A recent study by the American Association of Justice has shown that over "9 million trucks travel U.S. roads each year and many of them are in serious violation of federal safety standards.  These violations include such practices as overloading trucks, allowing unqualified or untrained drivers behind the wheel, failing to maintain tires and brakes, and salary systems that encourage truck drivers to exceed speed limits and maximum driving hours."

Further, "though trucks make up less than 4% of all passenger vehicles on U.S. road they are involved in 12% of all motor vehicle fatalities", kill over 4000 people each year, and seriously injure another 80,000 people.

For more information on this Study, go to the following web page.

The Need for Trucking Safety and TxDOT Safety Tips

Approximately 500 Texans are killed in fatal truck accidents each year and many more suffer serious injuries that significantly alter peoples' lives including needing extensive medical care and ending careers. 

Most crashes in Texas result from speeding, failure to yield, driving under the influence of alcohol, following too closely and running red lights and stop signs. To learn the best ways to avoid a collision or what to do if you are in a crash, please read the information below.

Driving Tips

• Slow down and drive to conditions.

• Drive friendly - yield to other drivers and be courteous.

• Maintain a safe following distance.

• Look both ways before you enter an intersection.

• Signal every turn and lane change.

• Stop at red lights and stop signs.

• Don't drive if you've been drinking.

What to do after a Crash

• Check for injuries. If people are hurt, tend to them.

• Move your car out of the roadway to a safer place where you can exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle identification numbers, vehicle license plate numbers, insurance information and driver license information.

• Note the location of the crash and get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. If the vehicles cannot be moved, protect the scene by setting up flares or raising your hood.

When to Call Police

Always call the police when:

• an injury or fatality is involved,

• the vehicles cannot be moved,

• you suspect one of the drivers is intoxicated,

• one of the drivers has no insurance, or

• one of the drivers leaves the scene.

When to Move Your Vehicle

If you are in a collision and no one is hurt, don't wait for the police before moving your vehicle. If you can drive the vehicle, the law requires you to move it out of the flow of traffic.

If there is damage to the vehicle, stop and exchange information. If someone is hurt, render aid and notify law enforcement. If you hit an unattended vehicle, find the driver or write your name and address on a note explaining what happened. You must also include the owner's name and address if the vehicle you are driving doesn't belong to you.

When to File a Crash Report

If a law enforcement officer is not investigating the crash, you must file a crash report with TxDOT within 10 days if:

• there are injuries or a fatality,

• you suspect property damage exceeds $1,000, or

• you suspect a driver is intoxicated, unlicensed, has no insurance or attempts to leave the scene.

If you don't file a report, you're subject to up to a $500 fine, plus court costs.

Truck Accident Safety Investigation Lawyer Locates Investigates Safety Violations after Catastrophic Injury Accidents and Fatal Collision Accidents 

If you have suffered catastrophic injuries in a commercial vehicle of accident or have had a loved one killed in a commercial vehicle accident, it is important to make sure that a thorough investigation of the fatal accident or catastrophic injury accident is done; that all available insurance and potential sources of recovery are located; and that insurance adjusters, risk managers, and defense lawyers are not able to take advantage of the injured or grieving.  It is also typically a good idea to obtain excellent legal representation from an experienced truck accident safety violation investigation lawyer to protect you or your loved one's rights and to make sure that an investigation as to the cause of the collision is done correctly and any potential recoveries are properly pursued.