Why Do 18 Wheeler Accidents Happen

Oct 24, 2023Admin18 wheeler accidents, Personal Injury

This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm, Principal Office in San Antonio

Why Do 18 Wheeler Accidents Happen

A semi-truck hauling 50,000 gallons of crude oil was involved in a single-vehicle rollover. The 18 wheeler accident resulted in an oil spill that required the Highway Patrol to stop westbound traffic until a hazardous material cleanup crew arrived. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the trucking accident and the cleanup was completed in a couple of hours. The second large truck accident this morning occurred when the driver of a dump truck lost control and rolled. The news reported that the driver sustained multiple injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Luckily, no other vehicles were involved and there were no other reported injuries. However, traffic was affected during rush hour. Authorities are not sure why these truck drivers lost control of their vehicles and caused significant accidents on the road. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the drivers were driving impaired by driver fatigue or inattentiveness. More info on this websiteThey have not ruled out whether the trucks mechanically malfunctioned. Most people agree that they would rather have semi-truck operatives travel at night or early morning to avoid driving with the average commuters. However, some people are beginning to question whether the odd driving hours present a safety hazard. They wonder how successful long-haul drivers are with coping with drowsy driving especially when traveling in the dark. Others question whether semi-truck operatives follow the speed limit during their long hauls. National Statistics on 18 wheeler Accidents authorities report that large truck operators have several unique obstacles when driving across the country these include:

Unfamiliarity with the roadway.
Driving too fast for conditions
Maneuvering truck in a manner not designed for the weight or load (which can off-balance the entire truck and its load)
Inattention
Fatigue Illness
Distraction by passengers
Low visibility of smaller vehicles

Statistics from Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) report that an average of 5,000 large trucks are involved in fatal traffic accidents each year. Tractors pulling one semitrailer are the most common truck involved in a fatal trucking accident. MCMIS also reports that around 136,438 large trucks were involved in non-fatal crashes. From these statistics, it is obvious that motorists must be extra cautious when driving near semi-trucks and other large trucks. Even if a truck does not hit another vehicle, it can still be a lethal instrument. For instance, a trailer could jackknife across a highway, obscure other drivers’ sightlines, or push cars out of lanes. The laws for dealing with the aftermath of truck accidents can get quite complex.

Fortunately, if you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you can rely on the time-tested attorneys at our Law Firm. Call us toll-free to find out more about our unique practice and to explore setting up a free consultation with our team.

Personal Injury Law – Car Accident Injuries – Auto Insurance

Oct 17, 2022AdminBlog

This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm, Principal Office in San Antonio

Car Accident Law

Whether the Defendant is Insured or Uninsured Greatly Impacts your Case

State law mandates, without exception, that all drivers must have auto insurance. Over the past several years, law enforcement has incorporated some powerful technology to detect whether a motorist is insured instantly. Many dispense “street justice” by immediately towing non-insured vehicles and giving drivers expensive tickets. If the driver has been previously convicted of driving without insurance, he or she can lose their license for a long time and possibly even go to jail, especially if they are involved in a wreck. More on this website

Even when they know they’re apt to suffer the consequences if they drive without proof of liability insurance, at least one-in-four Texans still try to get away with it. Whether or not an insurance company is involved in your case makes a huge difference in the legal process and the ultimate outcome of your fatal auto accident claim. Some conditions surrounding your accident (and damages compensation) can be complex and often contentious. Other elements of the fatal car wreck can be relatively straightforward once you get past the initial complexities.

Suppose both drivers involved in the accident are insured. In that case, the company covering the driver that caused the accident is responsible for compensating your family for all legal damages up to policy limits. Whether they do or not is one thing. Generally, this can be good for plaintiffs; in most insured cases, there will be at least some money to compensate your family for the tragic loss of your loved one. Yet, most drivers with “street legal-only” liability insurance carry minimum coverage. Those minimums are 30/60/25. Each number is in thousands. The 30 is bodily injury per person, the 60 is bodily injury per accident, and the 25 is property damage (the value of the vehicle that was hit). Such policies fail to fully reimburse your family for this profound wrongful death loss. Notice there is no provision for pain and suffering or other survivor damages. So just because the money is theoretically available through the negligent driver’s policy doesn’t necessarily mean that you can quickly recover it, especially if the negligent driver carries minimum coverage.

Motorcycle Accidents – Personal Injury Law

Sep 14, 2021AdminBlog

Motorcycle Accidents

On a nice day, many citizens of Texas enjoy going for motorcycle rides and prefer a motorcycle as their main form of transportation. Many motorcyclists are skilled in their riding abilities and wear protective headgear because they are aware of the dangers of riding a motorcycle. More here. Additionally, most motorcyclists abide by the rules of the road and do not make poor decisions. However, motorcycle accidents still occur, and in many cases, it is the fault of another driver. Due to the lack of protection that a motorcyclist does not have because they aren’t in an enclosed vehicle, many motorcyclists wind up severely injured in any type of accident. Other times, the accident may end fatally for the motorcyclist.

Many times, it is the driver of another vehicle that is at fault in a motorcycle accident. This can be due to the driver:

Failing to See the Motorcyclist
Speeding
Driving While Intoxicated
Driving Recklessly
Simply Not Paying Attention

In some cases, a motorcycle accident is not the fault of the motorcyclist or the driver. It can sometimes be the result of a defect in the motorcycle. When a defect in a motorcycle is found, it is usually recalled. However, a recall may happen once it is too late and harm was already done to someone. Sometimes a person may be the owner of a recalled motorcycle but they are unaware of the fact that it was recalled, and they wind up getting into an accident due to riding a defective motorcycle.

The consequences of a motorcycle accident can be catastrophic. A motorcyclist that gets into an accident can wind up with brain injuries, paralysis, bone fractures, and severe burns that require skin grafts and years of surgery to repair. Other times, a motorcycle accident can result in death. If you lost someone in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another or due to a motorcycle defect, contact our attorneys today.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident? Our attorneys can help. Contact our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys to schedule a free consultation.