Texas Truck Wreck Attorney Blog

Truck accidents while backing up big rigs to loading docks, and narrow alleyways is a pretty common occurrence, but that is changing as it has become affordable to have all tractor trailer combinations fitted with backup monitors for trucks.

This technology has been around for quite a while, but was mostly seen on high-end Sport Utility vehicles, and particular motor homes. These camera monitor combinations have particularly been invaluable when it comes to preventing backing up over small children that cannot be seen from the review mirrors, or through the vehicle windows.

Now commercial 18-wheelers, delivery vans, and the various other commercial vehicles can implement this technology in each vehicle for added safety. Generally, an aftermarket video backup system will cost three to four hundred dollars plus tax, and shipping, and are easily installed by someone with general knowledge of installing electronic gear. You will want to make sure and look for key features that will give you the most benefit for your purchase.

Buying your first unit should probably not be done online as you will want to inspect the unit to make sure it has heavy duty installation brackets for the camera and the monitor, plus a must have is night vision, as trucks do not only backup during they daylight hours. The monitor should be wireless, this will prevent having to deal with extra cabling when hooking and unhooking from a trailer. The antenna must be sturdy enough to hold up to all type of weather, and provide excellent signal strength between the monitor and camera.

Camera angle is very important, and if the unit that is being inspected does not adjust to varying angles, then keep looking as all trailers are not created equally and their must be an option in regards to how the unit is mounted. An extra wide angle lens should offer no less than a one hundred and forty degree view area, and picture quality should be good for up to about 50 feet away.

Concerning the range between the camera antenna and the cab, there should be a minimum of forty feet to ensure getting a crystal clear image on the remote monitor. Spending a little extra for a unit that will perform at the levels previously mentioned will be a good investment for the safety of your equipment, and any pedestrians or vehicles nearby. Prevention never costs as much damage, and saving a life with this technology is priceless.

Continue reading "Backup Monitors are Commercially Available for Trucks" »

According to reports, a semi-truck driver was robbed at gunpoint under an overpass for Highway 59 in Fort Bend County. Apparently the trucker had stopped and was talking to another truck driver under the overpass when the gunman appeared.

The other trucker had just pulled off when the robber pulled a gun and took the truck drivers wallet and fled the scene.

There is a good lesson here for everyone if you are alone at night and pulled off the side of the highway you can be at risk. Really families and passenger cars are more at risk than truck drivers for this type of crime.

If you must pull off the side of the road do so where you can safely park and if it's at night look for a lighted area or one where other people are around such as a convenience store.

Avoid people who look suspicious and areas that are known as dangerous or crime areas. Also we wary of people asking for something from you (like the time) as often it can be a distraction to enable an accomplice to approach you.

Continue reading "Truck Driver Robbed in Houston" »

Cars and trains are a deadly combination - yet the number of collisions between the two does not appear to be receding. According to experts there were nearly 10,000 vehicle (cars and trucks) and train collisions in a recent year.

That averages out to an accident at a railroad crossing about every 12 minutes in the United States. These accidents resulted in 650 deaths. Surprisingly it is not always the car or truck driver who is at fault. In fact, train conductors and/or the train companies themselves have been cited for all of the following problems.

Defects with the trains are the cause of up to one-third of all train-vehicle collisions and human error accounts for the other third. Granted - sometimes this means that the driver (or even pedestrian) makes a judgment in error that results in the collision but it is just as likely that the train operator is at fault for everything from drowsy to distracted 'conducting.

By 'defects' we are referring to problems with the railroad tracks, train couplings or other parts that could cause the train to malfunction. Unfortunately, it has been proved on numerous occasions that train and vehicle accidents could have been avoided if the railroad companies would have been more proactive in maintaining their property rather than waiting until there has been an injury or fatality to review safety measures and equipment.

As a driver it behooves you to motor cautiously around railroad tracks. Even if there are no warning lights or gates indicating that there is a train in route you are advised to stop and look both ways before crossing tracks.

This simple precaution could save your life.

Continue reading "Train Accidents " »

While motorcycles may beckon its owner to hit the open road - it should come with a great amount of caution because - unfortunately - many car and truck drivers fail to see motorcycles until it is too late. There are a number of circumstances in which a car or truck and motorcycle accident can occur - and the drivers of the larger vehicles often offer the following excuses.

#1 - I didn't see the motorcycle and/or the driver. Now you may be asking yourself how this could be but often a larger vehicle driver is looking for other cars and trucks. Motorcyclists have a tendency to be able to move agilely between lanes - but this ability to move quickly and freely make them harder to notice and react quickly.

#2 - Hazardous road conditions are much more dangerous for motorcyclists than car and truck drivers for the simple reason that the motorcyclist has no protective body surrounding them in the event of a crash. He or she has no airbags or seat belts - it's only him and the protective clothing they may be wearing. Even at that - many states no longer require motorcyclists to wear a helmet which places them in even graver danger.

#3 - Weather conditions also present greater problems for the motorcyclist than the average vehicle driver for much the same reasons as stated in reason #2. Motorcycles are more difficult to handle on wet, snowy or icy roads - and other vehicles can lose control in challenging weather conditions putting motorcyclists in danger.

Drive defensively - whether you are on a motorcycle or in a car or truck.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Accidents " »

Believe it or not one of the leading causes of accidents in Texas and across the country is inclement weather. Oh sure, people have accidents on sunny, dry days as well - but when the atmospheric conditions bring snow, sleet, rain, fog or hail then the odds of a vehicle collision rise exponentially.
There are several reasons for this.

First, the elements alter the drivability of a road's surface. Of course, the optimum condition is dry (and sunny). Then there is nothing to come between a tire and the highway surface which keeps the car or truck on a safer course (generally). It is when water, snow and ice create a layer between the treads of your tire and the roadway that driving conditions become more volatile.

Any of these forms of precipitation can cause a driver to hydroplane, slide or otherwise lose control of the wheel and (therefore) control of the car and this is when accidents happen.

Of course poor weather can wreak other havoc as well. For instance, it may prevent drivers from seeing others around them or it may cause other drivers to lose control of their vehicles which could then impact you.

There are courses available that help drivers learn how to handle a vehicle in challenging road conditions. You will learn such things as how to safely maneuver out of a slide, hydroplane or other incident in which control of the vehicle is momentarily lost to you. I recommend this type of training to all drivers - in the end it may literally save your life.

Continue reading "Driving in the Rain in Texas" »

If my readers tire of the mantra - 'just when I think I've heard it all another story comes along so incredible as to defy belief' - well, trust me I get weary of saying it. This would hold true for the following news item about a sensational and wholly preventable automobile crash that killed an innocent passenger who was just out looking to buy a new car.
The story has so many angles it could be filed under drunk driving accident, speeding, wrongful death and more.

In a northeastern state right after this past Christmas holiday a man and his son went out to do some casual window shopping of import cars. The salesman (who allegedly has a history of driving while under the influence accompanied by some jail time) offered to join them in a test drive and after the prospective buyer had the opportunity to drive the salesman took the wheel forcing the vehicle to travel at up to 100 mph.

The ending is all too predictable. The salesman lost control of the car. It went airborne, crashed and killed the older gentleman. When the police arrived on the scene the salesman admitted to drinking rum before driving - and a blood test determined there was marijuana in his system as well.

The 'moral' (if there is one) to this story - or perhaps a better phrase is the 'caution' of it is to be sure that the person who takes you out for ride in a car is not intoxicated or otherwise impaired. Your life may literally depend on it.

There are a number of interesting things going on in the world of cars and trucks. For the purposes of this blog we will simply offer a recap of what's relevant and interesting.

No doubt higher gas prices are here to stay. 'They've' been threatening it for years and all of the signs have aligned to allow for what can pass as legitimate excuses to raise the prices at the pump. After all, there's unrest across all of the Middle East and besides, the economy has held in inflation for as long as possible so look out.

Therefore, if there ever was a time to consider buying a vehicle that gets good gas mileage there's no time like the present and according to one news source there are a variety of quality vehicles that offer the consumer up to 40 miles to a gallon - and all for a fair cost. If you're in the market for a new vehicle give this some serious consideration.

Other 'oil' news? Well, two things of note - in some remote areas of Alaska gasoline is supposedly ten dollars a gallon and there is talk that our US leaders will consider dipping into our own oil reserves to help temper the rising costs of oil. They do that mainly when they feel the price of oil is artificially high and they can later replace the oil at a lower cost. In other words in speculation driven markets.

Now, one more story of interest. Our current president predicted a revolution in the automobile industry - suggesting that there might be up to a million electric vehicles on the road within the next few years.

It appears this declaration will fall far short - but it is helpful to recognize that presidents for the last 25 years have all denounced our "addiction to oil" but none have done anything meaningful to move us in a new direction.

Continue reading "The US Addiction to Oil" »

In a neighboring state a recent accident that claimed three lives only serves as further proof that in the case of collisions that involve semi-trucks - other drivers are often on the losing end.

Reports indicate the crash involved a major and well known delivery service whose logo is instantly recognizable to millions of Americans. According to the driver of the semi he did not see that SUV and claims he may only had gently struck it from behind.

