Truck Accident Lawyer

Austin, Texas

Truck Accidents: Are They Avoidable?

Did you know that half a million accidents involving large semi-trucks claim 5,000 lives annually in the U.S.?

The causes of those truck accidents range from reckless driving and fatigued truck drivers to mechanical defects, poor maintenance and bad road conditions.

You can read more about the causes of truck accidents here. Or to discuss a specific truck accident, contact the Austin, Texas law firm of Gonzales & Gonzales for a one-on-one consultation.

Because large tractor-trailer trucks weigh so much more than passenger vehicles, accidents involving the two are often very serious, causing severe personal injury and even wrongful death. Just one small error by a truck operator can have huge consequences for those who share the road with that driver.

Fortunately, many large truck accidents can be prevented by trucking companies who increase truck driver training, ensure proper equipment maintenance and strictly enforce trucking safety rules and regulations for their fleets.

In addition, drivers of passenger vehicles can help avoid truck accidents by following a few cautionary guidelines:

• Move out of a large truck's blind spots quickly or avoid them altogether. A typical tractor-trailer rig has blind spots on both sides and at the back of the rig. If you cannot see a truck's side-view mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
• Be extra-watchful for a large truck's brake lights, backing lights and turn signals.
• Use caution driving around a large truck that is attempting to make a turn. Trucks make very wide turns.
• Keep a safe amount of distance between your car and large trucks. Never tailgate a large truck, and never move directly into a large truck's lane without giving the driver plenty of room to react.
• If you must pull your car off the road for any reason, such as changing a flat tire, make sure you are as far as possible from the closest lane of traffic.
• If you witness a truck driver who is driving aggressively or in a reckless manner, get the license plate number and truck description, and call your local police department.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a large truck accident, you will need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. For residents in the Austin, Texas area, please contact the truck accident specialists at Gonzales & Gonzales for assistance.