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Christopher Johns • December 9, 2021

Driver Dies After Big Rig Starts On Fire

The driver of an 18-wheeler was killed when his big rig started on fire after a crash. The fiery crash occurred on Friday, December 3rd, in Houston. According to investigators, the driver drifted off the freeway and slammed into the retaining wall.

It is unclear why the driver drifted off the road.

The Fiery Crash

An 18-wheeler caught fire after a crash around 5:30 a.m. on Hardy Toll Road. The Harris County Constables Office responded to the crash soon after.

When the deputies arrived on the scene, the cab of the big rig was engulfed in flames. The driver of the big rig was trapped inside the cab and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to investigators, the big rig drifted onto the shoulder and slammed into the retaining wall. It is unclear what caused the driver to drift off the freeway before the crash.

The Aldine firefighters recovered the victim’s body from the scene.

Precinct 1 stated that part of the trailer was burned, but they are unsure what the big rig was transporting inside.

The tollway was shut down for about five hours while crews worked to clear the scene.

What Are the Common Causes of Big Rig Accidents?

Driving in a regular passenger vehicle comes with its own set of challenges. You’re dealing with heavy traffic, high speeds, inclement weather, construction zones, and more.

However, all of these challenges are amplified when driving a big rig.

Big rig drivers have to practice extra caution due to the size of the vehicles they are driving. They must navigate the changes in the road and drive safely next to other passenger vehicles.

Some common causes of big rig crashes include:

    • Inclement weather
    • Construction zones
    • Fatigue
    • Inexperience driving
    • Faulty equipment
    • Distracted driving
    • Speeding
    • Tailgating
    • Overloaded trucks

Because there are many factors that could cause a big rig to crash, it’s important to be aware of the big rigs around you on the road. Although the drivers of big rigs have a responsibility to practice safe and cautious driving, there are some ways you can help:

    • Keep a safe distance between large trucks — Stay about 200+ feet behind large trucks.
    • Avoid the driver’s blind spots — Blind spots include the rear of the truck, the sides of the truck near the cab, the right door of the cab, and directly in front of the truck.
    • Give plenty of space during lane changes — Signal your lane changes and give the truck plenty of space before passing in front of them.
    • Don’t drive between two large trucks — Driving between two large trucks can be dangerous because of the blind spots and the potential for hazardous weather conditions.
    • Pay attention to road conditions — Pay attention to hazards on the road that may affect how the big rig is driving.

It’s always important to stay safe and vigilant on the road, but take extra precautions when driving next to a big rig.

Reach out to your Houston car accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns for help with your legal claim.

SOURCE : KHOU11

 

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