Texas truck drivers perform an important role in the transportation of goods throughout the country. However, they are often pushed to work long hours with little sleep, and as a result, trucks can sometimes be a danger on the road.
At The Stewart Law Firm in Austin Texas, we represent people who are injured in truck accidents all the time. Below are 5 things you should know about truck accidents that may be useful when you’re trying to gain compensation for your injuries and losses.
1. Truck drivers are subject to strict rules about driving safety
Legally, truck drivers are not allowed to drive for more than 11 hours at a time, and that’s only after a 10-hour rest period. In addition, many trucking companies and state governments have rules prohibiting drivers from participating in “intentional misconduct,” including:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Running cars off the road
All of these restrictions can be used to demonstrate that you were not at fault for an accident with a truck.
2. Truck drivers are trained to avoid liability
Knowing these rules and restrictions can be especially helpful in the event that a driver tries to coerce you into admitting fault or misrepresents facts about the accident.
The fact is that many trucking companies train their drivers to avoid liability for the company at all costs, which can lead to some aggressive post-accident strategies. For this reason, it’s important to be extra careful in recording as many facts as you can about the scene and avoiding any conversation with the driver that might be taken as you admitting fault.
3. Driver-related factors could be the cause of the accident
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver-related factors make up a large part of the accidents involving trucks and other large vehicles.
In 2017, the FMCSA listed the following as the ten most common driver-related factors that contribute to crashes:
- Speeding
- Distraction, such as using a cell phone
- Failure to yield
- Impairment, such as driving under the influence
- Careless driving
- Obscured vision
- Lane drifting
- Failure to obey traffic signs
- Following too closely
- Overcorrecting
4. Young truck drivers have a higher crash rate than older drivers
As a general rule of thumb, young drivers tend to have a higher likelihood of being involved in an accident no matter what kind of vehicle they’re driving. However, this is especially true for truck drivers.
In fact, drivers aged 21 and under have a higher rate of involvement in both fatal and non-fatal truck accidents.
5. Texas has one of the highest rates of truck-related accidents
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas is one of the most dangerous states in the country when it comes to accidents involving trucks and large vehicles.
So in this state, more than anywhere else, it’s important to be careful on the road, and to be informed about the best way to receive your due compensation if you are injured or your car is damaged in a truck accident.
Contact a truck accident lawyer in Austin, TX
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck accident, you will likely be entitled to compensation for the losses you receive as a result of your injury or damage to your car.
The Stewart Law Firm has the experience and knowledge to make sure you receive your due. Contact us today for a free consultation.
