Texas Truck Wreck Attorney Blog

Let us continue our discussion on the trucking industry by examining related financial statistics.
According the website listed at the end of this blog the "total revenue estimates produced by the trucking industry are 255.5 billion. Of this figure 'for hire' or 'common carriers trucking' companies generated revenue estimated at 97.9 billion.

They outdid air transportation by 18 billion. Private fleets generated revenue estimated at 121 billion. Their operating ratio is 95.2 which means for every dollar in revenue the trucking company has a cost of 95.2 cents leaving them with a profit of 4.8 cents.

The driver makes approximately 30.3 cents per mile with an average yearly income of $32,000. It costs 41.73 cents per mile to operate a semi or $83.68 per hour. Finally, trucks consumed 53.9 billion gallons of fuel for business".

These stats further confirm the contention that the trucking industry is completely entwined in the American economy and I offer that were it to falter or meet its demise would be to strike a catastrophic blow. For the time being semis and other trucks will be around into the near future.

However, while I attempt with each blog to inform the reader about a topic related to the act of driving I will take a moment to opine. Our firm is deeply entrenched in all things accident related and it is our unfortunate lot to see the results of collisions up close and personal.

As stated in previous blogs semis account for anywhere from 9% to 12% of traffic deaths annually across the country. These scenes and their aftermath are heart wrenching and haunting. But it will not prevent truckers from hitting the road so what must be done is to continue our quest to prevent truck accidents instead.

Continue reading "Trucking is big business part 2" »

Trucking is big business in this country. One reliable source offers the following statistics.

"The trucking companies, warehouses and private sector in the U.S. employs an estimated 8.9 million people employed in trucking-related jobs; nearly 3.5 million were truck drivers. Of this figure UPS employs 60,000 workers and 9% are owner operators. LTL shippers account for around 13.6 percent of America's trucking sector"(click on the website at the end of this blog for more information).

In addition, there are about 15 and a half million trucks on U.S. roadways of which 2 million are semis and trucks deliver 70% of all freight in the country. These figures give one cause to pause. I doubt there isn't a person out there who hasn't been annoyed by semi trucks on the road at one time or another.

They're oversized and intimidating alongside any automobile or SUV on the market and there can be no question they are harmful to the environment. To safely pass one most people can be seen catching their breath and saying a silent prayer. The same holds true when a semi comes up behind you or zooms by with enough force to rock your vehicle.

Yet, a little respect please. The trucking industry is vital to the American economy. Until someone either comes up with an alternative, viable solution for transporting goods from one coast to the other or Americans show signs of waning materialism - turning their backs on acquiring the latest anything - then semi trucks will be a regular spectacle on our highways and we all will need to drive safely.

Continue reading "Trucking is big business" »

Now that we are fully ensconced in the summer season and getting ready to hit the highways on vacations there is a particular subject that needs to be addressed - work zones.

Summer and roadwork go hand-in-hand. If the reader scours the news he or she will find a sad litany of accidents that have been caused in work zones that have resulted in injury and death.

Often it is simply because the driver is not fully engaged in the act of driving or not paying full attention. After reading the following tragic example of work zone accidents - hopefully drivers will redouble their efforts to remain vigilant and safe when driving.

Last summer a crew was repairing a stretch of highway around Houston. Traffic had slowed to a halt and was backed up a half mile or so in a single lane. Even though signs had been posted for several miles before the actual area under construction the driver of an eighteen wheeler was not paying full attention.

When the truck driver realized the traffic was stopped he slammed on his brakes - but was too late to prevent an accident. He plowed into the car in front of him killing both passengers immediately. The impact pushed the car into the one in front of it and the driver of that car was gravely injured.

Remember, highway construction goes on year round in Texas. Stay alert to signs of construction when driving and follow the posted rules.

1. Never tailgate a semi truck - again they may not be able to see you (for that matter never tailgate at all!)

2. Semi trucks have eighteen tires that may be problematic. If a tire blows it does so with such force that the flying pieces can cause damage to anything in its path.

3. Watch out for trucks parked in the road or on the side of the road- many accidents acre caused by improper parking of a semi truck.

4. Be aware if a truck in front of you is turning do not try to pass it until the turn is complete because the driver may not be able to see you.

5. Remember the size of a truck causes it to be slow to start and slow to stop. Give them wide berth on the roadways.

6. Be patient. The size of semi trucks makes it understandable that moving them is cumbersome for even the best drivers out there.

7. When you pass a semi truck on the highway always pass on the left side and do not linger beside the truck - otherwise you may be in their blind spot.

8. Trucks that are hauling hazardous material must perform a complete stop at all railroad crossings.

9. Use your turn signals to allow the truck driver to know your intentions. Be sure to turn them off when done to prevent confusion.

Continue reading "What you can do to avoid a truck accident" »

Although the focus of this Texas truck accident lawyer blog has been semi truck accidents there are a number of different types of commercial vehicles.

There are dump trucks, eighteen wheelers, flatbed and garbage trucks, panel and tanker trucks. Let us consider the uses of each. Dump trucks are used for transporting material and are typically equipped with hydraulically controlled open-box bed hinged at the rear. The front of a dump truck lifts to deposit its materials at the site of delivery.

