Texas Truck Wreck Attorney Blog

Another illustrious government agency is the U.S. Department of Transportation. Although their purview includes all types of transportation - land, sea and air - they perform a variety of valuable services and provide a wealth of information to the American public. One of their current campaigns is to call attention to the dangers of distracted driving but there are a number of other relevant concerns currently posted on the site as well.

For instance, if you would like to know more about vehicle safety, drug and alcohol testing, airline security and the TSA, anything related to the trucking industry, the future of high speed rail in this country and access to state department of transportation satellites - then you would find this information at www.dot.gov.

In addition, the issue of green energy and transportation is also addressed on the website - and if you are the type of person who likes to keep track of where your tax dollars are going then you may access the extensive budgetary, performance and accountability material provided in a separate comprehensive presentation.

Finally, the website offers separate listings of services they provide to citizens, businesses and government agencies. Individuals can access extensive libraries and research, consumer and recreational information, the detailed provisions and expectations to apply for transportation related grants and loans - and other consumer related instruction.

As with the NHTSA site - I urge readers to take the time to review this website

Continue reading "The Department of Transportation Website" »

A number of studies have been done over the past several decades whose findings have revealed that - even though each collision is unique - there are several common causes of truck accidents across the country.

Let us consider the top five mistakes that lead to truck wrecks involving semi-trucks (and other commercial vehicles) and often result in injury and wrongful death.

*Improper truck maintenance is one reason that so many semi-truck accidents happen on American roads. Worn tire tread, unattended to brakes and brake systems, inattention to proper care of the coupling system and other oversights in the care of an 18 wheeler can have deadly consequences for the rig driver and other unsuspecting persons on the road. Unfortunately, proactive attention to proper maintenance may be the best life-saving interventions that can be undertaken by the trucking industry.

*Driver fatigue is also one of the top five causes of truck accidents. Semi-truck drivers are put under pressure by their respective trucking companies to get their commodities from the place of origin to their destination. This leads to individuals pushing themselves beyond their physical capabilities in order meet expectations. Even though regulations are in place that are meant to prevent drivers criss-crossing the country without the proper rest - it happens regularly anyway - and, not surprisingly, accidents are often the result.

*Speeding is yet another cause of semi-truck accidents because it is another way that drivers can make up for time lost in traffic jams or bad weather. It can also lead to deadly accidents at a moment's notice because of unpredictable events on the roads that do not allow drivers adequate stopping time and distance.

Finally - improperly placed loads and substance abuse round out the top five causes of semi-truck accidents.

If you notice a truck driver behaving erratically contact local law enforcement or the state highway patrol. We have an obligation to keep each other safe on the roads.

Continue reading "Top 5 Causes of Truck Accidents" »

The federal government has developed a site that is devoted solely to keeping the public informed about vehicle collisions in the country. Known as the Fatality Accident Reporting System or FARS - it is operated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) under the auspices of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

FARS is strictly statistical in nature - drawing its information from a variety of sources including accident reports, vehicle registration and driver's license files, death certificates, coroner and medical examiner reports, and emergency service and medical record reports.

The purpose for this data gathering is to use facts that include weather conditions, time of day, speed and a determination of alcohol impairment and other factors to determine a cause of death. In addition, they consider such things as the age and sex of drivers and passengers and the type of vehicle or vehicles involved in the collision.

Finally, the type of accident is cataloged - such as whether it was a roll-over, rear-end or head-on crash.

Of course, much more information than this is available on the site. In the end, though, the hope is that through this fact-gathering trends may emerge that help experts determine ways in which further accidents - resulting in catastrophic injuries and/or death - may be prevented.

Too, it is an excellent resource for organizations that advocate safe driving habits and manufacturers who are consistently looking to engineer better safety devices.

Continue reading "FARS- Car and Truck Accident Statistics" »

One of the most valuable government organizations is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. I stay abreast of current research related to all things 'driving' and particularly things related to accident prevention and safety.

What follows are a few of the most recent findings and cautions from this group as shown on the NHTSA web site.

