Many factors can contribute to a Texas truck accident, but the major causes of truck accidents are driver fatigue, mechanical failure, tire failure, and large blind spots.  Trucking companies try to combat driver fatigue by complying with federal laws that limit the number of hours a truck driver can be on duty.  The truck drivers are required to record their on-duty and off-duty hours in a log that is kept in the vehicle.  The driver logs are legal records and are subject to review and fines, if law enforcement finds violation of the on-duty laws or manipulation of the data.  This is some of the information that a Texas truck accident attorney would research it there was an injury sustained.

Preventive maintenance programs

Mechanical failures like brakes going out or turn signal lights burning out can be avoided by implementing thorough preventive maintenance programs and implementing procedures to check equipment before it goes out on the road.  Trucking companies have enough data to estimate how many miles a truck can operate before the brakes need to be replaced.  A preventive maintenance program will repair or replace mechanical parts of the truck before they become safety issues.

Drivers are required to perform safety checks on their vehicles before they go onto the roadways.  To avoid a Texas trucking accident, the driver, at a minimum, checks all the vehicle’s lights, tires, mirrors, and brakes to be sure they are all in working order.  Special attention is paid to the condition of the tires and the tire pressure.  Tractor trailers need brakes and the friction of the road on all eighteen tires to stop appropriately.  If the tires do not have proper treads or inflation, braking accidents can happen.

The length of tractor trailer units causes large blind spots for the drivers.  The use of mirrors on the cab and fenders of the tractor help reduce the size of the blind spots, but they cannot be eliminated completely.  Therefore, other vehicles should avoid driving too closely behind a tractor trailer and on either side of the trailer.  The rule of thumb is if you cannot see the truck driver’s face in one of his mirrors, he cannot see you.

This might be a little tough to explain to your auto insurance company as a damage claim and expect to be reimbursed for repairs. The owner of this vehicle should think about seeking the assistance of automobile accident lawyers.

Watch That Speedometer

In the mind of an aggressive driver, speed is of the essence. Aggressive driving behavior is primarily marked by a foot heavy on the accelerator, raising vehicular velocity from zero to zooming, and highly likely to cause a nasty fender bender as a result. This is particularly dangerous behavior for a truck driver to adopt—and potentially criminal. The risk of death and debilitating injury mounts with the rising speedometer, so it is critically important to watch that dial.
However, fixation on speed is not the only indicator. Other signs of aggressive driving include being a weaver (that is, weaving in and out of traffic), changing lanes suddenly and without signaling, tailgating. In general though, aggressive driving is any manner of operating a vehicle on the road in which the truck driver deliberately behaves contemptuously towards other drivers and driving in a manner that endangers property and people, including himself.

Are You An Aggressive Driver?

Anytime a truck driver becomes selfish, frustrated, or pushy with his or her vehicle, he or she is one step closer towards becoming an aggressive driver. Every motorist should evaluate themselves if they…

• Drive too fast or ignore the speed limit
• Run red lights, stop signs
• Tailgate
• Change lanes quickly and without warning
• Weave in and out of traffic
• Other causes of aggressive driving include crowded roads, busy lives, work stress and other pressures, and roadwork.

This article does not present legal advice.

If you’ve been injured Texas, please contact the Northeast Texas truck accident lawyers of Gordon & Elias, LLP.

• Check to see if anyone is injured. Follow your first aid rules if they are, while ensuring you are safe yourself.
• Call for emergency help – ambulance and/or police.
• If the scene of the accident is not too severe try to remove the cars to the side of the road to make the scene safer. You may wish to take a few photos before doing this, depending on the severity of the accident.
• Put up a safety triangle or cones to warn other traffic
• Gather information from the other driver (if possible) Take down the driver of the other vehicles insurance details, and the license plate number. Provide the other driver with your insurance details. (If police are at the scene they will be gathering this and the following information too)
• Gather information from witnesses. You don’t need to go into detail as to what happened at this point. What you do need are witnesses’ names and phone numbers so they can be contacted later.
• Be co-operative and stay calm. Do not try to ascertain fault or blame at this point. If police wish to speak with you be as honest and factual as you can, again without placing fault on either the other driver or yourself.
• Take photos of the scene and any damage to both your own and the other drivers vehicle
• Try to stay at the scene until the other drivers, police and witnesses are leaving too.
• If you are injured, seek medical help as soon as possible. (Obviously if you are seriously injured your self much of the above will not be possible, but hopefully someone else will collect information for you). Note too that often we are not aware of the extent of our injury until much later.
• Write down or record a voice memo of exactly what you remember of the details of the accident.
• Notify your Insurance company
• If required fill out a State Accident report (available from Police)
• Contact a qualified lawyer for advice on how to proceed next, particularly if you or anyone else has been injured.

Legal Information: Dallas Personal Injury Attorney Michael Lowe. Serving throughout the Texas area.