Truck Accident Attorneys – 18 Wheeler Crash Law

In Texas, there are certain statutory duties required by State law of each driver using public roads and highways.

These duties include:

Not driving while intoxicated
Driving within the posted speed limit
Maintaining a safe following distance between vehicles
Inspecting his or her vehicle and ensure it is in safe operating condition
Obeying all other traffic laws and ordinances

A breach of the duty of ordinary care by a driver which results in a personal injury to another enables that party to recover for personal injuries.

All actions involving negligence in automobile accidents are governed by a two (2) year statute of limitations.

18-Wheeler Accidents

In addition to abiding by City and State ordinances and laws governing safe travel in the State of Texas, drivers of 18-wheelers are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the Texas Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which govern the number of hours a commercial driver can drive, the qualifications of the driver, the training of the driver, and the inspection of the equipment. The driver of an 18-wheeler is the one who is the professional and makes his living by driving, therefore he is held to a higher standard of care than that of the non-professional driver.

A fully loaded 18-wheeler will weigh approximately 80,000 lbs. Due to their weight and size, an 18 wheeler requires longer stopping distances and can inflict serious injuries to the occupants of any other vehicle with which it comes into contact.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can involve not only 18-wheelers but dump trucks and other large commercial vehicles operating on the public roadways in the State of Texas.

Large commercial trucks are governed by the Texas Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and their drivers are held to strict requirements in regards to their qualifications, training, hours of service, and vehicle maintenance. The drivers of these vehicles, since they are professionals, are held to a higher duty than nonprofessional drivers.