The great responsibility of truck driving
Driving an 18-wheeler requires extensive experience and mastery at the wheel, as it entails a great deal of responsibility. Sometimes truck drivers work long days to meet strict deadlines set by their companies, which makes them fatigued. This can sometimes cause accidents.
The best 18-wheeler drivers know that their job involves a lot of responsibility, not only for their own lives, but also for the lives of the people around them. Their job is not only to operate and drive the truck, but also inspect it to know if it’s in good working order and verify that the loads are properly positioned.
Ultimately, you must follow federal and state laws and safety rules about operating a large truck such as an 18-wheeler. Failure to do so can lead to preventable truck crashes.
Commercial truck accident statistics
According to available data, the number of fatal commercial truck crashes increased by nearly 19% from 2019 to 2021. Unfortunately, these numbers continue to increase.
Texas Department of Transportation statistics from 2020 report that:
- Around 14,000 people were seriously injured in 2020.
- One person dies every two hours and 15 minutes.
- The number of Texas highway fatalities in 2020 was the highest since 1984.
Texas has some of the most dangerous interstate highways in the country. One of these is I-35, which passes through Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. On this road, 18-wheeler accidents are a common occurrence.
What are the most common causes of 18-wheeler accidents?
It’s common for 18-wheeler crashes to occur due to negligent behavior by the drivers of the vehicle, such as:
- Distracted driving: When a truck driver isn’t focused on the road, just a few seconds of distraction can cause a major accident. If this happens, the responsible party is undoubtedly the truck driver. Therefore, before hiring a driver, it’s important to know their driving record, whether they have gotten any tickets and what they were for. This will provide in-depth information about the professionalism and responsibility of the driver.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): Sometimes truck drivers may consume intoxicating substances that alter their state of consciousness. This can be very dangerous because they’re not concentrating on driving, which can cause them to get into a traffic accident.
- Fatigued driving: Sometimes drivers are pressured to cover long distances in a short time, which causes them to work more than the hours allowed by law, putting their health and lives at risk. When companies’ interests come before their employees’ and people’s safety, it makes them co-responsible for the crashes they cause. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a driver who hasn’t slept for more than 24 hours is considered drunk with a BAC of 0.10% (above the legal limit in all 50 U.S. states).
- Aggressive driving: When a person drives at high speeds, even when weather conditions aren’t good, or drives carelessly or recklessly, this is considered negligent behavior.
- Lack of regular maintenance: Truck drivers must know how their vehicle is maintained. They are responsible for ensuring that it’s properly serviced to prevent accidents. If they don’t do this as part of their job routine, they may be considered negligent.
What to do if you get into an accident with an 18-wheeler in San Antonio?
A collision with a large truck can be very stressful. It may result in major injuries that keep you out of work for a while and require specialized medical attention and care.
Having an experienced truck accident attorney can help you focus on your health, while this professional handles getting you the maximum compensation.
At George Salinas Injury Lawyers, we’ll help you file a claim for compensation, negotiate settlements and get the best possible outcome. We work on a contingency fee basis, so if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay us.
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