Semi-truck collisions are among the deadliest on the road, and the reasons for this are obvious. In comparison to other vehicles, big rigs can weigh 80,000 pounds, making them an intimidating presence on our highways and byways. So, when you need a truck accident attorney San Antonio read here.
When an 18-wheeler is engaged in a car accident, the size disparity alone is enough to result in catastrophic results. Allowing semi-trucks, the additional space and time they need to properly maneuver on our highways is always in your best interest.
Federal and State Trucking Laws
Both Texas and the federal government closely regulate the trucking business because of the potential for potentially serious accidents. Regulations such as this cover:
- The licensing requirements for commercial drivers
- Controlled substance and alcohol use by commercial drivers and testing for this use
- Both trucking businesses and commercial drivers must adhere to strict health and safety regulations.
- Transporting potentially harmful substances
Injured in a semi-truck accident is a terrifying experience, and you need an experienced truck accident attorney San Antonio to help you through it. If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident in San Antonio, The Law Offices of George Salinas can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Stats on Semi-Truck Mishaps
As the demand for consumer goods grows, more and more vehicles are needed to keep up. While the number of semi-trucks on the road has risen, so has the number of fatal truck accidents:
Drivers and passengers in other cars are considerably more likely to die in a semi-truck collision than truck drivers; in 2015, 97% of fatalities in large truck accidents were persons in other vehicles).
- Over 4,000 fatalities involving large trucks in the United States in 2015.
- From 2009 to 2015, the number of fatalities in truck accidents rose 22%. (when fatalities were at their lowest).
- In 2015, a huge truck was involved in 11% of all road deaths.
It’s good to be reminded of these depressing statistics when driving beside large trucks.
Insured Trucking
Further investigation is warranted because truck drivers, truck repair businesses, and trucking corporations play an important role in highway safety.
Truckers are responsible for caring for and feeding their colossal animals on the road. Safety begins with a healthy, well-rested, experienced, attentive, and engaged commercial truck driver.
Truckers are responsible for moving enormous cargo containers down our highways at high speeds and for long periods. On the other hand, Truckers frequently face excessive deadlines that can harm their ability to earn a living.
To add insult to injury, the very nature of the trucking industry means that it is inherently unhealthy for both the truckers and their families. The combination of a trucker’s stressful work schedule and an unhealthy lifestyle increases the chance of an accident.
The second requirement is to have well-maintained trucks regularly and rigorously checked (as required by law) to ensure safe operating conditions.
Because semi-trucks have many moving parts, they have numerous chances to malfunction, break down, or otherwise pose a threat to drivers. Several factors of tractor-trailers are frequently involved in mishaps:
Tires are crucial to safe driving, as they are the point of contact between the vehicle and the road. A semi-ability truck’s to be driven safely can be jeopardized if a tire fails its safety inspection.
Brakes – Safe driving is dependent on powerful, functioning brakes. Semi-truck braking systems are exceedingly complex and require a tight maintenance schedule.
Connectors – Connectors connect trailers to their cabs.
Coupling devices – A fatal accident can occur if one of these essential devices malfunctions or has a flaw. There is no substitute for regular and thorough examinations.
The last safety factor is a well-managed transportation company that prioritizes safety above all else. All trucks owned by a trucking firm must be maintained in a safe operational condition. A rigorous safety inspection system for the trucks’ upkeep is part of this job.
Trucking companies and drivers are jointly responsible for the safe operation of commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks.
- makers of semiconductors
- Manufacturers of semi-finished goods
- A mixture of mechanical and non-mechanical elements
Other Risks
Several variables can contribute to a semi-truck accident, including:
The point of equilibrium. Instead, the center of gravity concerns can play an important part in trucking accidents. Center-of-gravity problems can lead to rollovers and heighten the potential for excessive damage in big-rig accidents, regardless of whether a semi-truck was inappropriately loaded or its design was incorrect.
There are a lot of places where you can’t see. Commercial trucks have significantly larger and more numerous blind areas or no-zones than automobiles. It’s common for no zones to have a part in accidents since they limit the trucker’s ability to see the road around the vehicle. The architecture of some massive rigs exacerbates the problem of blind areas.
It’s all about the trucks. Trucks and trailers can be hazardous to smaller vehicles that come into physical touch with them because of their design. Dangerously high trailer designs can exacerbate underride incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
The effects of commercial truck accidents can be disastrous. Because of their size and weight and the fact that they may be carrying dangerous items, commercial trucks pose a significant risk to drivers and other road users.
In the aftermath of a trucking accident, you may have a lot of questions. After a truck accident, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
The following is a list of frequently asked questions about commercial trucks and truck accident attorney San Antonio:
What is a Commercial Truck?
Commercial trucks are defined as any huge vehicle that conveys commodities, such as a tractor-trailer. Commercial motor vehicle has a more formal definition under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Transportation of people or goods in interstate commerce qualifies an automobile as a commercial motor vehicle.
Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 10,001 pounds;
More than 8 passengers with compensation, or more than 15 passengers without compensation, can be transported using this vehicle.
Hazardous materials are transported in this vehicle.
State and federal rules and licensing requirements apply to commercial vehicles.
To operate a commercial vehicle, what rules must a driver adhere to?
Truck drivers must adhere to several Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations mandated. The following are some of the most important truck accident attorneys San Antonio:
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) compulsion;
Fatigue can be avoided by limiting the number of time drivers spend behind the wheel.
Drivers of commercial vehicles must adhere to strict rules on when and how much alcohol they can consume before getting behind the wheel.
Routine car maintenance is necessary.
Many states impose additional restrictions on top of federal regulations. The CDL can be revoked if a driver breaks state or federal regulations.
How often do commercial vehicle accidents result in fatalities?
It’s estimated that there were almost 450,000 collisions involving big rigs in 2017. Four thousand two hundred thirty-seven people died, and 344,000 were injured in these incidents. According to these figures, just approximately 1% of truck accidents result in fatalities.
However modest the percentage may seem; it is significantly larger than in other incidents. Only.0001 percent of the 325,719,178 car accidents in 2017 resulted in a fatality. Truck accidents are less prevalent, but they are fatal when they occur.
What are some of the most typical causes of heavy truck collisions?
To operate a commercial vehicle, the driver must have a high degree of expertise and attention. The driver must react quickly and accurately, as a sluggish response can have devastating effects.
Since loaded trucks can travel 20-40% farther than unloaded vehicles to come to a halt, an over-adjustment is possible, but the poor response is even more likely to result in a collision. Unfamiliar roads are a common occurrence for truck drivers.
Because they are traveling across the country, they are unsure of what to expect from the road ahead. This is compounded because semi-trucks have wide blind areas, and drivers are more likely to be tired or preoccupied.
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