Sharing the road with large commercial trucks can be intimidating for many drivers. And the City of Houston is a hub for trucks that deliver essentials throughout our country. While many truck drivers on the road have been driving for years and are very cautious about sharing the highway with others, some are not so careful. There are also circumstances where drivers may not be professionally trained, but the company they drive for allowed them to transport a load anyway.
Because there are so many big rigs on Houston highway, there are also many accidents between big trucks and passenger cars.
Why are Big Rigs So Dangerous?
There are several reasons why Big Rigs are so dangerous, and why you should be more cautious when you are sharing the road with them. One of the main reasons being that 18-wheelers can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. when they are filled with cargo, that outweighs a typical passenger car by 30 times or more. Therefore, many of these accidents result in serious injuries or fatalities for those in the smaller vehicle.
Because these big trucks weigh so much more than passenger vehicles, it can take them much longer to slow down. Large trucks are unable to maneuver like smaller cars. Therefore a sudden stop for them could end with a severe crash. These trucks also have blind spots even when the drivers use their mirrors correctly.
Truck drivers work long hours and are on the road during that time. Fatigue can set in and cause them not to be aware of their surroundings as they should. Trucking companies require their drivers to keep logs and take breaks to reduce tiredness while on the road. But sometimes drivers don’t always follow these rules, or the trucking company may not be stringent to enforce them. Drivers that make judgment errors on the road due to tiredness could cause a chain reaction accident to occur, which could result in several injuries or deaths.
The Causes of Big Rig Accidents
Several things could lead to an accident with a big rig. Three of the main reasons why these accidents occur are due to mechanical failure, human error, and external driving conditions. The most common contributing factor of these three is human error. That can include everything from speeding and failure to yield to distracted driving or impairment.
Distracted driving can be caused by many things, such as eating or drinking while on the road, cell phone use, or texting. It is very common for truck drivers to eat or make calls while on the road because they are trying to transport the goods, they are hauling as soon as possible, and they don’t want to make any additional stops just to eat or make calls. Unfortunately, this often leads to crashes due to distraction or fatigue.
Because accidents with big rigs can be so complicated, you must get in touch with a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. These legal professionals can help build a strong case for you that will help you get the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.If you were recently injured in an accident with a big rig and it wasn’t your fault, you need to file a claim today. By contacting a truck accident attorney in Houston, you are taking the first steps toward a successful outcome. Make sure that you get the financial compensation you deserve by hiring an attorney with years of experience working on these specific cases.
