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    Euless Commercial Drivers Truck Accident Lawyer

    Euless Commercial Drivers Truck Accident Lawyer

    Commercial drivers are an important part of the economy in Euless, TX. Each day, commercial drivers operate large trucks and other vehicles across city streets and highways. They transport retail goods, raw materials, agricultural products, equipment, and other cargo to homes and businesses across the Lone Star State. Without commercial drivers, the economy would struggle.

    Unfortunately, as companies employ more commercial drivers to meet demand, more commercial drivers are involved in car and truck accidents. In 2018 alone, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that large trucks operated by commercial drivers were involved in over 4100 fatal accidents.

    Even when a commercial truck driver accident isn’t fatal, the aftermath can still be catastrophic for victims and their families. Victims often suffer debilitating, lifelong injuries. That’s why it’s important to explore your legal options after an accident with a commercial driver. You may be eligible for a settlement from the driver. In some cases, their employer may also be liable for the accident.

    Call (469) 998-4069 now to make an appointment for a free consultation with a Euless, TX truck accident lawyer. Our legal team is standing by. Consultations are 100% free and confidential. If we don’t help you win your case, you won’t pay for our services.

    The Danger of Commercial Driver Accidents

    All traffic accidents are potentially dangerous. Even a minor “fender bender” in a parking lot can lead to injuries like whiplash. However, commercial driver accidents are among the most severe types of accidents. This is because commercial drivers usually operate large vehicles like delivery vans, trucks, and tractor-trailers.

    When you’re involved in an automobile crash, the impact force is a significant factor. This is the amount of force that hits your car when the other vehicle smashes into you. To calculate impact force, multiply the weight of a vehicle by its speed.

    Consider an accident involving another car. The average sedan weighs around 3500 pounds. At a speed of 35mph, the impact force in an accident with this car is 122,500 Newtons (units of force).

    Now imagine the same accident involving a commercial driver in a tractor-trailer. Tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. At the same speed (35mph), the commercial driver’s truck delivers 2,800,000 Newtons of impact force. That’s over 22 times as powerful as the same accident involving a sedan.

    In a commercial truck driver accident, most injuries and deaths occur among the passengers of the other vehicle. A small car can’t withstand the impact of a huge truck, even when the truck isn’t traveling at high speeds. Victims who survive these accidents often suffer from the following injuries:

    • Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
    • Neck injuries, including whiplash and severe spinal cord injuries
    • Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
    • Cuts, burns, bruises, and broken bones
    • PTSD and other mental health issues

    Common Causes of Commercial Driver Accidents

    Many factors can contribute to accidents involving commercial drivers. Often, the large size and unique engineering of a truck makes it more vulnerable to accidents. In other cases, external problems or human error lead to a collision. There are some accidents where the commercial driver may not be at fault, but their employer is. Occasionally, the city or county may be responsible as well.

    To help understand liability in a commercial driver accident, consider some of the common causes of these incidents:

    Blind Spots

    Commercial trucks have large blind spots. Depending on the size of the vehicle, a commercial driver at the wheel of a big rig cannot see 20 feet in front of the cab, 30 feet behind the trailer, one lane to their immediate left, and two lanes to their right.

    When a car lingers in the truck driver’s blind spot, they may be struck when the truck driver changes lanes. This can also cause an accident when the commercial truck driver swerves to try to avoid hitting them. Blind spots can cause multi-car collisions, as well as rollover accidents.

    Stopping Distance

    As a result of their size and weight, large trucks have a lot of momentum. It takes a commercial driver 20-40% longer to stop their vehicle than drivers of a normal car. This can be the length of three football fields.

    Due to this long stopping distance, commercial truck drivers can cause accidents if there’s a hazard in the road and they don’t have enough time to brake safely. If the commercial driver stops too quickly, they can lose control of their truck.

    Mechanical Failure

    Long-haul truck driving takes a toll on vehicles. That’s why commercial trucks need regular maintenance and safety inspections. If a trucking company cuts corners and doesn’t perform regular repairs, the truck may experience mechanical problems that cause an accident.

    This could include brake failure, steering issues, engine problems, or mechanical issues that affect the truck’s cargo. When mechanical failure causes a commercial driver truck accident, the driver’s employer may be legally responsible.

    Hazardous Road Conditions

    Extreme weather and hazardous road conditions like potholes or loose gravel result in unsafe driving conditions. If there’s fog, rain, snow, or problems in the road that affect the commercial driver’s ability to control their truck, it can lead to a serious collision.

    Whenever possible, avoid driving long distances during bad weather. If you encounter hazardous road conditions and you’re driving near a large truck, give the commercial driver plenty of space. This may save you from an accident.

    Inhibited Driving

    Finally, commercial drivers may cause an accident due to inhibitions. They may be fatigued, distracted, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Each of these inhibitions affect the driver’s judgment, response time, and ability to control their truck. When inhibitions cause an accident, the driver is responsible.

    What to Do After a Commercial Driver Accident

    If you’re involved in a truck accident with a commercial driver, call our Euless, TX law firm at (469) 998-4069 to discuss your options. Our lawyers can help. Consultations are 100% free and confidential.

    Call (214) 305-8277 for your free consultation.
    Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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