Home » Law and Legal Articles » Collisions With 18-Wheelers Often Prove Fatal
Collisions With 18-Wheelers Often Prove Fatal
Earlier this year, a Bastrop, Texas, 24-year-old was killed when his SUV collided with an oncoming 18-wheeler on State highway 31. His death illustrates an alarming fact: big truck accidents are deadly.
September 15, 2011 /Law and Legal PR News/ -- In February of this year, 24-year-old Andrew Eugene Thames of Bastrop, Texas, was killed when he lost control of his SUV on State highway 31. According to Athensreview.com., Thames crossed the center line and slid into the path of an oncoming 18-wheeler. His death illustrates an alarming fact: it's more likely than not that collisions with these big trucks are likely to be fatal.
The crash occurred at 2:40 a.m. near Murchison, crushing the SUV and leaving both vehicles engulfed in flames. Thames was pronounced dead at the scene, while the semi-truck's driver, 45-year-old James Anthony Galetka, of Ennis, escaped without injury.
The size and weight disparity between a big rig and a typical auto means that car drivers face considerably higher risks of injury or death when collisions occur. In addition to the sheer size of an 18-wheeler, some Texas truck accident attorneys say several other factors contribute to big rig accidents including:
- Driver Fatigue: Over-the-road truckers often combat fatigue to make time and meet delivery schedules. Since drivers are generally paid by the mile, some drivers resort to keeping false driving records to circumvent state and federal safety laws limiting their road time. While long hours increase the chance of falling asleep at the wheel, fatigue also slows reaction time when road hazards appear.
- Negligent Truck Maintenance: Semi tractor trailers require specialized mechanics to handle routine maintenance, repairs and inspections. However, heavy workloads and rushed scheduling sometimes cause mechanics to miss a maintenance problem. This enhances risk for the drivers and for those that share the road with their trucks.
- Improper Driver Training: Intensive training, special licensing and drug testing is mandatory before a driver is qualified to operate an 18-wheeler. But careful safety regulations cannot stop the few drivers who choose to operate without the proper licensing, training or drug testing results. They are major safety violators.
Due to the deadly nature of these types of accidents, Texas truck accident attorneys advise those injured to learn about any and all available options under the law.
Article provided by Weinstein Law
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