Staying Clear of Big Trucks

The three states with the highest semi truck fatalities are Texas, California and Florida. Because of the size and weight of these road monsters, a good standard driving policy is to drive defensively when near any big truck. According to U.S. statistics on trucking accidents, an average of 5,000 trucks are involved in fatal collisions each year often resulting in multiple deaths.

Passengers and drivers of the other vehicles are killed at a much higher rate than the truck drivers themselves. A recent yearly statistic that supports this stated that out of 5,567 deaths which occurred from semi truck accidents, only 713 were the truck drivers. It was also found that an average of 450 bystanders are killed yearly in accidents involving big semi trucks.

Causes of Accidents

Speeding has been found to be a common cause of truck accidents as drivers lack the ability to stop quickly unlike smaller vehicles. Other common causes found are:

• Driver inattention
• Following other vehicles too closely
• Mechanical problems
• Aggressive driving
• Not being aware of blind spots and curves
• Driver fatigue
• Uneven or poorly loaded vehicle

Driving Rules

There are both state and federal regulations which are targeted toward semi truck driving safety, but ultimately the responsibility to adhere to these rules lies with the truck driver and the company he works for. Important factors like a limit on the number of hours a driver can be behind the wheel, no driving while under the influence and vehicle maintenance are all included.

Get Help if Injured

If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi truck accident in the Dallas or surrounding area, you need to seek help from a competent personal injury attorney. At the Lenahan Law Firm, we have been representing clients all over Texas for many years. Our firm is home to many Dallas semi truck accident attorneys who have extensive experience in all stages of litigation in both State and Federal courts.

A serious injury from a truck accident can leave one with a drastically changed life and deserves the proper amount of compensation to cover any expenses that have resulted or may continue to be a result.

Contact a Dallas Semi Truck Accident Lawyer in our office for a free consultation and find out what needs to be done to start building an immediate, strong defense.