hospitalisation if more truck drivers took their obligations seriously and followed the law. Call Ben Bronston & Associates right away to speak with one of our attorneys about your Texas truck accident during a free consultation!