A flatbed often is usually entirely flat with absolutely no sides or roof. They are used to transport heavy goods that are not vulnerable to the elements. A waste collection vehicle picks up waste and hauls it to landfills or other recycling facilities.

Heavy trucks are the largest trucks allowed on the road and used most commonly for hauling. A panel truck is a windowless cargo van built on to a truck chassis. They are usually used for delivery.

When accident statistics are considered commercial vehicle numbers are figured separately from semi truck accidents. As recently as 2007 there were approximately 4300 deaths from large truck crashes and 77,000 injuries.

As we have cautioned readers in their driving behavior when near a semi truck on the highway - these recommendations hold equally true for all commercial vehicles. Keep a safe distance when on the highway and be sure the truck driver sees you when you pass.

In fact, give commercial vehicles and semi trucks wide berth on the highway - it's the safest response.

The Baumgartner law firm is pleased to announce the settlement of a substantial truck accident case. Our client was severely injured when struck by a commercial truck in a chain reaction accident with his automobile.

Unfortunately, our client required surgery to deal with his back injury from the truck accident. The recovery process was slow and painful.

After much negotiation, the insurance carrier for the trucking company settled the case for a substantial figure, but required the amount to remain confidential.

The Baumgartner law firm is happy to have successfully concluded another Texas truck accident case to the satisfaction of our client.

One piece of evidence that sometimes is available is what is known as the "black box" data. The black box is essentially an electronic data recorder which is a computer that monitors and reports information when certain things happen.

Typically, in the event of a sudden change in velocity or impact a black box will record some or all of the following information: brake application, RPM, truck speed, gear, and other important accident reconstruction information.

Some commercial vehicles contain the data recorders and some do not. An experienced truck accident lawyer will know which 18-wheelers have the event recorders and which do not.

Continue reading "The black box can be critical to successful truck accident litigation." »

New Braunfels, Texas, an 18-wheeler went off Interstate 35 at a bridge and killed not only the truck driver but also a passenger. The 18-wheeler accident caused diesel fuel to be discharged and the cleanup has been significant.

At this time, authorities do not know which of the two fatalities were driving the tractor-trailer at the time of the accident. The trucking company identified as Point Dedicated Services out of Detroit employed both of the fatalities.

The reports of the truck accident indicate that the truck caught fire and the fire consumed the tractor-trailer. Traffic on Interstate 35 was stopped dead while the investigation was started and the fire battled.

According to reports, Texas Department of transportation was looking into the integrity of the bridge given the significant fire damage. Once the all clear was given traffic was resumed after about six hours. Authorities ordered autopsies of the truck accident victims.

At this time, authorities have yet to indicate the cause of the truck accident or the cause of the truck fire.

http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/automotive/trucks/

A young family was destroyed when an 18-wheeler rear-ended their Toyota 4 Runner and caused the death of the wife and two children.

The husband of the deceased and father of the children survived the 18-wheeler accident and was rescued by a tow truck driver. The tow truck driver pulled the husband from a burning vehicle to save his life.

The husband was hospitalized with third degree burns but had lost his whole family in the accident. This young family is an example of the terror that an 18-wheeler accident can cause to victims when an accident happens.

The fatal accident happened on Interstate 20 in what has been described as heavy traffic when the Toyota was rear-ended by the semi truck.

The truck driver was also injured in the accident and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

A truck accident can wipe out entire families in the matter of a second. My heart pours out to the father who lost his wife and children.

A Texas man was hospitalized after being severely injured in a truck wreck on Highway 185 not far from US 59. The injured man was flown to Corpus Christi after being cut out of his vehicle.

The truck accident happened when the man driving a pickup truck rear-ended a commercial truck carrying gravel. Texas state troopers investigated the accident and supervised the traffic, which was backed up for cleanup and rescue.

The driver of the pickup truck has not been identified as of this date. Hopefully, his injuries are not life threatening. Whenever a victim is flown to a hospital it is not a good sign as for as injury goes.

There are no reports regarding the speeds of the vehicle at the time of the accident. Given the fact reported by DPS that the pickup driver had to be cut out of his vehicle, the impact had to be significant and the speed disparity great.

Commercial vehicles are required to maintain standards regarding design of the bumpers and under ride potential. Truck accident attorneys who handle mainly truck accident cases should be well versed in analyzing not only the cause of the accident but also the cause of the injuries.

Four people were injured and three people died in a multiple car pileup on Interstate 20 in Texas. A Toyota 4 Runner caught fire and burst into flames when hit from the rear and was the vehicle that the wrongful death victims occupied according to reports.

A Texas Department of public safety officer reported that the SUV was hit from behind by an 18-wheeler, pushed into another car and then struck another big rig. Occupants of the second vehicle were listed as those injured in the truck accident. At least one of the survivors was listed in critical condition.

Witnesses reported seeing the Toyota 4 Runner burst into flames at impact. Frequently, the truck accident lawyer will look into the manufacture of a vehicle that burst into flames.

This terrible accident is an example of the devastation that a 20,000-pound vehicle can cause at highway speeds.

DPS is investigating this Texas truck accident and no preliminary opinions are currently available.

Continue reading "Texas truck accident leaves three dead others injured" »