Texas has one of the highest car accident rates in the United States. In 2015, a motor-vehicle collision injured one person about every two minutes, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Many of these victims faced financial hardship due to exorbitant medical bills and lost income.
In 2014, there were 3,978 buses and large trucks involved in fatal collisions, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The vast majority of these accidents were caused by driver errors such as speeding, tailgating, or drunk driving.
It should come as no surprise that collisions with tractor-trailers can be devastating. Because of their weight, large trucks can do severe damage to passenger cars, and accidents between the two often result in fatalities.
Heavy loads, unfamiliar roads, poor weather conditions – truck drivers face some challenging work conditions. Although commercial truckers tend to have more experience behind the wheel than other motorists, they are not immune to accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 342,000 trucks were involved in crashes in 2013, leading to 95,000 serious injuries and 3,964 deaths.
Fatal accident rates are on the rise in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, 40,200 people died in motor-vehicle crashes in 2016 – an increase of 6 percent compared to 2015. This is the first time the death tool has passed 40,000 since 2007.
Many people assume that purchasing a new vehicle would be safer than buying a used car – and they are usually correct. However, in 2014 alone, at least 63.9 million vehicles were recalled due to dangerous defects.
After any car accident, it is important to remain calm and think carefully about what you say and do. If you forget to call the police, then medical assistance might not arrive in time to provide life-saving treatment. Also, your statements and actions at the crash scene could impact your ability to recover compensation from the at-fault driver.
Uber and other rideshare companies have revolutionized the commercial transportation industry. Uber offers cheaper rates and more convenience than traditional taxis, and as of July 2016, the rideshare giant had completed more than 2 billion rides. However, with the growing number of Uber drivers and passengers comes an increase in Uber accidents.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas is home to more than 180,000 truck drivers, which means our state has a higher rate of employment in the trucking industry than anywhere else in the country. Unfortunately, with more 18-wheelers on the road comes a higher risk of being involved in a semi-truck accident.
Whether they are pedestrians or passengers in a vehicle, young kids are susceptible to injuries in the event of a car accident. In fact, according to Safe Kids Worldwide, motor-vehicle wrecks are the second-leading cause of death for children between the ages 4 and 10.
Cooper Law Firm
N. Eric Cooper
Mailing: P.O. Box 2222
Longview, TX 75606
Address: 501 N Third St,
Longview, TX 75601
Telephone: (903) 297-0037
Toll-Free: 1-855-297-HURT (4878)
Facsimile: (903) 236-0035
Hours: Open 24/7
JavaScript-