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

Truck accident lawyers can't stress enough the importance of driving safely during bad weather conditions, an 18-wheeler accident in Limon, Colorado illustrates why. Last week, a fiery 18-wheeler accident killed two people and left others with injuries.

The accident occurred when a tractor trailer rear ended a Jeep that was driving slowly through a snowstorm. The impact of the crash sent the Jeep hurling into a Ford F-150 pickup truck, which, in turn, sent the truck into a Chevrolet Suburban. The Jeep exploded into flames and the two occupants of the Jeep died at the scene of the accident. The Ford pickup driver sustained minor injuries in the crash, while the driver of the Chevrolet Suburban escaped unharmed.

The driver of the tractor trailer, Texas resident Richard Widmier, was arrested. He faces charges of third degree assault, criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and failing to provide proof of insurance.

Driving in adverse weather conditions calls for extra care and attention to the road. It also calls for reduced speed and maintaining sufficient distance from the vehicles in front of a tractor trailer traveling at high speeds. Normal traffic rules do not apply when you are traveling in heavy rain, fog, or a blizzard, which was the case here. Bad weather impacts visibility and reduces the likelihood that a driver will hear horns or signals from other motorists. Also, road surfaces may become slick and slippery, creating conditions conducive for skid or rollovers. Water on the road may also spray around and onto the windshields of other cars, thus limiting their visibility.

While truck drivers are unable to take the day off during bad weather they must keep the following in mind:

• Check the weather report before you travel so you can plan another route if possible.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require a driver to be extremely careful during hazardous weather conditions. If the weather is bad enough to impact driving, drivers are required to stop operating the truck until the weather clears.
• Keep considerable distance between the truck and the vehicle in front.
• Slow down.
• Do a complete check of your vehicle before you start your journey – this is always important, but is especially imperative during bad weather.
• Be prepared for the weather worsening as you travel and make contingency plans to take another route or stop the vehicle when it does.

Truck Accident Liability

People injured in an accident when a truck driver fails to operate his big rig carefully during bad weather, may be eligible for compensation. A truck accident lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries in the event of an 18-wheeler accident.

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

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The driver of an 18-wheeler fell asleep at the wheel while driving along Interstate 20 in Grand Prairie, Texas, causing the big rig to overturn; the driver escaped with minor injuries. 

On January 20, after falling asleep at the wheel and overturning his 18-wheeler, the driver was taken to a Dallas hospital and was, reportedly, out of danger; no other vehicles were involved in the accident. According to reports, when the driver nodded off, the tractor trailer veered to the left side of the freeway and crashed through 170 feet of guardrail before overturning. Police said that investigations will commence soon, and will look into whether or not the driver was exceeding his hours of service.

Driver fatigue at the wheel of an 18-wheeler is the cause of many accidents involving these vehicles, reported every year in Texas. Dozing off or falling asleep at the wheel is just one sign that a driver has not had adequate rest between shifts. Investigations by commercial vehicle enforcement officers will reveal if the driver's logs indicate that he had been driving for longer than the stipulated hours and when his last rest break was. New trucking rules allow a trucking driver to work 11 hours consecutively, and mandate a rest break after a 14 hour shift. The possibility of truckers manipulating their logs in order to work longer than the hours allowed is a very real one, and truck safety groups have called for a return to the previous 10-hour work rule. The trucking industry, however, has been reluctant to bring back the old hours due to the losses it would suffer going back to the 10-hour work rule.

Driver fatigue is an aspect of driver behavior that can be dangerous in any situation, but when you're talking about an 80,000 pound 18-wheeler, the consequences of nodding off at the wheel can be catastrophic. In this particular accident, it is extremely fortunate there were no other vehicles in the vicinity when the big rig toppled over and, consequently, no other injuries. 

Truck Accident Lawyer 

A person injured in a truck accident caused by driver negligence or fatigue can file a damages claim against the trucking company that employed the driver. These truck accident lawsuits can be complex, requiring extensive investigation and a look at the driver's logs, as well as his background. The truck accident lawyers at Arnold & Itkin have represented hundreds of clients over the years in truck accident injury cases and have earned them the compensation they deserve. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact a truck accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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Texas truck accident lawyers Kurt Arnold and Mike Pierce of the Houston, Texas personal injury law firm Arnold & Itkin LLP brought suit on behalf of a Jennings, Louisiana resident who was injured in a 18-wheeler truck accident.  The D&H Transportation truck hit Plaintiff in Orange County, Texas on I-10 after the truck merged into his lane trapping Plaintiff between the truck and a concrete barrier.  Plaintiff seeks medical bills, past and future earnings loss, and pain and suffering.

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Successfully litigating personal injury claims involving truck accidents depends on crucial information that is collected during the truck accident investigation. When a truck accident occurs, the investigation must begin as soon as possible following the accident. Evidence and testimony must be gathered while witnesses memories are still clear and before evidence begins to disappear.

Our Truck Accident Lawyer website provides a complete explanation of the truck accident investigation process. There you will learn more about the importance of timely accident scene inspections, witness depositions, truck and vehicle inspections, and the inspection of company records.

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