18 WHEELER TRUCK DANGERS

Truck drivers, by law, keep logs that chronologically list when they drive, when they rest and when they stop. The United States has laws that limit the amount of driving a commercial truck driver can do in one day. If laws relating to logs were regularly followed, our roads would be much, much safer and there would be far fewer 18 wheeler truck accidents.

Fatigue

Trucking companies try to save money and time by pushing their truck drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines. These deadlines don't factor in traffic, construction and road conditions that may delay the trucks from getting to their destinations on time. All this does, is add additional pressure on the drivers. Logs are falsified, the drivers themselves don't get the necessary sleep and speed limits are broken. These factors add up to dangerous conditions, causing truck-accidents and wrecks. When you consider an 80,000 lbs., 70-80 ft., tractor-trailer speeding down a highway at unsafe speeds with a fatigued trucker, the risk of injury or death is obvious. In a recent survey, almost 20% of truck drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the previous three months.

Speed

18 Wheeler trucking companies do improve safety when they use governors on their trucks that limit speed. A speeding 18 wheeler truck is an accident or wreck waiting to happen. Unfortunately, some companies are now manufacturing devices that bypass the truck's governor and allow the driver to reach excessive speeds, only increasing the chance for a catastrophic trucking accident.

Devices, such as this one, bypass the truck's governor, allowing excessive speed, increasing the chances for danger.

"This thing's great. Only took half hour to do permanent installation"
"Now my truck flies! I'm grossing 120,000 lb at 80mph!!"
- quotes from web site of speed governor disabling device

Driver Distractions

Most trucking companies provide their drivers with communication devices that explain their routes, stops and next loads. These laptop-like devices are manufactured to only work when the truck is in park, however lawsuits are proving that these devices can be modified to work while the truck is driving. These devices, along with cell phones are huge distractions and can lead to injury or death in an accident. All trucking companies have the ability to determine whether their drivers are using these devices while driving and eliminate the risk of a truck wreck caused by this distraction.

Stopping Distances

We've all seen tests that show automobiles at high speeds and how long they take to stop. Loaded 18 wheeler trucks take 40% longer to stop than an automobile. Although 18 wheeler trucks have 18 wheels, they only have 10 brakes, not eighteen. Newer trucks are required to have anti-lock brakes. This doesn't account for the thousands on the road that do not have them. These brakes must be kept in adjustment or they will not work leading to truck wreck.

18 Wheeler Truck Accidents in Texas

Texas has the largest amount of trucking traffic and truck accidents in the United States. Highways that pass through Texas are key to traffic going not just coast to coast, but also to and from Mexico. Border cities account for millions of truck crossings each year and billions of dollars in imported goods from Mexico to the US.

Every year, thousands of 18 wheeler truck accidents occur in the United States. Statistics have shown that there is an 18 wheeler truck accident every 16 minutes in the United States.

Contact A Truck Accident Attorney

If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. A truck accident lawyer can help quickly preserve evidence to determine if one of the above trucking dangers caused the wreck involving you or a loved one. Those who have questions or who may have been injured in an 18 Wheeler-related collision should contact the attorneys at Miller, Curtis and Weisbrod for further information or click here for a free case assessment