Everything You Need to Know About Maintaining Your Safety from Big Truck Accidents on the Road
Anytime you’re a victim of a car accident, it can be a terrifying experience.
The effects can be even more devastating when the accident involves a massive 18-wheeler truck.
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident. While it can be difficult to determine the average settlement for a truck accident, you may be entitled to anywhere from $10,000 to over $1,000,000 – depending on the severity of your accident.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we’ve seen firsthand how destructive commercial truck accidents can be. Understanding the most common causes of accidents helps promote safety on the roads and establishes liability in the unfortunate times when a truck accident does occur.
What are the Most Common Causes of Accidents on the Road?
Truck accidents can have devastating effects, from property damage and minor injuries to wrongful death. But what causes these types of accidents to occur in the first place?
- Driver Fatigue
While there are many factors that lead to truck accidents, driver fatigue remains one of the most serious threats on Texas roads. In fact, driver fatigue contributes to more than 13% of all truck accidents.
Despite federal regulations that aim to promote safety by limiting driving hours, many truck drivers still operate their vehicles while overly exhausted. Operating any vehicle while fatigued is extremely dangerous, but when a sleep-deprived driver controls an 80,000-pound 18-wheeler truck, the results can be utterly catastrophic.
Federal law restricts 18-wheeler truck drivers to 11 hours of driving per shift, with mandatory 10-hour rest periods between shifts, in an effort to keep the roads safe.
- Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the main causes of all car accidents. However, it plays an even more detrimental role in commercial truck accidents due to the sheer size and weight of 18-wheeler trucks. The following actions lead to distracted driving accidents:
- Using a cell phone
- Making adjustments to the radio or GPS
- Eating or drinking
- Daydreaming or generally not focusing on the road
If an 18-wheeler truck driver is distracted, their vehicle becomes a weapon on the road. When distracted, truck drivers may not have time to react to changes in road conditions. These massive vehicles need way more time to slow down, stop, or change direction than smaller vehicles. Therefore, even a few seconds of distraction can lead to fatalities.
- Pressure on 18-Wheeler Truck Drivers to Meet Deadlines
Many things can cause truck accidents, but the pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines often pushes 18-wheeler truck drivers to take more dangerous risks. Trucking companies frequently offer incentives for faster deliveries, which can lead to:
• Excessive speeding
• Skipping required rest breaks
• Dangerous driving maneuvers
• Extensive driving hours
• Violation of safety regulations
- Inadequate 18-wheeler Truck Maintenance
A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Fatal Causation shows that 55% of truck accidents resulting in an injury were caused by a truck with at least one mechanical failure.
Proper 18-wheeler truck maintenance is critical for preventing truck accidents. Some trucking companies cut corners on vehicle maintenance to save money in the short term, leading to dangerous conditions over time, such as:
• Worn-out braking systems
• Bald or damaged tires
• Faulty lighting
• Broken mirrors
• Damaged safety equipment
• Malfunctioning warning systems
- Improper Cargo Loading Practices
A truck’s safety is highly dependent on how the cargo is loaded. Common commercial truck cargo loading-related issues include:
• Overweight loads
• Unbalanced cargo distribution in the truck
• Inadequate cargo securing
• Hazardous material violations
• Shifting loads during transport
- Falsified Commercial Truck Documentation
Commercial trucker drivers are required to maintain detailed logbooks documenting their hours and driving activities. However, some will falsify these records to hide safety violations, such as working extended hours. A personal injury lawyer will know how to investigate these records and uncover any discrepancies that may have contributed to a truck accident.
What is the Average Settlement for a Truck Accident?
It is challenging to pinpoint the precise average settlement for a truck accident because the amount is dependent on so many factors. Each case is different, but in nearly every truck accident settlement, you are entitled to be compensated for the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
- Wrongful death
- Vehicle damage
- Punitive damages against the negligent party
The amount of truck accident settlement varies with the severity of your injuries, the details of your case, and long-term prognosis.
How Angel Reyes & Associates Can Help You Maximize Your Truck Accident Settlement
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Texas, having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your team is essential.
With over 30 years of experience handling commercial truck accident cases in the Lonestar State, we have the ability and the passion to help you through any challenge you face. Our experienced team of truck accident attorneys is available 24/7 to discuss your case and explain your options for a truck accident claim in a free consultation. Don’t wait, don’t hesitate.
Anytime you have to deal with a truck driver negligence claim, the issues that arise can be overwhelming. Between dealing with the truck driver, the trucking company, and the associated accident insurance companies – the stress levels continue to rise. Just remember, you are not alone.
Research shows that if you hire a skilled attorney to help win your truck accident settlement case, you are likely to receive 3.5x more than you would if you tried to represent yourself. The compassionate team of truck accident attorneys at Angel Reyes & Associates is fully committed to helping you navigate these challenges with skill and empathy.
Contact us today for a free consultation, or stop by one of our offices in Dallas, Fort-Worth, Houston, or Austin so you can meet face-to-face with your advocate, who is ready to fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. You’re in good hands with Angel Reyes & Associates.
Stay safe, Texas.
