Truck Accident Lawyer Blog : Houston Truck Accident Lawyer & Attorney : Arnold & Itkin Law Firm : 18-wheeler injuries, semi accidents : Texas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso

Driving teachers at a school in Mississippi are catching them young – they were teaching high school students to drive safely around 18-wheelers in order to prevent serious accidents.

Students at Petal High School in Petal, Mississippi received driving education with a twist on the 1st of April. They learned how to drive vigilantly and safely around 18-wheelers in order to reduce the possibility of potentially serious accidents. The program included the participation of experienced 18-wheeler drivers who regularly travel around the community to teach motorists how to drive safely around the massive vehicles.

Driving classes for teens do not normally include tips on how to be safe when sharing the road with big rigs that can reach 53 feet in length and up to 80,000 pounds in weight. Teaching these teens that an 18-wheeler driver may face driving challenges that can impact other vehicles on the road is extremely important. For instance, apart from truck accident lawyers and law enforcement officers, very few adults, let alone teens, know that 18-wheelers have large blind spots that prevent the driver from seeing some vehicles. To drive home that message, three 18-wheelers were set up in the parking lot of the school. Two of the trucks were parked in the blind spot of the other truck. The teens were encouraged to sit in the cab of the third truck and see for themselves how the trucks in the blind spot "disappeared". The students were surprised at how truckers can actually miss seeing even large 18-wheelers in their blind spot. This teaches them to be more careful around tractor trailers.

Truck Accident Safety

It makes more sense to teach teens the right ways of driving around large trucks from the start.  Teen drivers are still learning the rules of the road as they drive; teaching them how to be safe around an 18-wheeler can help them avoid making foolish mistakes, like driving too close behind an 18-wheeler, racing with a large truck, and so on. It can also help them to identify signals an 18-wheeler driver makes to signify he is making a turn or changing lanes, thereby helping avoid accidents.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free evaluation of your case.

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A new bill aims to protect highway travelers from the risk of an 18-wheeler accident by extending existing size and weight restrictions on large trucks to the entire national highway system.

The bill, called the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act of 2009, was introduced by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA-3). It would prevent both interstate highways and national highways from being used by triple trailers, although exemptions would be made for firefighting units and the like.

Currently, size and weight limitations are enforced on interstate highways and states themselves are at liberty to set limits on state governed roads. Truck size and weight restrictions, for most state roads, are a maximum length of 53 ft and a maximum weight of 80,000 pounds. These limits also apply to Interstate Highway Systems which run across 44,000 miles.  If the bill is passed, the ban on trucks that exceed the size and weight limitation would extend to 160,000 miles of highway.

The bill aims to keep heavier 18-wheelers off the road, thereby making roads safer. There are many challenges involved in navigating an 18-wheeler through traffic"

• 18-wheelers suffer from poor maneuverability and stability, and are harder to navigate than smaller vehicles.
• These large trucks require a longer distance to come to a complete stop.
• They have bigger blind spots that impact the driver’s view of vehicles behind him.

In addition to preventing injuries associated with 18-wheeler accidents, the bill would also contribute to better highway maintenance by reducing the number of heavy trucks using the roads. Union workers and 18-wheeler accident lawyers have voiced their support for the bill as it makes traveling safer for all involved.

18-wheeler Safety

It is difficult to maintain and repair existing roadways due to a shortage of funds, a tremendous strain would be added to our transportation infrastructure if larger 18-wheelers were allowed on our roads. If trucking companies had their way, they would introduce larger vehicles that could carry larger loads; never mind the risks of jack knifing and 18-wheeler rollovers. These large trucks are responsible for close to 2.4 deaths for every 100 million vehicle miles. That is a 50% higher rate than smaller vehicle fatalities. The less 18-wheelers we allow on our highways, the lesser the chance of accidents and safer the general motorist population.

If you've been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP to discuss your options for compensation.

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18-wheeler safety experts and truck accident lawyers in Connecticut are full of ideas about how to check rogue truck drivers and prevent accidents involving big rigs. Unfortunately, these ideas will remain just that until the two agencies that supply truck weigh station personnel resolve their issues.

In Connecticut, weigh station operation activities are shared by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and state troopers. There exists an old and strong rivalry between the two agencies, and this, experts say, has come in the way of adopting better technology at weigh stations to screen truck drivers more efficiently and accurately. 

