If You Drive On Houston Roads And Highways, You Must Know About These 3 Ways That 18-Wheeler Trucks Can Cause Serious Accidents
Pretty much everyone has seen a terrible accident on the road involving an 18-wheeler truck, also commonly known as a semi-truck. Whether we have rubbernecked an 18-wheeler accident on our daily commute home, or we have seen one on the news or read about one in the newspaper, most of us are familiar with just how dangerous an 18-wheeler truck can be when involved in a motor vehicle accident. While most people are familiar with common types of 18-wheeler truck accidents, such as rear-ending accidents, there are many different types of motor vehicle accidents that can occur with an 18-wheeler truck. Houston drivers should be aware of the many ways that 18-wheelers can cause serious, even fatal, trucking accidents. Here are few of the ways that 18-wheeler truck-involved accidents can occur out on Houston roads and highways:
- “Squeeze Play” Accidents: this type of 18-wheeler trucking accident occurs typically when an 18-wheeler truck is trying to make a right turn. Because 18-wheeler trucks are quite long, 18-wheeler truck drivers often first enter the left lane of the road, and then swing over to the right and make a sharp right-hand turn in order to turn right on the road. As a result, other drivers on the road may think that the 18-wheeler truck is simply changing lanes, and if they are also turning right, may get wedged between the truck and the curb. Squeeze-play accidents can cause serious injuries when the large and heavy 18-wheeler squeezes and crushes the other motor vehicle.
- Hours of Service Violations: Most commercial 18-wheeler truck drivers work very hard and long hours and federal laws are in place to make sure that 18-wheeler truck drivers get the proper rest so that they can be safe out on the road. When drivers do not follow these laws, they may be sleep deprived, which is very dangerous and can lead to distracted and unsafe driving.
- “Jackknife Accidents”: A jackknife accident is a very scary thing. A jackknife accident occurs when the two parts of an 18-wheeler truck, the cab (front part) and the trailer (back part) move separately and fold-up on each other. When an 18-wheeler truck jackknifes, the truck is out of control, and either part of the truck may slide and collide with other vehicles on the road. Jackknifing is extremely dangerous and can cause multiple accidents as the trailer slides down the road at speed.
Help with an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident in Houston
In addition to the above, there are a number of other ways that 18-wheeler trucks can cause serious accidents to other drivers on the road. If you or a loved one has been involved in an 18-wheeler truck accident in Houston, it is critical to get in touch with an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer to discuss your rights and options. The Gilde Law Firm offers a free and confidential consultation to learn about your truck accident and to see if they can help you get compensation due to you. Contact the Gilde Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your case for free.
