Being involved in any sort of auto accident can cause substantial physical and emotional trauma. Although there are many common factors between truck and car accidents, there are also many differences between the two types of crashes. 

Your Austin truck accident lawyer at Ramos James Law, PLLC, recommends motorists learn the difference between the two types of accidents to better understand their own circumstances should they be involved in one.

Truck Accident Statistic in Texas 

Truck drivers are essential to our economy, transporting goods and materials across our state and nation. However, being involved in a collision with a truck can cause catastrophic damage to your vehicle and health. 

These statistics from 2010 prove the seriousness of truck accidents:

• There were over 115,000 truck accidents in the United States 
• About 12,600 of those accidents took place on Texas roadways 
• There were almost 400 fatalities 
• These accidents led to 6,500 severe injuries 

Unfortunately, truck accidents continue to happen in Texas at a frightening rate and with calamitous consequences. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck, contact your Austin attorney to see if you can start a claim against the driver or company. 

Key Differences Between Truck and Car Accidents

Below we have listed the three principal differences between truck and passenger car accidents:

1. Truck Drivers And Their Companies Must Follow Safety Regulations

Truck drivers have specific laws targeted to them on top of obeying the standard road rules. Some safety regulations truck drivers have to follow, while other drivers do not, include the following:

• Amount of hours driven
• Weight of the vehicle 
• Truck inspections by the driver and company 
• Maintenance requirements
• CDL licensing requirements
• Drug testing
• Background checks

A truck driver or company that fails to follow these regulations may be subject to negligence. 

2. The Gravity of the Personal Injury

It doesn’t take a physicist to foresee the devastating results a truck collision can have on a passenger car. A truck’s weight can easily be double the weight of a passenger vehicle. Because of the size difference, drivers and passengers of a car involved in a truck accident can face severe injuries:

• Broken bones
• Injuries to their back and neck
• Burns
• Death 

3. Dealing With Trucking Companies and Their Insurance is Complicated

Most truck companies are prepared for any and all types of situations that can occur with their employees. The companies are aware of the severity of accidents their drivers can potentially cause, so their insurance companies are prepared to investigate and fight at any given moment. 

This is why you must act fast, if you can, and follow the steps on what to do after a truck accident to begin building your claim with your Austin truck accident lawyer. 

If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, contact your Austin truck accident lawyers at Ramos James Law, PLLC, to start your personal injury claim and receive the justice you deserve.

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At 6:30 A.M. in Limestone County, Texas, two people died after a vehicle crash on Highway 164.

Details About the Limestone County Car Crash

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the fatal, single vehicle accident took place 6 miles east of Mart on Highway 164 in Limestone County, Texas. The driver collided into an embankment after hitting a guardrail. The driver was said to be tired.
Two people died in the crash, two passengers were taken to BSW Waco with non-life-threatening injuries, and another who was taken to Baylor Scott and White in Temple, Texas is said to be in critical condition.
The crash is still under investigation.

Driver Fatigue: Facts and Tips

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are tired and must get behind the wheel, there is one simple solution: don’t do it.
Did you know fatigue can cause impaired judgment? In some ways, driving while tired is almost the same as drunk driving. There are roughly 100,000 reported accidents every year as a result of driving when tired according to the National Highway Safety Administration. The exact number is not certain because it is hard to dictate when a driver is truly fatigued.

How to Avoid Car Accidents Caused by Driving Tired

Next time you catch yourself yawning and feeling drowsy while on the road, please park somewhere safe like a rest stop and take a nap. A few rounds of exercises or an impromptu karaoke session at a rest stop or safe area can also wake you up.

Caffeine or energy boosting foods before hitting the road again can also help you, but do remember, caffeine and cat naps are only short-term remedies for sleepiness.

Nothing beats getting a full night’s rest the day before your trip.

Car accidents are stressful and overwhelming. If you ever find yourself in a situation, know your Austin car accident attorneys at Ramos James Law, PLLC are here to aid you in your journey to recovery.

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, contact Ramos James Law, PLLC now.

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Source: KWKT