The Connecticut Department of Scientists and Engineering, a group based in Hartford, conducted a study that recommended technological innovations to streamline weigh station operations, cut down time, and trap more rogue truck drivers. Under the existing system, truck drivers are easily able avoid weigh station inspections. Under the proposed system, however, weigh stations would be located at random points to catch more unsuspecting truck drivers. Technological aids would help troopers conduct an inspection more quickly and would help troopers quickly identify an 18-wheeler in need of a more thorough inspection. The group's report also called for a different approach to 18-wheeler safety – focusing more on ensuring truck safety than inspection duty.

Whether these proposals will be acted upon is a moot point, however. Governor Jodi Rell has proposed pulling state troopers off weigh stations and putting them on highway patrol service. The proposal has been axed for now, but the Governor plans to bring the matter up with Democrats soon. According to state officials, the pull back from weigh stations is part of an overall plan to put more troopers on highway patrol service. The DMV criticizes any such move because it infringes on its jurisdiction. This squabbling could mean that truck accident prevention proposals find themselves on the back burner.

18-wheeler Safety

State agencies responsible for highway maintenance need to focus on keeping unsafe trucks and unfit drivers off the highway. Ensuring the safety of motorists on the road should not become victim to inter-department agency rivalries.

If you've been injured in a Connecticut 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP to discuss your options for compensation.

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An investigation conducted by a television station has revealed what 18-wheeler accident lawyers have suspected for years - "tens of thousands" of 18-wheeler drivers continue to drive, despite suffering from serious medical conditions that could impair their driving ability and cause serious accidents.

These medical issues include health conditions you do not want the person at the helm of an 80,000 pound vehicle to have, including:

• sleep disorders
• neurological conditions
• cardiac diseases

The investigation, conducted by Scripps television station, found that the problem is not only serious, but rampant. 

Last year, federal investigators reported that more than 560,000 commercial truck operators were receiving full medical and disability benefits.

Also, last year, another investigation found that medical certificates carried by 18-wheeler drivers are notoriously hard to verify. Drivers are required by law to have a copy of their medical certificate to present as proof they have passed a medical exam. However, in nearly one of every three cases, the doctor whose signature is on the certificate is mysteriously non-existent or, when contacted, the doctor often denies having ever examined the driver.

It is very difficult for overworked inspection officers to verify a certificate, which means that possibly thousands of drivers are able to slip through the cracks with phony medical certificates. Fake certificates are ridiculously easy to obtain. All a driver has to do is download a blank certificate from the internet, fill it out, and sign it himself, and voila! He has a medical certificate that confirms he is fit to drive. This kind of falsification is a serious problem, and one that places drivers of smaller vehicles at risk of injury.  

Several 18-wheeler accidents in recent months have been linked to medically impaired drivers. In Ohio, one 18-wheeler driver had almost 27 prescription drugs stashed in his cab during an accident. In 2007, federal officials estimated that approximately 4,000 18-wheeler accidents between 2001 and 2003 were caused by drivers suffering from heart attacks behind the wheel. The number of drivers who dozed off at the wheel during the same period was 5,000. Sleep apnea; a condition traced to frequent waking up during sleep, resulting in fatigue and sleepiness the next day; is a major factor in 18-wheeler drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

Federal Trucking Regulations

Federal authorities have been taking steps to deal with the problem of phony certificates. A national database, that will record copies of truck drivers' medical certificates, is expected to be in operation by 2012. Unfortunately, that is still 3 years away and, until then, highway safety inspectors have few means of verifying whether the truck driver in front of them is medically fit to be driving or not. That means millions of people will continue to be at risk of accidents and injuries as they share the road with big rigs possibly driven by people suffering from serious heath conditions.

If you or a loved one has suffered from injuries sustained in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free evaluation.

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An 18-wheeler driver in Gray, Georgia recently became the 88th employee in his company's 25-year-old history to complete two million miles of driving without a single accident.

Ken Truman works for Con-Way Freight Company, which currently employs 1,200 drivers. According to management, completing two million miles without being involved in a single accident is a key milestone in the industry. Truman's two million miles is equivalent to traveling to the moon and back 9 times.

Truman, who has been driving since 1998, mentioned several factors that contributed to his impeccable record. As remarkable as his achievement is, it is simply the result of following safe driving practices that 18-wheeler accident lawyers and safety advocates have recommended for years. Truman follows a strict routine before he gets behind the wheel of his big rig to begin work for the day.

