Large Truck crashes unfortunately happen every day in Southeast Texas. The Gulf Freeway is one of the most heavliy populated and heavilt traveled freeways in the U.S. Due to the size and weight of these massive tractor-trailers, the consequences of the wrecks are devastating in terms of fatalities and injuries, and financial costs. According to the Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2005, there were 5,212 fatalities and 91,993 injuries from large truck crashes, and 335 fatalities and 14,283 injuries from bus crashes. The average cost of a large truck crash involving a fatality is $3.6 million per crash. A crash with injuries costs almost $200,000 per crash.
There are many reasons why 18-wheeler accidents are so catastrophic. The pressure for speed and efficiency by the trucking companies and the deregulation of the industry are both major factors – 18-wheeler drivers are typically required to work long hours with little or no sleep. Large trucks consistently break the speed limit in order to deliver goods quickly – adding fuel to an already dangerous fire. The sheer size of an 18-wheeler makes for a massive impact and hinders the ability of the truck to make sudden stops. The results are too often fatal. Below are some of the most common causes of Trucking Wrecks:
The good news is that many crashes are preventable. According to the FMCSA, in 1997, 22% of large truck fatal crashes involving more than one vehicle were speeding-related. In 2003, about 2% of drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) used controlled substances, and 0.2% used alcohol (0.04 or higher blood alcohol content) while performing their duties. 5.5% of fatal truck crashes are caused by driver fatigue. A 2006 study found that only 59% of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers wear safety belts. In 2005, of the 696 CMV drivers who died in truck crashes, 344 were not wearing safety belts. ALL of these statistics show that these truck rashes could have been prevented.
Tony Denena and Chad Points are both Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. That means that they are members of an exclusive group of attorneys who comprise less than 2% of the approzximately 88,000 licensed attorneys in Texas. Visit the Board’s website to learn more about what it takes to become Board Certified. Call today at 877.307.9500 to speak to one of us about your case.