5 Tips to Help Truck and SUV Drivers Prevent Rollovers

The numbers don’t lie: Rollovers are the deadliest type of truck accident. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than half of commercial truckers who died while driving in 2014 were involved in a rollover crash.

Commercial motor vehicles and SUVs have higher centers of gravity than smaller sedans. As such, they are more likely to overturn – especially when cornering at a high speed. Semi trucks that tow trailers are also at a higher risk of rolling.

Although commercial drivers are among the most experienced motorists on the road, they are not immune to accidents. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 95,000 people sustained injuries in truck wrecks in 2013. More than 3,900 victims died in those crashes, 71 percent of whom were occupants of passenger vehicles.

If you were injured in a truck collision that another driver caused, turn to the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is a personal-injury attorney in Van Zandt who will help you claim compensation for medical bills, lost income and non-economic damages.

Mr. Cooper is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association. He helps injured clients throughout east Texas.

Call 903-297-0037 today to schedule a free consultation. You can also visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about truck accident injury lawsuits in Texas.

Common Causes of Rollover Accidents – and How to Avoid Them

There are countless reasons why a truck might roll over, but according to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, these four factors are behind most CMV rollover crashes:

1. Driver errors such as speeding or losing control;
2. Driver distractions such as cell phone use;
3. Over-steering; and
4. Improper loading.

Fortunately, there are steps that truckers can take to reduce their risk:

1. Reduce your speed when driving in wet weather and when cornering;
2. Avoid distractions;
3. Perform a pre-departure vehicle inspection to ensure your tires and other parts are road ready;
4. Learn about the vehicle you are driving – the truck design, height and weight will affect its handling; and
5. Make sure you load the trailer securely.

Although these five tips will help you avoid rollover accidents, there are several causes of truck crashes, and commercial drivers must be familiar with all of them. Common errors that lead to CMV wrecks include:

• Drowsy driving;
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Failure to survey blind spots;
• Driving too fast for the conditions; and
• Depowering the front brakes.

If you were injured due to another driver’s negligence in Texas, contact N. Eric Cooper. As your accident lawyer in Van Zandt, Mr. Cooper will help you avoid mistakes such as overlooking certain damages, accepting a low settlement, signing a general release, making a recorded statement or unknowingly admitting fault to insurance adjusters. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation.