As the old year comes to a close and we welcome a new...decade...let us hope that some of the newer safety regulations and safety features on semi trucks and other commercial vehicles will help to lower the number of injury and fatality accidents on our state roadways. Consider the following recently enacted legislation as well as some of the newer safety devices you'll see on trucks.
Everyone will be glad to hear that it is now against the law for truck drivers to be on their cell phones when they are operating their vehicles.
Several horrific accidents that claimed the lives of innocent Texans finally led to this latest law. Talking and texting on a phone while driving has been found to have the potential to be so deadly that many states are following suit and impuning fines and other punishments when a person has been found to be using their phones behind the wheel of their vehicle.
But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that when a semi truck driver is distracted - the odds increase exponentially for injury and death.
Too, the number of rear end accidents in which a smaller car slams into the back of a semi and proceeds to then slide under it - causing the roof top to sheer off and the driver and passengers to be killed instantly - has remained steadily too high. This is known as an under-ride accident.
Now legislators are considering a requirement for semi trucks to be equipped with panels that will prevent this scenario in the event of a crash.
The number of semi trucks on American roads is going to increase over the next decade - not decrease. We must continue to find ways to share the roads safely with these oversized vehicles.
Greg Baumgartner is a Texas personal injury lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a Texas accident lawyer call the Baumgartner firm.
