Texas Truck Accident Lawyers Houston Lawyers for Victims of Big Rig Accidents
When semi tractor-trailers and other large trucks collide with smaller passenger vehicles, the passenger vehicles lose almost every time. While most truck drivers are highly skilled professionals who take a lot of pride in what they do, many big trucking companies force their drivers to work past their safe hours-of-service. Drivers often work fatigued and drive long past when they should have pulled over to rest. When companies put profits above public safety, there can be tragic consequences.
The Oweyssi Law Firm is committed to fighting to get justice for injured victims of trucking accidents throughout Houston, Texas and the surrounding suburbs.
Reasons for Trucking Accidents
Most accidents are not really ‘accidents’ at all. Most truck crashes are completely preventable, but negligent drivers and companies often cut corners to make more money. Here are just a few examples of the typical causes of serious or deadly trucking accidents:
- Driver fatigue: When drivers are exhausted, they can start to doze off, and this can prove deadly when operating an 80,000-pound combination vehicle.
- Alcohol or drug impairment (including prescriptions): Many drivers do not think they are breaking the law or creating a danger just by taking a prescription pill, but something as simple as a drug reaction or the way it reacts with another medication can created severe drowsiness.
- Driver inexperience: Many companies hire and train new drivers, putting them on the road with little or no supervision.
- Distracted driving: While it is seriously prohibited by almost all respectable trucking companies, a lot of truck drivers still use handheld devices for texting or phone calls when driving.
- Speeding: Although many big rigs use speed regulators, some do not. It can take a semi tractor-trailer up to 20-40 times longer to stop than a car, and this is even worse when speeding.
- Hours-of-service violations: Federal motor carrier laws required drivers to not drive more than 11 hours within a 14-hour work period. Unfortunately, companies and dispatchers often create policies that make it difficult for drivers to make a living unless they violate these rules. When they do, it causes unnecessary fatigue and risks to the public.
- Poorly or inadequately maintained trucks, trailers, and equipment: Inexperienced or simply careless operators sometimes cut corners when shifting rear tandems or when strapping loads. Simple, yet careless mistakes can be fatal. The same goes for bad air brakes or defective trailer tires, which are among many of the common examples.
- Backing up accidents: A lot of serious injuries are caused simply because a driver is unwilling to take the time to get out of the truck to check for hazards before backing up.
- Blind spot and turning accidents: Big trucks have big blind spots. These are areas around the truck where the driver just can not see. Experienced professional truck drivers know how to operate safely despite blind spots. Careless drivers often become overconfident, leading to serious accidents.
Call an Experience Attorney About Your Truck Accident
Whether you have been hurt by a negligent truck driver or someone you love has been injured or killed in a big rig crash, The Oweyssi Law Firm will fight to get you justice. You deserve to be compensated for your losses and injuries. Do not trust the trucking company to volunteer to help. You need your own personal attorney who can work with you to make sure you are treated fairly. Call or visit The Oweyssi Law Firm online to schedule a free consultation today.