*If you have children then you can register your car seat on the NHTSA website. If the car seat becomes subject to a recall for any reason - you will be notified with all relevant information.

*In light of the recent increase in gasoline at stations around the country - the NHTSA has created a lengthy list of suggestions to help save on fuel economy and get the most out of your fuel dollars.

*The NHTSA website provides a lengthy discourse on the results of the most recent crash studies - and names the safest vehicles in all categories.

*There are special sections devoted to the various driving hazards mentioned on a regular basis in this blog - including senior and teen driving, impaired and distracted driving as well as the most recent safety devices that come standard in new vehicles.

Their findings tend to be academic and unbiased - trustworthy.

Finally, they offer the user access to an image library, budget, regional offices and organizational chart. The site is easy to navigate - and may be one of the most educational uses of your time. Click to view the NHTSA site.

Continue reading " National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Website" »

Impaired driving can not only be the result of intoxication or the ingestion of illegal substances - sometimes simple over the counter medications or prescription drugs can also inhibit safe motoring. In other cases these same drugs can interact with alcohol in a way that increases its potency as well.

For instance, experts have found that aspirin taken with a caffeine drink can have the same dulling effects as several drinks - comparing to an 0.05 level of alcohol in the bloodstream. Dramamine - a substance taken to combat seasickness - can also cause drowsiness and dizziness - a dangerous combination for drivers and a number of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines increases the effects of alcohol when taken in combination. Any time a driver is less than 100% the odds of a car accident or a truck accident increase.

Too, there are millions of prescription drugs taken by persons on a daily basis in this country. In fact, research suggests that nearly eighty percent of individuals age 65 and over take at least one type of medicine daily - and many are on a combination regimen of drugs for a wide variety of ailments.

While it's heartening to realize that the pharmaceutical companies and medicine have been able to increase the length and quality of life - this progress comes with risks.
Unfortunately, many seniors are unable to verbalize the cautions their physicians have given in relation to taking medicine and driving.

At the same time, research is beginning to show there is a direct correlation between prescription and over the counter medications and an increase in vehicular collisions.

If you are using any type of medicine - read the labels, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist. Be fully cognizant of the effects of medicine on your ability to drive safely.

Continue reading "Impaired Driving by OTC Drugs" »

Automobile accidents are a regular part of the driving experience in Houston, Dallas and across Texas. Some are more unique than others - and some are more deadly. Consider the following news stories about car and truck wrecks on city roads and highways.

*Three teens led police on a high-speed chase through the city of Houston after stealing a vehicle and then using it to ram a gas station - which they then proceeded to rob. In the end no one was hurt and the teens were taken into custody. Damages are expected to run into the thousands of dollars.

*The founder of a well-known church in another state was killed and his wife injured in a fatal truck accident although what happened is unclear, reports suggest it may have been that the vehicle he was driving veered into the lane of oncoming traffic and smashed head on into a semi-truck.

*A pedestrian was killed and 7 others injured when an SUV ran a stop sign during a police pursuit and hit a bus - forcing it into the bystander and pinning him below the bus. The driver and passengers in the SUV were all taken into custody and charged with manslaughter and burglary.

In each of these accidents the causes can be traced to ongoing debates about driving. In the first accident there have been continued discussions about the proper age for young people to be given permission to drive. Even though the youth allegedly stole the car - if the age of driving were raised would teens consider getting behind the wheel of a vehicle?

In the second accident - the opposite debate rages. The driver was nearly eighty years old and accidents with elder drivers require that we have an honest and open discussion about the proper age at which the elderly should regularly tested for a drivers license.

Finally, police chases are some of the most controversial subjects in municipalities across the country. I would wager that the loved ones of the gentleman who died would feel that the value of a stolen vehicle couldn't compare to the loss of their father, grandfather, uncle, and son.

Continue reading "Recent Accidents" »

The simple truth of the matter is that 18-wheeler accidents are not the same as a two-car crash. Victims of semi truck accidents generally have pretty significant injuries given the huge disparity in weight between a passenger car and a tractor-trailer.

The operation of an 18 wheeler is quite different from the typical passenger car, not only are the brakes substantially different but the braking characteristics and stopping distances are more complex given the articulated vehicle and waits up to 80,000 pounds.

Additionally, truck accident lawyers must be well versed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations such that they can recognize a violation of a statutory duty whether on the truck driver's part or the motor carrier.

A lawyer who handles tractor-trailer accidents on an everyday basis is in a much better place to assess the liability of a given accident and also to prosecute a truck accident case. A simple way to determine whether or not the lawyer you are speaking with is an experienced truck accident attorney is to ask them for their case results in 18-wheeler accident litigation.

While a successful track record in 18-wheeler accident litigation is desirable it is not the only factor that a victim should consider. Truck accidents tend to be much more complicated than the everyday car accident and involve much higher numbers in terms of damages.

It is critically important that the lawyer you select to help you seek justice in a Texas truck accident case be one that you are comfortable with and feel good about.

Continue reading "Why Hire a Real Truck Accident Attorney" »

A spate of accidents on local roadways over the weekend prompted me to offer the following statistics regarding injury and fatality accidents.

While most people equate long-distance trips with vehicle accidents - often it is just the opposite that is true. Drivers who are just taking the car to run down the street for a last minute grocery item (or the like) have just as much of a chance of being in an auto accident as someone traveling on the highway at 70-80 miles an hour.

That is because the 'local' driver may drive with less regard for their safety believing (mistakenly) that they won't be in an accident.

Driving on city roads requires as much - if not more - attention than highway driving because there are so many things going on at the same time. Drivers are changing lanes; pedestrians and bike and motorcycle riders are darting in and out (counting on the drivers to be paying attention) and, finally, the local driver allows themselves to drive distractedly because they are on a simple errand.

However, this same errant thinking spills over into drivers who tend to take the same highway routes every day as well. Those who take the same commute each day will put their minds on auto-pilot and take care of other business - like bill-paying or even handling business matters over the phone.

It only takes a moment to change the course of your (and others) life forever. Give driving the full attention it deserves - just in case someone else is not.

Continue reading "Most Accidents Happen Close to Home" »

The pelvic area is particularly vulnerable in a car or truck crash and may be injured in a number of ways that requires lengthy painful and recuperation times.

The pelvis is a 'ring-like' structure of 3 bones - the pubis, ilium and ischium - found at the bottom of the human trunk. These bones fuse as people age - and the pelvic region is one of the most important in the human body. It is the area from which the hip sockets begin. In addition, many of the reproductive and digestive organs rest within it.

Finally, important blood and nerve vessels that serve the lower half of the body - the legs in particular - pass through the pelvis.

Therefore, injury to this area can be particularly grievous and lead to substantial problems in the case of an automobile or truck accident. Depending on the extent of the injury any of the following treatment regimens may occur.

In some instances pelvic injuries may be treated non-surgically such as if the person suffers a type of fracture that only requires the use of crutches or a walker for several months. Limited mobility can lead to blood-clotting issues, however, and the victim may be put on blood thinners over the course of rehabilitation.

If the pelvic area sustains high energy trauma then surgery will most likely be required. An external fixator may be inserted into the pelvic region to help stabilize it. This is a device that has long screws that insert directly into the bones and then connects to the frame of the body.

It helps address internal organ, nerve and blood vessel issues. In addition, a person may be required to be in traction for a period of time as well.

Pelvic injuries are painful and even the slightest ones can require months of rehabilitation and recuperation - the most severe may be types from which there may never be a complete recovery.

Continue reading "Pelvic Injury from a Truck or Car Accident" »

There has been a spate of semi-truck accidents lately on Houston roadways and in the greater Houston area. Some have been fatality collisions and others less serious.
Just this morning before dawn reports suggest a woman was traveling at a high rate of speed in a minivan and failed to realize that a semi-truck was stopped at an intersection.

