Why Should Drivers Be Cautious Near Tractor-Trailers?

Commercial truckers usually have more experience than the typical driver, and many of them undergo comprehensive training to avoid accidents. Unfortunately, a minor oversight behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer can have deadly consequences.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, trucks that weigh more than 26,000 pounds were involved in 85 percent of all fatal truck accidents. This is a disproportionately high percentage because an impact with an 18-wheeler is more likely to kill someone than a collision with a light truck.

If you were injured by a negligent truck driver in Texas, contact the Cooper Law Firm. A personal-injury lawyer in Longview will help you claim compensation for health-care expenses, lost income and non-economic damages.

Truck accident attorney N. Eric 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 visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about truck accident injury lawsuits in Texas.

Dangers of Large Trucks

Commercial trucks are taller and heavier than passenger vehicles, so they handle much differently. Tractor-trailers require a longer braking distance to stop, and they have larger blind spots. 18-wheelers are also prone to rollovers due to their high center of gravity, and they do not have the agility to avoid unexpected hazards on the road.

Next time you drive on a highway, remember these four dangers of large trucks:

1. Tractor-Trailers Are Incredibly Heavy: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety warns that a large truck can weigh 20 to 30 times as much as a passenger car – and this means no matter how a crash occurs, the occupants in the lighter passenger car will probably suffer the worst of the impact.

2. Large Trucks Are Prone to Rollovers: Due to their high center of gravity, commercial trucks are more likely than passenger cars to roll over. You should be cautious when driving near large trucks at a high speed on a windy day – especially on a curvy road.

3. Some Trucks Carry Dangerous Cargo: In the event of an accident, a truck’s cargo can become dislodged and spill across the road, leading to subsequent wrecks and injuries.

4. Truck Drivers Are Prone to Fatigue: Commercial truckers spend long hours on the road – often through the night and at times when they would normally sleep. As such, fatigue is a common problem in this industry. Keep your distance from truckers that show signs of drowsiness such as swerving, driving much slower or faster than the speed limit, stopping well before or after a stop line, or almost hitting another vehicle or object in the road.

If you were injured in a truck accident that another driver caused, contact the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is a Longview personal-injury lawyer who will help you fight for the maximum settlement. If your case goes to trial, Mr. Cooper has the litigation experience to represent your interests in court. Call 903-297-0037 today to schedule a consultation.