But this 'hit' - and accident reconstruction shows that it may have struck with more force on the SUV driver's side - was enough to send it 'careering out of control'. When it came to rest three persons were killed and four seriously injured with trauma that included everything from broken legs to a broken back and more.

Involved in this tragedy were three adults and four children returning to their home from a wedding with the groom in tow who would fly back to his bride after safely depositing his family who had attended the joyous event.

The accident occurred in the wee hours of the morning - the time between dark and dawn when it is most difficult to see and discern items on the road ahead (occasionally).

Only two persons were wearing seatbelts - the driver and front passenger - perhaps, mistakenly feeling it was safe to travel without them on nearly empty highways. Time and again experts have shown that seat belts do save lives and choosing not to wear them may be the difference between life and death.

Preliminary results from a toxicology test done on the semi driver show no indication of drugs or alcohol and at this time there will be no charges filed against him.

Continue reading "Truck Accident Turns Fatal" »

There are a few general considerations in a wrongful death lawsuit. First, was the death a result - in part or total - of the negligent (deliberate or accidental) actions of another person or entity (such as a business). Too, the state statute related to wrongful deaths - which was originally written in the 19th century - also states that it is a wrongful death if it is caused by another person's 'carelessness or unskillfulness' which all relates back to the breach of a duty which causes a death.

Second, are there any surviving loved ones or beneficiaries? Finally, does the family wish to seek recoverable damages?

In the haze of a loss many surviving family members do not realize they are able to sue the person or entity in a civil proceeding (which may occur separately from any criminal prosecution) to recover the cost of medical and funeral bills, lost wages and support and even such things as 'loss of companionship'. However, there is a time limit set on filing this civil suit.

Generally there is a time limit of two years from the actual date of death in Texas. After that, the person or family loses the right to sue for wrongful death - forever. This statute of limitations varies from state to state -and if you have any question about the statute of limitations it is best to contact a wrongful death lawyer in the state in question and find out.

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one - do not wait to seek legal counsel. Hire an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible while evidence is fresh and before any opportunity to recover damages is lost.

One of the most catastrophic yet rarely considered types of injuries that result from an automobile or truck accident is a coma.

Doctors claim a person is in a coma if they exhibit the following traits:
*They are unable and do not initiate normal movements or voluntary actions
*They do not respond to painful stimuli
*They have been unconscious for a number of hours and cannot be awoken
*They do not exhibit a normal sleep/wake cycle
*They do not respond to sound and/or light

Comas are the result of trauma to the brain and, frankly, a diagnosis of 'comatose' has the potential to lead to hours and weeks before a recovery may occur - but can equally result in the death of the patient. It is not unheard of for comatose persons to remain in a vegetative state for years.

In studies done on the relationship of comas and vehicle collisions some interesting findings were uncovered. First, seatbelts themselves did little to prevent head trauma or lower the risk of a coma. But when airbags were introduced they tended to offer a greater extent of protection to the head and brain - with a noticeable decrease in coma injuries - particularly in front end collisions.

Unless side airbags are also standard in a vehicle then there was no noticeable depreciation in the number of persons who suffered comas in this type of accident.
As airbag technology becomes more sophisticated it is expected that the ability to prevent catastrophic injuries will increase.

Continue reading "Head Injury Accidents" »

Sometimes circumstances propel change - and nowhere is this becoming more apparent than in the automobile industry. While Americans have toyed with the idea of transitioning from gasoline powered vehicles to electric - or some type of a more environmentally friendly engine (versus the carbon killing gasoline and diesel fueled ones) - I would suspect that this may now happen at warp speed thanks to the unrest in the Middle East that jeopardizes our addiction to the ability to access a steady and never-ending flow of oil at a reasonable cost.

Well, even as the automobile companies are touting the advantages of this new technology - studies have demonstrated that electric cars are not without their problems. Several of the more significant challenges these futuristic vehicles present are the lack of 'fueling' stations to support the vehicle on long trips while, conversely, their inability to travel long distances on a single charge.

Too, cold weather has been found to impact the drivability and even comfort of the electric car. Finally, they are very pricey for a vehicle that falls in the 'small car' category. Several have back-up gasoline engines, others are hybrid and one or two are totally electric.

Finally - and this one seems like the 'elephant in the room' - the vehicle has to be plugged in to be charged - which people will need to do at home (and charging times can run up to 8 hours). How will this affect home electric bills then? So if you are paying less for gasoline and more for electric will there be a savings in anyway? I guess we'll all need to stay tuned. Possibly natural gas will be used like in other areas of the world.

We will see when America finally gets tired of pollution and high prices and makes the change.

Continue reading "Alternative Power for Cars and Trucks" »