Trucking Accidents
In Texas, as in the rest of the USA, 18-wheeler trucks provide the preferred method for moving freight. At any time on the highways of America, there are thousands of 18-wheelers on the roads. These vehicles are huge, weigh several tons and are unable to come to a stop as quickly as smaller vehicles. Every year, thousands of road accidents involving these vehicles take place in Texas, resulting in casualties, injuries and structural damages.
What are the causes of trucking accidents?
Trucking accidents can be attributed to a number of reasons, including careless driving, driving under the influence (DUI), talking on a cell phone or texting while driving, speeding and failing to notice traffic signals, product defects and poor maintenance of the trucks. But the number one reason for trucking accidents has been found to be driver fatigue. Since drivers are often required to drive continuously for over 12 hours a stretch, it’s not surprising that they fall asleep at the wheel, which cause some catastrophic accidents.
What are the rules concerning 18-wheelers?
Since large and heavy vehicles like 18-wheeler trucks can cause a lot of destruction, they are subject to a set of strict federal regulations that involve mandatory state licensing, vehicle registration and inspection requirements. The operator must comply with stringent TxDOT regulations that govern pre-trip and post-trip inspections of the vehicle as well as the maximum number of hours that a truck driver may operate. If the truck is carrying hazardous cargo, it may also be subject to federal regulations governing the safe transportation of hazardous materials.
What should you do if you are injured in a trucking accident?
If you are injured in an trucking accident in Texas or someone in your family is killed, you should immediately get in touch with Funk & Associates. We are an Austin law firm handling trucking accidents in every city in Texas.