Tractor trailers are involved in a higher proportion of traffic accidents than cars and other types of vehicles are. And a higher percentage of tractor-trailer accidents involve multiple vehicles. The fundamental safety concern with high speed tractor-trailer accidents on Texas highways is the weight disparity between tractor trailers and other vehicles. When an 80,000-pound tractor trailer collides with a 4,000-pound automobile at 60 miles per hour, the occupants of the lighter vehicle almost inevitably suffer the brunt of the injuries.
At Arnold & Itkin LLP, our experienced tractor trailer attorneys are committed to seeing that truckers and trucking companies are held accountable for the accidents and injuries that they cause. Our tractor-trailer accident lawyers have a distinguished record of success in helping victims of truck accidents secure the compensation they deserve. We obtained more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients in 2009. If you have been seriously injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Texas, turn to the experienced Texas truck accident law firm of Arnold & Itkin LLP.
Contact a Texas accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling 877-398-4972 or by using our online contact form. We represent tractor-trailer accident victims across Texas, including in Houston, Harris County, San Antonio and Fort Worth. We’ll put our truck accident experience to work for you.
The size and weight of tractor trailers mean they handle much differently than a passenger car or pickup truck. One of the primary differences is an 18-wheeler’s braking ability. An automobile traveling 65 miles per hour requires about 165 feet to stop. By comparison, a tractor trailer traveling the same speed needs 420 feet to stop—more than twice the distance.
A tractor trailer also has gaping blind spots — even on the truck’s front passenger side — that can be hard for an automobile driver to imagine. The blind spots make it difficult for a truck driver to see cars on either side of the tractor trailer, behind the truck or on the front passenger side. That’s one reason you should never attempt to pass a big truck on the truck’s right side -- the trucker may not see your car beside them and may pull over on top of you, causing a serious injury collision.
Tractor trailers have a higher center of gravity than passenger vehicles. They lean more in turns and are more prone to roll over, particularly when on a steep grade or if cargo suddenly shifts. If a tanker truck rounds a curve too fast, the sudden shift of fuel or other liquid cargo in the cargo tanker can cause the truck to turn over and cause a catastrophic fire and burn injuries. Rollovers also can occur if a tire goes off the highway shoulder and the truck driver tries to turn the truck back onto the road.
Truck Driver Error
Commercial truck drivers must have special training and a commercial driver’s license to operate a tractor trailer or semi. Truck drivers are, by and large, skilled professionals. But even a momentary lapse of attention when operating a big rig weighing 80,000 pounds and moving 65 miles per hour can cause a serious accident with injuries and fatalities. Distractions such as looking at a GPS navigation system or talking on a cell phone can cause a tractor-trailer accident. Other truck driver errors such as speeding, driving too fast for conditions, swerving, following too close or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can have serious consequences.
Fatigue is another oft-cited factor in tractor-trailer accidents. Truck drivers pose a safety risk if they operate a vehicle while dangerously fatigued. That’s why federal laws put daily and weekly limits on the number of hours a commercial truck driver can drive a tractor trailer. But truckers may feel pressure to keep driving past the point of fatigue to meet an unreasonable delivery deadline or make up for lost time if they’ve run into bad weather. Dangerous fatigue can turn into a deadly tractor-trailer accident.
Passenger Vehicle Driver Mistakes
Drivers of passenger vehicles can make driving errors that lead to a tractor-trailer accident as well. Among the common driving mistakes are driving in a tractor trailer’s blind spot, moving in front of a tractor trailer and causing it to brake quickly, riding in a big truck’s blind spot or “no zone,” and failing to exercise proper caution around a truck making a turn.
Contact Us
The tractor-trailer accident lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP, based in Houston, represent victims of truck accidents in Texas and nationwide. We are skilled trial lawyers and aggressive advocates for victims of semi accidents. We have successfully handled cases involving speeding, driver error, aggressive driving, negligent maintenance and issues of corporate responsibility in commercial vehicle accidents of all types. We have stood up to some of the largest trucking companies in the United States on behalf of clients. We have obtained many successful verdicts and settlements for truck accident victims and their families.
We’re prepared to take a stand against trucking companies to secure a fair settlement that recognizes the severity of your injuries and the disruption to your family. We have extensive experience handling Texas commercial motor vehicle accidents and a track record of success to prove it. Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation by calling (866) 222-2606 or by using our online contact form.
