Texas has the highest percentage of pedestrian fatalities each year of the U.S. states, and a large proportion of the victims are children. Each year, Texas accounts for around 40% of U.S. pedestrian fatalities, even though our state only accounts for between 5% and 10% of all accident fatalities. In addition to the about 4,000 pedestrian fatalities each year, there are tens of thousands of serious injuries that can leave permanent disabilities and financially ruin families.
Many of the pedestrian fatalities among young children happen in parking lots and driveways, where children are ordinarily thought to be safe from traffic. But these accidents often occur when children get into vehicle “blind spots” and get run over when drivers backing out can’t see them.
A study of passenger vehicles revealed that they had rear “blind spots” that extended from 7 feet in length and could hide a handful of children to 50 feet in length that could hide about 60 children (or two classrooms full). The blind zones for commercial vans, box trucks, and 18-wheelers are even larger. (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/car-safety/car-safety-reviews/mind-that-blind-spot-1005/best-and-worst/0304bli0_best-and-worst-rear-blind-zones.htm)
Of the more than 3,000 fatal truck-related accidents each year in the United States, 35% of these are linked to the truck drivers’ blind spots. When you’re in a truck’s blind spot and the driver doesn’t know you’re there he might accidentally:
Commercial trucks weigh up to 20 times more than a passenger vehicle, and perhaps 1,000 times more than a young child. So it’s no wonder that in truck-related accidents, it’s the pedestrians or occupants of the passenger vehicles that suffer the serious or fatal injuries more than 70% of the time.
Commercial truck drivers are held to a higher safety standard than ordinary passenger vehicle drivers and they usually exceed this standard. But where they fail to exercise proper caution and regard for your safety, they should be held accountable for the high costs of their negligence.
If you or someone you know was injured in a Texas truck-related accident, contact a Board Certified personal injury attorney today that has extensive experience with truck accidents and injuries. By taking legal action without delay, you and your family could recover the monetary damages you need to cover your hospital bills, lost wages, medications, pain and suffering, and much more.
Contact the experienced Board Certified personal injury attorneys at Denena Points, PC for a free, no obligation initial legal consultation to discuss your case and evaluate your eligibility for a full financial recovery. Reach us anytime through our online contact form or contact us direct at 713-807-9500.