Do you get nervous when you’re driving on a busy Texas highway and tractor-trailers are soaring past you? If so, you’re definitely not alone in your unrest; in fact, some drivers say they’re utterly terrified of these big rigs and will often take alternate routes if it means they can avoid them. Although many tractor-trailer drivers adhere to the strict regulations that govern the commercial operations of such vehicles, it’s the ones who don’t that place you at greatest risk for injury.
It’s not uncommon for big rig collisions to result in fatalities. If you survive a crash with one of these massive machines, your injuries may be so severe that your life will never be the same. Sometimes, if you know the risks ahead of time, it can help prepare you to react quickly enough to avoid disaster.
Beware the issues that often lead to tractor-trailer accidents
Big-rig accidents aren’t always caused by poor operator skills (although that may indeed be a factor in many incidents). The following list provides information regarding some of most common causes of commercial truck collisions:
- Lack of proper vehicle maintenance: Sometimes, the main issue that leads to a collision has to do with the way the truck operator takes care of the vehicle. If you’re driving thousands of miles every day, you no doubt want to check your vehicle before every use. Failure to address issues, such as worn brake pads, improper air pressure in tires or other significant factors may have fatal consequences.
- Hauling inappropriate loads: There are very stringent regulations regarding the type of cargo a particular tractor-trailer may haul as well as weight and size rules. Empty trailers tend to sway a lot in even the slightest winds. If a truck operator is negligent, a load may fall off a truck or cause a truck to jack-knife, resulting in a catastrophic situation.
- Sleepy drivers: The saying that time is money typically resonates with most tractor-trailer drivers, which often leads to truckers staying on the road a lot longer than they should without rest. Driver fatigue is a main causal factor of many big rig collisions.
- Poor weather conditions: If you witness a truck driver failing to adjust speed when weather is inclement, you may want to create as much distance between you as is safely possible. Driving too fast on wet or icy roads is often a sure recipe for disaster.
Many tractor-trailer accidents result in severe brain injuries, neck and back problems, and other suffering that may have life-long consequences. If you’re injured in a crash involving a commercial vehicle, you may be completely unprepared to meet the expenses associated with the incident. Texas residents often reach out for support in such circumstances to formally seek recovery for their losses in court.