Truckers and Drug Use a Deadly Combination when it comes to Houston Car Accidents

No regulations are currently in place to monitor drug test result of many commercial truck drivers in the United States.  American Trucking Associations and Road Safe America are petitioning for the federal government to enact a law to collect test results of truck drivers in attempt to reduce the number of Katy car accidents involving large trucks.

Our Houston personal injury lawyers believe that America deserves safe roadways and understands the need for federal intervention. We have known for decades about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Still, not nearly enough is being done to prevent the deadly habit among drivers of 80,000 semi trucks.

According to Road Safe America, drivers who have been terminated for positive drug and alcohol tests can all too easily 'erase' their records, jump states and quickly be hired by another commercial trucking company.  New rules and regulations would help prevent this from happening by providing stricter enforcement on the testing of drivers for the use of drugs and by keeping the records alive and centralized, for all to see.

Nearly 11,000 people were killed as the result of a drunk driving accident last year -- accounting for  32 percent of all motor-vehicle accident fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

In May of 2009, several senators introduced The Safe Roads Act, which was proposed to create a national library offering drivers who've tested positive for drug and alcohol and other traffic violations.  Positive drug results would no longer be able to just 'disappear'.  The bill was created in hopes of making our roadways safe for truck drivers and fellow motorists.  

If a you or someone you love has been injured in a serious or fatal Houston car accident, contact our Houston personal injury lawyers at Stephens Law Firm by email or calling us at 713.224.0000 to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights.

Two Semi Trucks Collide at Intersection Redesigned to Decrease Number of Houston Car Accidents

An 18-wheeler and a sport utility vehicle were struck by a second 18-wheeler at the intersection of Woodrow Road and Highway 87 last week.  Both vehicles were stopped at the intersection when the second 18-wheeler slammed into the back of the stationary 18-wheeler causing it to rear-end the SUV.  The Lubbock truck accident took the life of one driver, according to NBC 11.

Houston truck accident lawyers urge you to be alert and cautious when sharing our roads with commercial rigs.  The Lubbock accident was the second incident of the day near the intersection. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) installed signals there just a month ago to help ease the flow of traffic.

 

In February, lights and warning signs near the intersection were installed to improve the poor safety conditions.   The revamp of the intersection was funded, to the tune of nearly $568,000, by state money and with the help of the federal Hazard Elimination and Safety Program.

In 2008, a total of 4,229 people died in a traffic crashes involving large trucks, gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Statistics show that 4,229 people died and an additional 90,000 were injured in those accidents.

Of the 4,229 fatalities that resulted from accidents involving these large trucks, 74 percent were occupants of another vehicle.  

The NHTSA also reports that of all commercial truck drivers involved in fatal accidents in 2008, nearly one-fourth of them had at least one previous speeding traffic violation.

TxDOT offers you these safety tips to keep in mind when sharing the road with larger trucks:

-Remember trucks have blind spots.  Stay out of them and keep visual contact with the drivers as much as possible.

-Be careful when passing a truck.  Don't get back into the lane until you see both headlights of the truck in your rear view mirror.

-Keep a safe distance.  To judge if you're following at an appropriate distance, judge by the two second rule.  Watch the vehicle in front of you pass a fixed object.  You should be able to count at least two seconds before you pass that same object. 

-Watch for truck's wide turns.  Don't try to squeeze in when a truck is making a turn.  They may not be able to see you, which could put you in a compromising situation.

If a you or someone you know or love has been injured in a serious or fatal Houston Car Accident, contact our Houston personal injury lawyer at Stephens Law Firm. Call us at 713.224.0000 to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. 

Diesel spill forces closure of I-610 following Houston Trucking Accident

A Houston tractor-trailer accident shut down the northbound lanes of the I-610 East Loop near Manchester, ABC 13 reported. 

