18 Wheeler Accidents

18 Wheeler Accidents in Temple

Truck drivers provide essential services when they transport raw materials or finished goods to plants and retail centers.  A fully loaded 18-wheeler can cause an incredible amount of damage when involved in an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recorded more than 70,000 injuries resulted from truck accidents in 2009. Nearly 5% of people involved in 18-wheeler accidents died that same year.

Most truck accidents are the result of driver error. Driver error may include:

• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Distractions
• Inadequate training
  • Illness
  • Speeding
  • Over the counter drug use
  • Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo
  • Lack of familiarity with surroundings

Negligence

Negligence is another major factor in 18-wheeler accidents. Failure to maintain equipment, including brakes and tires, are just one of many types of negligence that companies and rig owners are guilty of. Other areas of negligence include:

• Tired and exhausted drivers – fatigue is a big factor in 18-wheeler accidents. Truck drivers often do not get the rest they need or that is required under the law. In fact, truck drivers are limited to eleven cumulative hours of driving in a fourteen hour period followed by a rest period of no less than ten consecutive hours. They are also prohibited from working more than seventy hours within eight consecutive days. Many truckers disregard that law to get their load in on time, or to earn added bonuses for getting the load in early. This carelessness often leads to accidents, and in most cases, other people are the victim of this negligence.
• Negligent driver – a negligent driver is often a distracted driver; they use their cell phone, text while driving, playing with the radio or GPS or reading a map. They can also be distracted by pets or passengers in the truck cab and their full attention is not on the task at hand – getting the truck from point A to point B safely. Driving too fast for road conditions or in bad weather is also a form of negligent driving.
• Intoxication – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offense and often leads to poor judgment and accidents.
• Failure to maintain equipment – failure to maintain equipment, including inoperable horns, brakes and tires, can result in malfunctions and blow-outs, and the inability to stop safely. As a result, 29% of all 18-wheeler accidents result from faulty brakes and their failure.

Call Zinda Law Group Today

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an 18-wheeler accident, you need an experienced attorney. One who has experience dealing with these types of accidents. One who is good at getting the just compensation that you deserve. The attorneys at Zinda Law Group have the experience and expertise that you need. Call us today to speak with one of our attorneys. The call is free and we don’t get paid unless you get paid. So call us today at (800) 863-5312 and let us help you get the compensation that you deserve.