• He checks the weather report of his destination.
• He inspects his truck thoroughly. This includes checking the tires, lights, wheels, steering wheel mechanism, and brakes.
• He makes sure that all parts of the 18-wheeler are functioning well and are in perfect condition.
• Once he sets off for the day, Truman drives carefully, regularly checking the movement of other vehicles around him in his mirrors.
• He pays close attention to the speed and actions of vehicles around him. Getting an 18-wheeler to stop or brake takes longer than a passenger vehicle, and so, he is alert to any changes in vehicles nearby.
• He always drives at a speed suitable for traffic and weather conditions.
• He makes it a point to drive a few miles slower than the speed limit because he knows the danger of being in a hurry. Driving under the limit does not slow him down that much, he says, and the end result is a safer road for him and other vehicles sharing the road.
• Truman knows and believes in the value of taking frequent rest and meal breaks to avoid driver fatigue. As he admits, staying alert and awake behind the wheel after driving long hours is the biggest challenge facing a truck driver. He takes a break for meals and rest once he reaches his destination and before be begins the long journey back home.

Trucking Safety

18-wheeler drivers face numerous challenges as they navigate, often, busy traffic on a daily basis. Big rigs are large, bulky and cumbersome, and a driver's job involves seemingly endless hours of driving alone. Even so, as Truman proves, driving in an 18-wheeler can be a safe and smooth experience if drivers make the effort to drive slowly, steadily, and with caution. Ken Truman deserves kudos and we hope more 18-wheeler drivers follow his example. 

If you've been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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As the family of 13-year-old Clarissa Gonzales paid their final respects, San Diego, Texas police continued their investigations into the 18-wheeler accident that killed her.

Clarissa was hit by an 18-wheeler on Highway 44 in San Diego, Texas on the night of February 13th. She, ultimately, died from her injuries. It is still not clear what Clarissa was doing on Highway 44 when she was hit; police are trying to determine if the girl was crossing the road or playing with friends at the time of the accident. It is believed to be more likely that she was walking. Police are looking at a number of possibilities for what caused the accident, including the likelihood that the 18-wheeler driver was not aware that he had hit the young girl. The driver did not remain at the scene of the accident. Police are still making efforts to identify the driver and have reportedly zeroed in on one lead. Accident investigators are also conducting tests on the clothes that Clarissa was wearing at the time of the crash, as they could contain evidence that may help identify the 18-wheeler that struck her. A few witnesses have come forward to provide clues about the identity of the truck.

A pedestrian – 18-wheeler collision is usually fatal for the pedestrian. There is not much that can protect a person walking on the road from the impact of an accident with a tractor trailer. For pedestrians, it is important to be alert at all times and look for vehicles in motion around in the area. If you are walking at night, always wear reflecting clothing and avoid dark or camouflage patterned clothes. Always stick to the sidewalks and cross only on designated crosswalks. If you see a tractor trailer approaching do not attempt to run in front of it. 18-wheelers cannot brake as quickly or slow down at the same speed as passenger cars.

Truck Accident Lawyer

In case of an accident with an 18-wheeler, an injured pedestrian victim can file a personal injury lawsuit. In case of death of the victim, the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that employed the driver. Pedestrians tend to get blamed for such accidents, which is why it is important to have an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney on your side.

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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A Texas couple who escaped a potentially fatal collision with an 18-wheeler last month is calling for tougher restrictions on big rigs driving through North Texas.

The couple, Cindy and Christian Benitez, were traveling in their Toyota Corolla on Interstate 35 in Dallas when their vehicle ended up under a rock-hauling 18-wheeler. The car was almost completely crushed under the tractor trailer. Cindy managed to escape without injuries, but Christian was trapped in the wrecked car for nearly 90 minutes. Emergency teams worked hard to extricate the man who was jammed under the big rig's wheel. Christian made a miraculous escape from the wreckage, but was left with severe injuries. He was treated in the hospital and has since been discharged. He faces extensive rehabilitation therapy and is presently unable to walk. Recovery has been extremely painful for Christian, his wife says. The couple has since filed a truck accident lawsuit against the 18-wheeler driver, who escaped without injuries, as well as the trucking company that operated the 18-wheeler.

The couple is now calling for lawmakers to enforce stricter restrictions on 18-wheeler driving regulations. According to them, the accident occurred when the truck merged into their lane. The Benitez' are demanding that 18-wheelers be required to stay in the right hand lane when driving. Currently, San Antonio, Houston, and Hudson are the only cities in Texas that have such restrictions on 18-wheelers. Trucks in Dallas have no such restrictions. Changing lanes without warning can be disastrous for an 18-wheeler and drivers around them. Because of their elevated position,18-wheeler drivers may not be able to see smaller passenger cars in their blind spot. That's why a truck driver at the helm of one of these large machines is required to make other motorists aware of his intentions of turning, slowing down, or changing lanes.

