Austin Truck And 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer

A variety of factors can cause a semi and tractor-trailer accidents in Travis County. Negligence on the part of trucker can often includes:

 

1. Truck Driver Drowsiness 

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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that the leading cause of large truck accidents is truck driver drowsiness. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that 30% of respondents in their annual Operational Costs survey identified driver fatigue as a critical issue. 

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Truck driver drowsiness is caused by many factors including working long hours, driving at night, and taking medications that cause drowsiness. To combat fatigue, the FMCSA hours-of-service regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can be on duty in a per day (11) or per week (60) hours. However, these regulations are not always followed and tired truck drivers are still getting behind the wheel.

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A truck accident lawyer proving that a driver operated a tractor-trailer rig knowing he had not logged the legally required downtime benefits your lawsuit. Other times the evidence reveals the trucker falsified safety logs or was intoxicated on prescription medication, which contributed in causing the crash.

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2. Impaired Truck Driving 

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It's shocking to think that truckers driving 80,000-pound semis on our local highways can be intoxicated on alcoholic, synthetic opioids, or pain relievers, but it happens. According the latest Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts Report, impaired driving is the second leading driver-related factor in in truck accidents, resulting in thousands of serious collisions each year. 

 

The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for commercial truck drivers is .04%, which is half the limit for non-commercial drivers. Attorneys often hold truck companies liable for not engaging in additional measures to lower to rate of impaired driving, such as submitting truckers to random breath tests, or installing video cameras in trailers. 

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3. Trucks Speeding or Driving Too Fast In Increment Weather

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It seems like every time you get on the highways throughout greater Austin, there's a truck zooming past you, doing at least 10 miles over the speed limit. To make matters worse, According to the FMCSA, the following traffic and weather conditions actually require truck driver to drive significantly below the posted speed limit; 

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• Loaded trailers

• Work zones 

• Gravel roads

• Heavy traffic 

• Uneven roads

• Intersections

• Entering a curve

• Entering exit or entrance ramps

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A recent research study into accident causation found 23 percent of tricks crashed when the trucker was driving too fast during one of the road conditions mentioned above. 

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4. Reckless Driving and Road Rage

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Although truck drivers play a crucial role in our economy, these individuals have become notorious for their bad driving habits and propensity for engaging in road rage. Although and road rage are noted as being a factor in less than one percent of truck accidents, aggressive driving is also tough to detect unless there are witness statements or camera footage. Drivers who are angry or impatient pose significant danger to motorists here in Austin, causing collisions and leading to serious injuries. At the same time, reckless truck drivers can easily cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to their vehicles through unsafe maneuvers such as aggressive lane changes or speeding.

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4. Distracted Driving

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While all drivers are susceptible to distractions, truckers are particularly at risk of. First of all, truckers tend to spend long hours on the road, which can lead to boredom and drivers often reaching for objects, dialing phone numbers, texting, eating, drinking, smoking, or similar. Further, newer tractors are equipped with onboard computers and other devices that can be tempting for drivers to use while behind the wheel. In serious truck accidents, an 18-wheeler accidents attorney should request the electronic data related to any device within the trailer to look for signs of distracted driving. 

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The tonnage of a semi truck is not what makes it dangerous to locals here in Austin, Texas, but when a commercial driver engages in unsafe driving actions, or when a tractor-trailer isn't sufficiently repaired, or when the drivers isn't accustomed to road congestion across Travis County, these big rigs become a threat to us all. Truck drivers and their management companies must diligently work to ensure each tractor trailer abides by all Federal and State safety standards. The drivers must also follow all local traffic rules and regulations.

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5. Other Forms of Distracted Driving

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There are many causes of truck accidents in Austin, but some of the other more prevalent ones include; 

 

• Distracted driving

• Lane departure

• Failure to yield

• Failure to follow traffic signals

• Obscured vision

• Unsafe passing actions

 

In many cases, a combination of these bad decisions and unsafe behaviors lead to truck accidents. If the driver is fatigued or under the influence, it is more likely that he or she will fail to appreciate traffic signals or yield to others. Additionally, if the truck is not properly maintained, such as in when brakes are not working properly, the truck may be unable to stop in time to avoid an accident within an intersection. An knowledgeable truck accident attorney will always examine the damaged 18 wheeler to determine what truck driver actions lead to the crash and what actions could be prevented the collision altogether.