Texas Truckers Concerned About Hike in Accident Rates

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) June 10, 2016 – I-10 in Texas has a shocking rate of semi-truck accidents — 65 collisions since January 1, 2016.

Trucking accidents are the most horrific of all collisions on the highway. Few victims make it out alive after colliding with a big rig, and those that do make it out alive usually have life altering injuries that plague them for the rest of their lives.

Texas has an unenviable reputation for the highest number of drunk driving wrecks, and now it seems they also have dismal record for an ever escalating number of 18-wheeler accidents. It appears that Interstate 10, one of the busiest highways connecting southeast Texas to the rest of the country, has one of the worst ever records for accidents involving semis — 65 since January 1, 2016.

Truckers who frequent this part of the state are prepared to see accidents and are disturbed by the ever- increasing number of distracted drivers. Many long-haul truckers and other drivers hauling for the oil or construction industries have reported seeing numerous accidents and a high number of drivers using a cellphone while behind the wheel.

When a trucker is handling a vehicle that weighs up to 8,000 pounds, the last thing they want to see is a distracted driver coming their way. Stopping on a dime is impossible. It takes a fully loaded semi at least three football fields to stop.

But it’s more than texting the truckers are seeing. It is people watching movies, drinking alcohol, texting, using Facebook and holding their phones up to their faces — all this while hurtling down a very busy highway.

“Understanding the unique perspective of what a trucker sees means an entirely different point-of-view when it comes to the chicken and egg argument of who caused the highway crash involving a semi and another vehicle,” said Austin trucking accident attorney, Bobby Lee. “More often than not when there is a trucking accident, the trucker is blamed. That may be true. However, it may also be the other driver using e-devices while behind the wheel.”

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) representative, Sarah Dupre, indicated that the higher number of accidents is a clear example of why drivers need to be cautious, alert and aware of their surroundings at all time. TxDOT indicates there were more than 3,500 fatalities on Texas highways in 2015. For 2016, to date, there have been more than 1,000 deaths.

“Whatever you need to say, say it when you are talking to the person face-to-face,” said Lee. “Nothing is more important that getting home safe to live your life to its natural end, not end up dead on a highway for texting something that could have waited.”

To learn more, visit http://www.lgrlawfirm.com Lee, Gober & Reyna 11940 Jollyville Road #220-S Austin, Texas 78759 Phone: 512.478.8080