Many factors play a role in motor vehicle accidents. Drivers who behave recklessly, speed, are distracted, drive under the influence, are inexperienced or drowsy are just some of the catalysts for a crash. These issues are exacerbated when a large truck is involved. Since Texas is such a massive state, there is a constant stream of trucks going back and forth. This can place people in smaller vehicles in danger of injuries and death in a collision. It is important to be aware of the inherent risks and take steps to mitigate them. Even if drivers are vigilant, many collisions cannot be avoided. It is in these situations that those who were impacted should be cognizant of their rights and seek professional assistance as soon as possible.
Truck crashes on the rise in Texas just as younger truckers are allowed on the road
These accidents happen for a litany of reasons. In Texas, there has been growing concern because of the rising number of fatal crashes involving commercial trucks. Part of this is believed to be due to the ongoing health concern across the nation. Since there were fewer vehicles on the road, many saw it as an opening to commit various violations and put themselves and others at risk. This is happening all over as the statistics indicate. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that people drove more than 13% fewer miles in 2020 when compared to the previous year, but there were 7.2% more road deaths. The initial statistics for the start of 2021 – the latest comprehensive data available – says that the first quarter of the year had a 10.5% spike in road fatalities when compared to the same time frame in 2019.
Twelve counties in Dallas-Fort Worth saw an increase in commercial vehicle fatalities across the board in 2020 and 2021. It is believed that speeding was a fundamental cause. As traffic slowly returns to normal levels, drivers are still behaving the same way they did during the traffic decline. This is placing people in jeopardy of accidents and death. The job of truck driving itself lends itself to drivers running on some semblance of “autopilot” without truly being attentive to what they are doing. Adding to the challenges of safe trucking is the absence of qualified drivers pushing current drivers to their limits and sparking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to let younger drivers legally drive across state lines.
New rule will let truckers aged 18 to 20 cross state lines
If trucker behavior was not worrisome enough, younger truckers will now be on the road to address the driver shortage. Before the FMCSA made this change, those 18 to 20 could drive a commercial vehicle in their state. Now, they will be able to go to other states as well. While there are training requirements and extensive rules before they can drive long haul across state lines as older truckers can, this may add to the safety woes that are currently in place. First, younger truckers will serve as apprentices and be subject to probation. If their driving record is not clear, they cannot take part in the program. The fear is that a lack of experience and the tendency to behave impulsively could add to the number of crashes that are happening. These issues should be assessed after an accident and this can be done with help from professionals.
Having professional representation can be vital after a truck accident
Given the litany of problems that people will inevitably face after a truck accident, it is imperative to get sound advice with what to do in the aftermath. Having experienced assistance can analyze the case, investigate, determine how it happened and proceed. Medical costs, lost wages, the need for extended care and a difficult long-term outlook are all potential byproducts of a truck accident. This is if those involved survive. In a fatal accident, those left behind will be wondering how they will move forward. From the start, it is useful to understand the options and act. This can be accomplished with experienced guidance and advice.
