College Station Truck Accident Attorneys
Truck drivers provide an essential service in the United States by transporting raw materials and finished goods to plants and retail centers. Transportation of these goods in done via semi-truck, often referred to as an 18-wheeler, which is a vehicle that consists of the towing engine – or tractor – that is attached to one or more semi-trailers. A standard 18-wheeler can weigh anywhere from 20,000 pounds for a single axle rig, 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle, all the way up to 80,000 pounds when it is fully loaded.
Given their weight, an 18-wheeler can cause a great deal of damage. A truck accident can be one of the most dangerous, and seriously damaging, accidents that you can be involved in. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009 there were 3,380 fatalities and over 70,000 injuries due to truck accidents. Of the accidents reported, eighty-seven percent were reported to be due to driver error.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationTruck driving is a difficult profession as evidenced by its high turnover rate of 136% per year: for every 100 drivers employed, a carrier loses an average of 136 drivers each year. The conditions are difficult and the pay often less then optimal. Drivers are often paid by the mile or by the load, and truckers have been known to push their limits in an effort to maximize their earnings. While there are laws concerning hours worked, drivers often do not get sufficient rest between jobs which can lead to errors in judgment and accidents.
There are many demands placed upon truck drivers along with a multitude of laws intended to protect the public. Even so, there are many factors that can lead to an increase in truck accidents including:
Prescription drug use
- Over the counter drug use
- Unfamiliarity with the road
- Speeding
- Illegal maneuvers
- Inadequate observation
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationTruck drivers are five times more likely to die in a work-related accident than the average U.S. worker. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), highway accidents accounted for most truck driver deaths with a full seventy percent attributable to the unsafe actions of automobile drivers unfamiliar with large trucks.
Additionally, there are other factors related to truck accidents and why they happen, such as:
- Brake failure – twenty-nine percent of accidents are caused by brakes and their failure.
- Tired drivers – truck drivers often do not get sufficient rest. By law, truck drivers are limited to 11 cumulative hours of driving in a 14-hour period, following by a rest period of no less than 10 consecutive hours. They are also prohibited from working more than 70 hours within any period of 8 consecutive days.
- Negligent driving – a negligent driver is one who uses his cell phone, texts while driving, plays with the radio or GPS, or is distracted while driving by other things such as passengers or pets in the vehicle.
- Defective trucks – trucks that are in disrepair or are defective such as faulty tires or brakes.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationIf you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, contact the attorneys at Zinda Law Group in Bryan College Station. Our attorneys are experienced in truck accident investigations and we are prepared to take your case and get you the compensation you deserve.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