The accident involved a minivan and resulted in about 200 gallons of diesel fuel spilling onto the highway. Not only does the extreme weight of semi trucks pose a serious threat to motorists, but significant amounts of fuel increase the risk of fire. Hauling other hazardous materials may present additional risks. A personal injury lawyer in Houston or  Katy should always be consulted after an accident with a truck or other commercial vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 380,000 accidents involving large trucks occurred in 2008, injuring 90,000 and killed 4,229. While trucks account for only 4 percent of all vehicles on the road -- and 7 percent of miles traveled --  accidents involving large commercial trucks accounted for 11 percent of all traffic fatalities.

A HazMat crew was called to the scene and all lanes were blocked between Highway 225 and Manchester Street. The closure lasted several hours.

Trucks have taken to the road in increasing numbers during the last decade. In 1998, 7.7 million trucks drove just under 200 million miles. By 2008, more than 9 million tractor trailers traveled 227 million miles on the nation's highways.

Typically, those seriously injured or killed in a crash with a large truck are occupants of other vehicles, or non-occupants such as bicyclists and pedestrians. Of the 4,229 killed, fewer than one-fifth (677) were truck occupants. Of the 90,000 injured, only about one-fourth (23,000) were occupants of a large truck.

Texas leads the nation in fatal trucking accidents, with 421 in 2008. California was the only other state to record more than 300 fatalities, when it recorded 304.

Katy Accident Lawyer Joe Stephens, a personal injury trial law specialist, offers free consultations to accident victims in the Houston area. You may also request your free copy of Attorney Stephens' books, the Texas Accident Bible, A Survivor's Legal Guide and Hiring the Right Attorney. Call today at 713-224-0000 or <a href="http://www.joestephenslaw.com/contact.html">contact us through this website</a>.

Fatigued drivers a leading cause of Houston trucking accidents

A recent study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that more than 40 percent of drivers have fallen asleep while driving at some time in their driving history. One in four admitted they had driven despite hardly being able to keep their eyes open within one month of being surveyed.

Our Houston car accident lawyers know that about 16.5 percent of all fatal car accidents nationwide have been linked to driver fatigue. The AAA Foundation CEO went so far as to say driving fatigued has similar effects on driver judgment, awareness and reaction time as drug or alcohol intoxication. Texas trucking accidents share similar statistics, despite attempts by the government to use hours-of-service regulations and other rules aimed at reducing the risk of serious or fatal tractor-trailer accidents being caused by fatigued truckers.

The survey also revealed that 85 percent of drivers found it “completely unacceptable” for a driver to get behind the wheel and drive-while-exhausted. AAA vice-president of public affairs suggests drivers do so anyway because they underestimate the risk of a drowsy driver falling asleep at anytime.

According to the National Sleep Foundation it is “conservatively” estimated that fatigued driving can be linked to about 100,000 serious car accidents annually that claim 1,550 lives. Another 70,000 are injured at a total cost cost $12.5 billion in lost wages and productivity, medical expenses and vehicle repairs. Most at risk of being a fatigued driver are shift workers, young men and parents.

The NSF offers a few common-sense signs to look for that often indicate a driver is fatigued to the point of impairment:
~ If your eyelids feel heavy, you can’t keep your eyes open or you have trouble focusing.

~ If you lose track of travel time, catch yourself daydreaming while driving or struggle to maintain coherent thoughts.

~ If you feel restless, irritable or find yourself drifting between lanes or onto shoulder rumble strips.

To avoid drowsy driving and decrease your risk of a drowsy-driving related car accident, AAA recommends the following:
~ Before heading off on a long car trip – get a good night’s rest.

~ Take a driving break every 100 miles or every couple hours.

~ Drive during times when you are normally awake.

~ If you realize you are tired, STOP. A catnap and a dose of caffeine can work wonders for a tired driver.

If a you or someone you know or love has been injured in a serious or fatal Houston car accident, contact our Houston personal injury lawyers at Stephens Law firm by email or calling us at 713.224.0000 to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights.