Someone dies in an Austin automobile accident every five days, according to Austin Police Chief Brian Manley. If you follow the local news, you know that the fatalities are often caused by collisions with large trucks. Large trucks are generally 20 to 30 times heavier than passenger vehicles, so these accidents are often fatal. Learn about the common causes of Austin truck accidents, so you can protect yourself on the road.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is one of the biggest causes of Austin truck accidents. Truck drivers are limited to up to 11 hours of consecutive driving. However, it’s not uncommon for drivers to violate this law, so they can reach their destination in time. Driving while tired is similar to driving when intoxicated. Reaction times are much slower when drivers are fatigued. Since it takes large trucks longer to come to a complete stop, the slow reaction time can lead to accidents.
Speeding
Truck drivers are under a lot of pressure to reach their destinations in time. Because of that, some go over the speed limit when they’re running behind. Unfortunately, speeding makes truck drivers more likely to get into an accident. They might come upon a passenger vehicle they didn’t see and crash into it, or they might be unable to stop in time to avoid an accident. Accidents caused by speeding are likely to cause severe, potentially fatal injuries.
Distracted Driving
People in passenger vehicles aren’t the only ones prone to distracted driving. Truck drivers also reach for their phones, play with the radio, and more when they’re on the road. If they aren’t focused on the road, they’re more likely to make a mistake. That mistake could end up causing an accident.
Poor Weather Conditions
It isn’t easy to drive a large truck in rain or snow. Truck drivers must take precautions when driving in poor weather conditions. Failing to adapt to the weather can make stopping difficult and cause drivers to lose control. While drivers cannot prevent poor weather, they can control how they drive in it. Many accident victims collect damages after getting in an accident with a large truck due to bad weather. Lawyers need to prove that the truck driver didn’t take the proper precautions. If they can do that, they can help their clients win damages.
Company Negligence
Truck driving accidents are sometimes out of the driver’s hands. In some cases, the accidents are due to the trucking company’s negligence. Accidents can occur if a trucking company fails to maintain the fleet, hires drivers who lack the experience, or has improper loading protocols. These are just some ways that trucking companies can be negligent.
Protect Your Rights After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents are often the fault of the truck driver or the trucking company. If you’ve been in an accident and someone else was at fault, you can take the steps needed to collect damages.
Begin by hiring an experienced attorney to represent you. Call Steven C. Lee & Associations for a free consultation. His team will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Sources:
https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/large-trucks
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations
Steven C. Lee is a personal injury lawyer in Austin, Texas specializing in truck accidents, car accidents, bicycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, motorcycle accidents, construction site accidents and wrongful death cases.
Steven C. Lee is a member of the Texas Bar, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Texas Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the BBB in Austin, TX. You can view Steven C. Lee’s LinkedIn Profile here.
