5 Ways Truck Drivers Can Avoid Accidents over the Holidays

Commercial trucking is one of the top 10 deadliest industries in the United States. Although truck drivers face scores of hazards on the road every day, the holiday period is a particularly dangerous time to get behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer.

Texas sees its fair share of cold days in December, and all it takes is one night of below-freezing temperatures to make the roads slick. Also, holidaymakers flood the highways to visit distant loved ones. Combine these hazards with an increase in drunk driving, and it’s easy to understand why truckers get nervous around the holidays.

Fortunately, there are steps that CMV drivers can take to reduce their risk of crashing over the Christmas period:

1. Be patient;
2. Avoid distracted driving;
3. Check your blind spots before changing lanes;
4. Take breaks; and
5. Do not speed.

If your holiday season is ruined by an unexpected truck crash in Texas, contact the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is a truck accident attorney in Tyler who will help you claim the maximum compensation for health-care bills, lost income and non-economic damages.

Mr. Cooper is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also learn more about truck accident injury claims in Texas by visiting the USAttorneys website.

5 Ways Truck Drivers Can Avoid Accidents over the Holidays

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 342,000 large trucks were involved in crashes in 2013. These crashes caused 95,000 serious injuries and 3,964 deaths.

Just like every other driver, commercial truckers have a duty to behave in a way that does not put other road users at risk. If a trucker breaches this duty of care, then he or she may be liable for any injuries that result.

If you drive an 18-wheeler, you can reduce your risk of crashing by following these five safety tips:

1. Be Patient: You may run into congested holiday traffic, and you might fall behind schedule due to adverse weather. Do not let your production schedule cause you to drive recklessly.

2. Avoid Distracted Driving: Texting, eating and drinking, gawking at billboards and adjusting climate controls can all contribute to accidents. According to the American Automobile Association, looking away from the road for just two seconds will double your risk of crashing.

3. Check Your Blind Spots before Changing Lanes: With more drivers on the road, there is a higher risk that a vehicle will be in your blind spot. According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, nearly 10 percent of large truck collisions are same-direction side-swipe accidents.

4. Take Breaks: If you notice the signs of fatigue, pull over to a safe place and rest for at least 20 minutes.

5. Do Not Speed: If the roads are slick, you will require a longer stopping distance. This increases the risk of causing a rear-end accident. You can avoid this by reducing your speed and extending your following distance.

If you are involved in a truck crash over the holidays, contact the Cooper Law Firm. As your truck accident attorney in Tyler, N. Eric Cooper will provide aggressive yet compassionate legal representation. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.