Texas Truck Wreck Attorney Blog

Semi-truck accidents perpetually plague America's roadways and endanger the lives of innocent drivers and passengers around them - in many cases because of careless driving. Unfortunately, the cause can often be traced to driver error - that of the semi-truck driver that is.

What follows are several accounts of accidents that were the arguably the result of careless rig driving.

*A semi-truck driver in a nearby state failed to gauge the flow of traffic ahead of him on the highway. He therefore did not realize that the traffic was slowing before it was too late. He rear-ended a semi-truck that had slowed in front of him and before the accident was over both semis burst into flames and both trucks and their contents were considered a total loss.

*A semi-truck driver who it was discovered to be an OTR or over-the-road hauler had a dvd player and small video unit installed in his dashboard as a means of staying entertained on the long trips across the country. Unfortunately the presence of a video playback center served as a distraction more than anything else.

When a particularly dramatic filled moment played out on screen the driver lost focus of his truck for more than a moment - and ended up running it off the road and into a field. In this case, no one was hurt - but the driver was ticketed for distracted driving

If nothing else, these stories should serve to remind small car and truck drivers that not all semi-truck drivers are giving their full attention to their 'job'. Your best bet is to drive defensively.

Continue reading "18 Wheeler Accidents and Driver Inattention" »

A split second decision in your vehicle can change your life forever - or take it away in an instant. In a neighboring state, a father-to-be pulled up in front of the public library so his pregnant wife would not have to walk on snowy walkways to get into the minivan. When she slipped he jumped out to run to her aid - and forgot to put the car in park. The minivan ran him over and killed him instantly while the mother of his first unborn child stood helplessly by. In Houston last week a similar car accident just claimed the life of a noted professor.

A young woman stepped out of her car to scan her parking ticket that would then raise the gate in a parking garage and allow her vehicle to exit. Most likely in a hurry - maybe happy to be done for the day - no one will ever know - she failed to put the car in park Even as she attempted to get back into the car it rolled forward and pinned her between her vehicle and the gate. She died.

A split second decision in your vehicle can change your life - or that of someone else - forever.
Trying to get a light before it turns red? Making a quick left hand turn across oncoming traffic to stop at your favorite grocer for dinner?

Finally, if you are exiting your vehicle ALWAYS put it in park.

Too often, we wish we could take back just a single moment in our decision making - my advice, slow down and think about what you're doing. The life you save may be your own.

Continue reading "Being in a Hurry Can Kill You" »

More and more research is confirming that the newest deadly problem facing drivers is what has been termed 'distracted driving'.

In fact, some studies argue that it is replacing drinking and driving as the biggest reason for automobile and truck fatalities on today's roads. With all the data that continues to be accumulated - this statement is hard to argue against. But before we talk facts and figures consider the reality of the following two incidents reported.

A high school boy in a nearby state who recently got his license was driving himself and friends to school - music blaring, everybody moving to the music and enjoying the freedom like no other that comes with being a teenage boy with your own car. A friend pulls up beside him - engines revving they decide to show off a little and race to the school parking lot. One car loses control and one teenage boy loses his life. One young man had to have extensive reconstructive surgery - no one is left unscathed emotionally.

Elsewhere a mother was alternately holding cell phone conversations with two children back and forth - putting the finishing touches on the after school schedule of who, what, where, when and why. She failed to see a stop sign - went through and was struck from the side. Sadly, she will be making no more schedules.

Distracted driving statistics now run as high as 20% percent of highway fatalities or - in real numbers - about 6000 persons killed last year alone in distracted driving accidents.

As a Texas personal injury attorney I am afforded a front row seat to the carnage - and the devastation left in its wake from distracted drivers.

Don't drive distracted because it may be the last time you drive.

Continue reading "Don't Drive Distracted!" »

Big truck accidents are happening with great regularity - not just in Texas, but in other states across the country as well. Let us consider some recent truck accidents.

In Missouri recently the trailer of a semi truck crossed into the path of a passenger car causing the driver of the vehicle to swerve to avoid running into the back of the rig. As a result both the passenger vehicle driver and the semi truck driver received injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital.

In Michigan recently the saying 'neither rain nor sleet nor hail will stop a mailman from delivering his mail' proved wrong when a semi truck carrying a load of U.S. letters and other post ran into the back of another semi - after which it hit a utility pole and brought down wires that caused local businesses and residences to lose power for several hours.

Apparently the first driver was stopped at a red light when the second driver ran into him. (It sounds like a case of distracted driving.) Both drivers were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

In a short news post from Mississippi yesterday drivers were warned away from a major thoroughfare due to an overturned semi truck. No details were available except to say that the entire highway was blocked. At the same time, in Colorado, a semi truck ran into the median in a predawn accident in which minor injuries were reported.

Finally, while none of the aforementioned accidents resulted in fatalities - that is actually unusual.

The more likely scenario is the one that follows:
Several days ago two different school buses transporting teenagers to a fun-filled getaway were involved in a chain reaction accident at a highway location in which traffic was at a standstill. One bus ran into the back of a semi truck and the other bus ran into it. Two teenagers lost their lives.

Big Rigs and commercial vehicles can easily cause serious injury or wrongful death, when 80,000 pounds meets a 5,000 pound passenger car bad things happen.

Continue reading "80,000 Pound Trucks Usually Cause Serious Injury" »

Department of Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood will propose new restrictions on commercial drivers sending text messages on the job. The new plans will be outlined today at the summit on distracted driving attended by many different interest groups.

Mr. LaHood has been instrumental in increasing regulations banning text and cell phone use by commercial drivers. The problem is not limited to commercial drivers however the Department of Transportation regulates 18 wheelers and is in a position to lead on this issue.

