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Causes of Semi Truck Accidents

David K. Wilson & Associates

Apr 15, 2019

When you think of deadly motor vehicle accidents, those involving semi trucks likely come to mind. Semi trucks are huge, often weighing up to 80,000 pounds. Compare this to the average passenger vehicle, which weighs just several thousand pounds.


When the two collide, the results can be disastrous. It is not uncommon for a semi truck to cause broken bones, paralysis, head trauma and even death. Like passenger vehicles accidents, semi truck crashes can be caused by a variety of factors.


Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a serious issue among motorists. In 2016, 3,450 people were killed by distracted driving. Cell phone use is a common form of distracted driving among all drivers. Truckers often drive for long stretches at a time and they often get bored. They may pass the time by playing on the phone, reading or eating – all which take their eyes off the road.


Fatigue

Fatigue is another common cause of truck accidents. Drivers are on the road for long periods of time. They are often pressured by trucking companies to work for much longer than they should in order to meet deadlines. This is an illegal practice, but it happens quite often. This often causes truck drivers to fall asleep on the road, causing serious accidents.


Intoxication

Drugs and alcohol can affect one’s judgment and reaction time, but many motorists still drive while intoxicated. Some truck drivers take medications to stimulate them and keep them awake for longer periods of time, but sometimes these drugs can have unintended effects and actually lead to drowsiness.


Weather Conditions

It is much easier for a truck driver to navigate the roads when the weather is clear. However, this is not always the case, particularly in the winter. Fog, rain, snow and ice can greatly impact a truck driver.


The heavy weight of the truck, combined with slower stopping speeds, can make it difficult for a truck driver to come to a stop in the event of an emergency. This often leads to hydroplaning, skidding and jackknifing.



Poor Maintenance

Semi trucks need to be maintained on a regular basis – even more so than passenger vehicles. A truck driver may drive hundreds if not thousands of miles a day. This leads to an immense amount of wear and tear on a truck. Equipment and parts can go out quickly, which is why trucking companies should adhere to a strict maintenance schedule. A tire can rupture or the brakes can suddenly fail on the freeway. This can lead to deadly consequences. Truck drivers should take the time to inspect their vehicles before each trip. It could save their lives as well as the lives of others.


Taking Legal Action

Semi truck accidents can be highly complex. There are many elements and sometimes multiple parties can be at fault. It is important to seek help from a legal professional who has experience in this area of law.


By David K. Wilson & Associates 29 Jul, 2023
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By David K. Wilson & Associates 11 May, 2022
The body content of your post goes here. To eDo you do a lot of walking in the Sherman, TX area? Do you enjoy walking to and from work, school, the store, the doctor’s office or the park? If so, you must do everything possible to protect yourself when being a pedestrian. If you don’t, you could put yourself in serious danger the next time you step foot on the sidewalk or the pavement. It can be difficult to recover completely from injuries suffered in a pedestrian accident, which is why you need to follow the five tips for safe pedestrian actions in today’s post. 1. Always Cross at Controlled Intersections Make it a habit to always cross at controlled intersections when walking around town. Do not jaywalk and do not cross at intersections where there is no stop sign or no traffic light. You are much safer when crossing at a controlled intersection. There is still the chance that a car could wind up hitting you but that chance is reduced at a controlled intersection. 2. Walk Close to Buildings Do your best to walk close to the buildings when on the sidewalk. Do not walk near the curb, near parked cars, or anywhere near the street unless you are crossing it. Walking near the buildings will help protect you from any vehicle that accidentally jumps the curb and heads for you. 3. Wear Bright-Colored Clothing Do you do a lot of working at night? It’s important to wear clothing that has bright colors so when vehicle headlights shine on you, or the streetlights shine on you, you will be seen by drivers. It’s difficult at night for drivers to spot pedestrians, don’t make it worse on yourself by wearing dark clothing while walking at night. 4. Avoid Using Your Phone While Walking Many people love to listen to music while walking. They also like to text, answer calls, send emails and browse social media. Don’t do any of this when walking around town. This will only wind up putting you in a bad situation. You might not notice you are at the intersection, causing you to walk right out into traffic. If you have headphones in your ears you might not hear sirens of an emergency vehicle or the horn of a car beeping at you. 5. Learn and Follow Traffic Laws You must learn and follow all of the traffic laws associated with being a pedestrian. This includes waiting to cross until the light is green, not assuming vehicles will stop for you, and avoiding jaywalking at all times. Make eye contact with the driver closest to you before stepping foot onto the street from the sidewalk. Injured in a Pedestrian Accident? Call an Attorney Today Were you injured in a pedestrian accident in Sherman, TX? Did your loved one die because of a pedestrian accident? If so, it’s time to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case. Call the office of David K. Wilson & Associates, Attorneys at Law today to schedule an appointment. dit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
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