Truck Accident Claims

Both poor judgment and reckless driving by a truck driver can be cited as examples of driver's negligence, and both the driver and his trucking company can be named by a truck accident lawyer in a lawsuit resulting from such gross negligence.

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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Two different pairs of 18-wheelers were involved in a multi-vehicle accident on a snow covered highway in Utah last week, near the border of Beaver County and Iron County. At least 7 people were hospitalized with injuries and one infant was reportedly killed in the crash.

According to reports, the pile-up was initiated after an 18-wheeler and a car collided. Moments later, another 18-wheeler headed in the same direction crashed into the rear of the first big rig. The accident led to a traffic block and several other accidents were reported. Soon after the initial pile-up, two other 18-wheelers jackknifed behind the vehicles that were already clogging Interstate 15. Utah Highway Patrol has confirmed that one infant was killed in the accident and 7 people were hospitalized with minor injuries.

A major disaster was averted by rescue crews after one of the 18-wheelers involved in the accident began leaking fuel. That truck contained 1,000 gallons of fuel, all of which had to be emptied from the truck before the highway could be reopened. According to Utah Highway Patrol officers, the roads were slick and slippery due to a snow storm earlier that day. Officers are pointing to this as the most likely cause for the accident.

18-wheeler drivers are required to drive, not only according to posted speed limits, but also taking into account the weather and traffic conditions on the road. Snow storms and heavy rains have lashed several parts of the country in recent weeks. These have left wet, slick roads in their wake and have made driving conditions more dangerous for motorists and for. For 18-wheelers, driving slowly and cautiously on slippery road surfaces is extremely important. These large vehicles are prone to jackknifing and, when they lose control on a slippery road, they create dangerous conditions for vehicles around them. During bad weather conditions normal speed limits for 18-wheelers should be ignored and drivers should slow down to ensure they retain control over their vehicles.

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Filing claims for damages in a Utah truck accident or any 18-wheeler accident requires the expertise of a truck accident lawyer who can determine the amount of your claim and get you the resources you need.

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free evaluation of your claim.

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Icy conditions across the country are leading to an increase in auto crashes and 18-wheeler truck accidents. Some of the worst have been reported in places that have seen snow storms and blizzards in recent days, including Texas, New Jersey, Louisiana and Tennessee. Roads slick with ice have caused 18-wheelers to crash into other vehicles, including other tractor trailers, or overturn after skidding across the ice.  Fortunately, few of the accidents that have resulted from the poor weather have ended in fatalities, although several injuries have been reported.

Avoiding Truck Accidents

Driving in winter weather is hard enough, but driving in close proximity to a massive truck in slippery conditions is a whole different ball game. The normal rules of the road simply don’t apply when you're around one of these gigantic machines.  For one thing, when you’re driving either directly in front of or behind an 18-wheeler, it's important to keep as much distance as possible between your car and the tractor trailer, because of the longer time it takes for these trucks to stop when braking. Tailgating is inadvisable in any situation, but when the vehicle in front of you or especially behind you is a tractor trailer, it's doubly dangerous.

Always stay alert for signals from the 18-wheeler driver. For instance, because of its bulk, a tractor trailer will often move to the left first before it makes a right turn because of the wider turning radius it requires. It's important to keep your wits about you at all times, and play close attention to every sign the truck driver makes. Never attempt to overtake a tractor trailer at high speed. Slippery winter roads can increase the risk that you might skid right into the path of the 80,000 pound machine. Also watch out for bursting truck tires, a frequent occurrence with these heavy trucks. If a tire bursts when you are close by, large slabs of sheared rubber can shoot out like rocks, and smash though your windshield or that of any passenger cars nearby.

If you're driving in bad weather, it's best to slow down and keep as far away from 18-wheeler trucks as possible.

Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

Bad weather can magnify the effect of the usual causes of 18-wheeler accidents, like driver fatigue, defective truck parts, speeding, and alcohol or drug abuse by truck drivers, resulting in catastrophic injuries for themselves and other motorists. Even when poor visibility and slick road conditions contribute, there may yet be other factors at work like driver negligence, inattentiveness or speeding that can be root causes of accidents. In any case, drivers of 18-wheelers must be extra cautious in adverse weather conditions to avoid an accident that could be hazardous not only to them, but also to other motorists nearby.

Investigating the causes of an 18-wheeler accident involves considerable expertise and substantial technical and financial resources. A truck accident lawyer who specializes in litigating 18-wheeler truck accident cases can bring these resources to bear on your behalf.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18 wheeler truck accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free initial consultation. Our attorneys handle most cases on a contingency basis, meaning there is no fee unless we prevail on your behalf.

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