The DOT is committed to fighting distracted driving which has emerged as one of the biggest safety issues of our times with the explosion of texting in recent years.

Many companies have set their own safety policies regarding cell phone use and texting while driving. Those companies are to be applauded for their safety efforts.

In an experimental enforcement of cell phone bans while driving, police in two cities issued almost 10,000 tickets total for drivers talking or texting while driving.

There has been much debate on the safety of cell phone use and texting in the car.

Competing interests have different ideas on the dangers associated with it and what to do about the problem. Obviously, cell phones have become ingrained into the American way of life and limiting their use is a tough sell.

I'm sure all of you will recall the last time a car was stuck in a green light in front of you and upon observation the driver was on the cell phone.

One of the organizations that has led the fight to tougher regulation of cell phone use while driving is FOCUS DRIVEN, I urge you to support that organization.

Continue reading "DOT Proposes New Texting Restrictions" »

Department of Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood will propose new restrictions on commercial drivers sending text messages on the job. The new plans will be outlined today at the summit on distracted driving attended by many different interest groups.

Mr. LaHood has been instrumental in increasing regulations banning text and cell phone use by commercial drivers. The problem is not limited to commercial drivers however the Department of Transportation regulates 18 wheelers and is in a position to lead on this issue.

The DOT is committed to fighting distracted driving which has emerged as one of the biggest safety issues of our times with the explosion of texting in recent years.

Many companies have set their own safety policies regarding cell phone use and texting while driving. Those companies are to be applauded for their safety efforts.

In an experimental enforcement of cell phone bans while driving, police in two cities issued almost 10,000 tickets total for drivers talking or texting while driving.

There has been much debate on the safety of cell phone use and texting in the car.

Competing interests have different ideas on the dangers associated with it and what to do about the problem. Obviously, cell phones have become ingrained into the American way of life and limiting their use is a tough sell.

I'm sure all of you will recall the last time a car was stuck in a green light in front of you and upon observation the driver was on the cell phone.

One of the organizations that has led the fight to tougher regulation of cell phone use while driving is FOCUS DRIVEN, I urge you to support that organization.

Continue reading "DOT Proposes New Texting Restrictions" »

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood set the second national Distracted Driving Summit to be held September 21st, 2010 in Washington, DC.

Secretary LaHood will consult with DOT officials, law enforcement, Cell phone representatives, researchers and victims affected by cell phone use and car and truck accidents to further discuss what can be done to reduce distracted driving related car accidents.

The folks at the advocacy group called FocusDriven will be in attendance and looking to help in what can be done now to solve this ever growing problem. I urge you to support Focus Driven with contributions.

According to the group at Focusdriven, the 2010 Distracted Driving Summit will be live webcast at www.distraction.gov, enabling the participation of people around the country. Secretary LaHood and FocusDriven are encouraging those who can't attend in person - particularly students and classrooms of young drivers - to tune in and help put an end to distracted driving in their communities.

People watching the summit via webcast can also submit questions for panelists in advance by emailing DDSummit@dot.gov and indicating which panel the question is for in the subject line. Questions should be submitted by close of business on Monday, September 20.

Source: FocusDriven.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving Summit and FocusDriven" »

Almost every type of product in this country has spent some time on a 18-wheeler before reaching its final destination as a product on American shelves. OTR or long haulers are usually able to make their own schedules.

They are often responsible for loading and unloading their cargo, keeping accurate logs or account of their activities and ensuring their equipment is in safe and good working condition. Reports indicate the average truck driver makes anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000 a year minus traveling expenses and insurance.

The government mandates maximum driving hours and rest periods between shifts. This is to help ensure the public's safety so that drivers don't push themselves to work when they are drowsy or tired.

However, this limits the amount of money a driver can make and husband and wife driving teams are more common as a way to compensate for the limitations. Too, companies may employ two drivers to spot each other as another way to minimize the downtime.

Interestingly enough, although the country itself has been in an economic downturn over the last couple years - the trucking industry has been all but immune to it. However, truck drivers pay (like a lot of us) has not kept pace with the higher costs of living, which results in truckers wanting to drive more miles to just keep up.

Overall job opportunities for the trucking industry are favorable -especially for long haulers. Employment of truck drivers and driver/sales workers is expected to grow 9 percent over the 2008-18 decade, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.

As the economy grows, the demand for goods will increase, which will lead to more job opportunities. Because it is such a large occupation, 291,900 new jobs will be created over the 2008-18 period.

Finally, the number of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is expected to grow 13 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Lets hope that as part of that growth trucking companies add competent safety personnel to keep the drivers and the equipment up to par.

Continue reading "Trucking Poised for Growth" »

A 2008 semi truck accident that left three people dead, led to a guilty plea to the recounts of second-degree manslaughter. The truck driver admitted to reaching for cell phone when he slammed into several cars.

As a result of the plea bargain the truck driver will not spend additional time in jail. The truck driver was sentenced to one year in jail but was given credit for time served prior to the plea bargain and therefore will not spend any additional time behind bars.

This is another example of a truck driver being criminally charged in connection with distracted driving or impaired driving that resulted in a fatal accident.

In Texas and apparently across the US people are more demanding of commercial drivers and less and less sympathetic of excuses for causing fatal accidents.

Not only are criminal sanctions being sought but in a truck accident when conduct is such that endangers others, punitive damages are appropriate. If a person can be criminally charged for their conduct, shouldn't the law also allow punishment damages for the same conduct.

Continue reading "Truck driver avoids jail time on manslaughter charges " »