She rear-ended the rig and died as a result - even though she was wearing a seatbelt. Toxicology reports are pending on the woman who lost her life. The truck driver passed a blood alcohol test. My heart goes out to the family.

In yet another early morning semi-truck accident in nearby Fort Worth, the 18 wheeler overturned spilling fuel and knocking out power to nearby homes and businesses. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time as is the condition of the driver - although initial reports indicated he was trapped in the wreckage and when he was freed he was flown to a nearby hospital. In some cases the truck driver can pursue the motor carrier if the accident was caused by the truck they supplied or maintained.

Finally, in a third match-up of Texas 18 wheeler accidents this morning the driver of a pick-up truck lost control of his vehicle and crossed the median where he then sideswiped an 18-wheeler. He, too, was airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. No word on the condition of the semi driver but all indications are that he sustained only minor injuries.

Three tractor-trailer truck accidents in three hours is sobering news to say the least. The reader should remember that pre-dawn driving can be very dangerous because drivers tend to be drowsy and it is difficult to see the road and other drivers.

Continue reading "Recent Truck Accidents in Texas- Continued" »

There have been some ugly semi-truck accidents in the Houston area recently according to reports. The most recent occurred on the heavily traveled I-10 when a rig jack-knifed and spilled fuel across the highway closing it to travelers for several hours. No word on the cause but fortunately there were no injuries. I figure it's always a good day when no physical harm results from a semi-truck accident.

In another heart-stopping semi-truck accident that occurred in the nearby city of Fort Worth - all indications are that the driver lost control of his tanker and before all was said and done he found himself sitting in his cab as it dangled from an overpass. The accident occurred in the wee hours of the morning and began when the truck apparently hit a small car with two persons inside.

Everyone - that is the truck driver and passengers of the car - was taken to the hospital with updates available on anyone's condition. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. However, the circumstances were dramatic enough to make national headlines as video of the truck, driver and accident were flashed on major news stations around the country. Certainly it was the potential for disaster that captivated the American audience.

Finally, news of another semi-truck accident in Bellevue, Texas only the day before finds that one person was left dead after a chain reaction of events that seem almost too difficult to fathom. It reportedly began when a semi-truck lost its rear tandem axles (how can that happen) causing the driver to lose control and end up in the median with the truck on its side.

The axles continued to travel down the highway. Meanwhile a driver pulled over to help the trucker and the axles struck another car. The driver of this second car exited his vehicle to inspect the damage when he himself was struck and killed by another semi-truck driver.

In each case there is undoubtedly a precaution that could have been taken on the part of the semi-truck driver that would have averted these disasters - and maybe even saved a life.

Continue reading "Texas 18 Wheeler Accidents" »

There's drinking and driving and then there's drinking and driving. Of course, many believe that too often a person who is convicted of a DWI gets off way too leniently. But the following story takes the cake. A recent news report recounts that a Conroe man was just sentenced to 99 years in prison for his 16th DWI conviction.

Now, the reader surely has to wonder - as do I - how someone could have that many convictions without having already served some serious jail time and also was provided addiction help or something.

But cursory research on the subject turned up little other information except that the driver himself admitted that he was drunk nearly every time he got behind the wheel of his care and he really didn't give much thought to the health and welfare of other drivers on the road.

Video of the arrest shows that the man clearly was unable to execute the moves required in a sobriety test and the only way to describe the tv segment is to call it 'sobering' - for other drivers that is because it would seem that there's no way this guy was ever sober.

It is painful to watch for those of us who take our responsibility of driving safely to heart. It is chilling to realize that there are others on the road that have so little regard for their fellow human beings (children included) that they would show gross negligence and disregard for their own behavior while endangering the rest of us.

And, really, how in the bloody hell did this guy slip through the justice system so many times - and is it nothing short of a miracle that he caused no harm to others?

Finally, the man is eligible for parole in ten to fifteen years - let's just hope those in charge can count to sixteen and they realize that represents the number of times the justice system dropped the ball.

Continue reading "16 DWIs Enough?" »

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" »

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 " »

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" »