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Truck Accident Lawyer: Common Causes of Truck Crashes and How To Avoid Them
More than 500,000 truck accidents take place in the U.S. each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. About 20,000 of these occur in Texas, while nearly 1,000 happen in New Mexico. If an 18-wheeler ever hits you, one of the first things you should do is contact a truck accident lawyer.
You should also attempt to steer clear of truck accidents by learning their causes and determining what steps you can take to avoid them. Discover more about truck accidents below, and be sure to contact a truck collision attorney if you’re ever involved in one.
What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published its first Large Truck Crash Causation Study at the turn of the century. The FMCSA has published similar studies since then. Although the statistics in each one have differed, they’ve suggested that many common causes of truck accidents have remained the same over the last 20-plus years.
Here are the most common denominators for truck accidents in Texas and New Mexico:
- Driver error
- Fatigue
- Speeding
- Equipment failure
- Poor weather conditions
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
Distracted driving has also become a big problem for truck drivers. Truckers are often distracted by everything from their smartphones to their GPS systems. This can put them and other drivers in harm’s way.
How Can You Avoid Truck Accidents?
Passing a truck on the highway in Texas or New Mexico is stressful. If you linger next to a truck for too long, there is a chance a truck driver might not see you. They could inadvertently sideswipe you, damage your vehicle, and cause injuries.
For this reason, pass trucks as quickly as you can to avoid being involved in a truck accident and having to call on a semi-truck accident lawyer for help. You should also take the following steps to maintain your safety when driving near trucks:
- Familiarize yourself with a truck driver’s blind spots and stay out of them.
- Prepare for trucks to make wider turns than passenger vehicles.
- Use your turn signals when driving in the general vicinity of trucks.
- Give trucks more than enough space at all times.
- Slow down when driving near trucks in adverse weather conditions.
Above all else, stay alert when driving on the same roads as trucks to minimize the chances of truck-related accidents and help you avoid the need for a big rig crash attorney for assistance.
What Should You Do If You’re Involved in a Truck Accident?
No matter how hard you work to avoid truck accidents, there isn’t any way to 100% prevent them. All it takes is one tiny mistake by a truck driver to run into your car.
If you’re involved in a truck accident, take the right steps to bounce back. Here’s how to respond:
- Call 911.
- Seek medical treatment.
- Gather evidence (smartphone photos, medical records, eyewitness statements, etc.).
- Find a reputable truck accident lawyer.
- Pursue legal action, if possible.
By enlisting the services of an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer, you can potentially put yourself in a position to collect compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other truck accident costs.
Touch Base With Us To Begin Working With a Truck Accident Lawyer
Could you benefit from sitting down with a commercial vehicle accident attorney to discuss your truck crash case? Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway, P.C. can provide the truck accident lawyer you need. Contact us at 800-433-2408 to begin working closely with a truck injury lawyer today.