Houston 18 Wheeler Injury Lawyer explains how truck drivers can cause serious traffic accidents

Are you ever nervous when you pass an 18-wheeler or other large truck on the road, or do you not give it a second thought? For some people, large trucks are merely a fact of life on Texas and U.S. roads and highways, while for others tractor-trailers are accidents waiting to happen.

Passenger car drivers have every reason to fear being involved in a large truck crash. The immense size difference between a tractor trailer and a passenger vehicle means that very often the occupants of the passenger vehicle are seriously injured or killed in a collision.

If you or someone you know has been hurt or has died in a truck crash, you may be wondering what happened. Well, in some cases driver error is a major cause of large truck accidents. Here are some of the ways that driver behavior can lead to traffic accidents.

Driving while drowsy

Truck drivers spend a great deal of time behind the wheel, and there is always pressure for them to get where they are going as fast as possible. This can lead some drivers to push themselves harder than they should physically and mentally, even though there are a number of laws and regulations governing how long a driver can be behind the wheel without a break. Tired drivers can nod off at the wheel, turning their 18-wheeler into a deadly road missile.

Failing to properly inspect their truck

All trucks should receive regular inspections to comply with state and federal regulations. To ensure safety, drivers should inspect their vehicle before every trip. Brakes should be checked regularly, as well as tire pressure and condition, brake and engine fluids, lights and turn signals, and all mirrors should be properly adjusted. Failure to complete basic maintenance or regularly inspect a large truck can lead to equipment failure, something that can be deadly at 65 miles per hour.

Driving without a seatbelt

It seems as though this is safety advice for a trucker’s own good, but consider this. What if a truck driver hits a large bump or accidentally side-swiped another vehicle or lane divider? They may not cause a major crash, but if they are knocked out of their seat because they weren’t wearing their seatbelt, they could be at fault when a bad situation turns deadly after they lose control of their truck.

Not watching blind spots

All large trucks have blind spots, but not every driver vigilantly watches theirs. Other vehicle drivers often don’t realize exactly where a tractor trailer’s blind spots are nor do they know how large they are, which is why a third of all truck / car crashes involve the truck’s blind spot. Because of this, truck drivers need to be extra-careful when changing lanes or making maneuvers that could harm a vehicle in their blind spot.

Inadequate stopping distance

Some drivers tailgate, which means they don’t leave enough room between their large truck and the car in front of them. Because tractor-trailers require more room to stop than smaller vehicles, tailgating can lead to a serious accident that can kill or injure the occupants of the other vehicle.

Do you need help from an attorney after an accident involving a tractor-trailer? Contact the Houston based law firm Vujasinovic & Beckcom. Our lawyers have a list of impressive case results and a history of successfully handling a variety of large truck accident cases.

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C

1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020

Houston, TX 77002

Phone: 713.224.7800

Fax: 713.224.7801