How To Avoid Texas Truck Accidents and What To Do If You’re In One
Car accidents can range from a nuisance to deadly, but truck accidents are much more likely to be seriously dangerous. In 2019, just over 2% of truck accidents in Texas resulted in at least one fatality. In comparison, less than half of 1% of passenger car accidents resulted in death.
Due to their severity, it’s especially important that Texas drivers become familiar with methods to avoid accidents with semi-trucks. It’s also essential that they know how to get the compensation they need if they are involved in such an accident.
Today, your trusted Houston truck accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns, PLLC , will discuss how to avoid Texas truck accidents and what to do if you are involved in one.
Sharing Texas Roadways with Truckers
We’ve all probably had this experience: you’re driving on the highway only to suddenly be surrounded by massive 18-wheelers. These huge vehicles can be frightening to share a road with, but knowing the best ways to drive around trucks can help you stay calm and stay safe:
- Avoid staying in their blind spots, roughly two lanes wide in every direction.
- Pass on the left side at a constant speed, moving over plenty in advance.
- Give warning of turns or stops farther in advance than normal.
- Allow more following distance between you and a large truck.
- Watch for wide turns by not passing a turning truck on either side.
- Be patient with truckers who may have rules regarding their speed.
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- Don’t drive if you are tired, distracted, or under the influence.
- Stay alert when driving around large trucks.
What To Do After a Texas Truck Accident
Generally, you should follow the same steps after a truck accident as you would any other type of crash. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust these suggestions if the situation is more complex, for example, if road rage is involved or power lines have been struck.
- Stay Safe — Unless you are fully out of traffic or your car is on fire, do not leave your vehicle.
- Call 911 — Call for emergency assistance as soon as possible, or ask a bystander to call for you.
- See a Doctor — If you are injured, see a doctor as soon as possible, and ask someone for help with the following steps if you are unable to complete them yourself.
- Help Others — If it is safe and reasonable for you to do so, you may be legally required to help others.
- Gather Evidence — Gather contact and insurance information from the other parties involved, photos of the damage and contributing factors, witness contact information, and notes on your memories of the event.
- Consult an Attorney — While you may not need to hire an attorney, a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you protect your rights to compensation.
While your insurance adjuster might be friendly and caring, their job is to save their company money. Because of this, you will need to be careful not to say anything that could potentially jeopardize your rights to compensation.
Determining Liability After a Truck Accident
Determining who was responsible for an accident involving a large commercial truck can be difficult due to the high number of individuals and entities with control over what happens to and with that truck.
If you’ve been involved in a Texas truck accident, one or all of the following parties could have played a role:
- You
- The trucker
- The carrier company
- The truck loaders
- The truck maintenance crew
- The cargo manufacturers
- The truck manufacturers
- Road maintenance crews and agencies
- Local government officials
Get the Compensation You Deserve With Our Dedicated Texas Truck Accident Attorneys
Even relatively minor truck accidents can result in substantial expenses. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident caused by the actions or negligence of someone else, you deserve compensation for those losses.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Texas, contact the Houston truck accident attorneys of Lapeze & Johns today to discover your legal options.
