Safety Tips to Avoid Truck Accidents on Corpus Christi Roads

Commercial trucks are some of the largest vehicles on Texas roadways. Due to their immense weight and size, commercial trucks take longer to speed up, stop, and slow down. They also need more room to safely maneuver and usually have more extensive blind spots than other vehicles, as well as other driving impediments that passenger vehicles do not have. Preventing potential truck accidents is a responsibility shared by all drivers and it begins with understanding safe driving tactics and knowing what to look out for.  

If you were injured in a Texas truck accident, contact the skilled Corpus Christi truck accident attorneys at The Edwards Law Firm. We can ensure that your rights are protected and help you pursue full and fair financial compensation for your losses.  

Risk Factors That Contribute to Texas Truck Accidents 

Commercial truck drivers are required to undergo comprehensive training where they learn how to operate their rigs safely and perform mandatory routine safety inspections. Despite being specially licensed, truck accidents still take place every day across the United States. Some common risk factors that frequently cause or contribute to commercial truck accidents include: 

• Experience and Training

• • • As technology changes and the operational systems of trucks change, drivers need to be retrained  
    • A driver’s experience is a major factor in their ability to handle their rig safely 
    • Being unfamiliar with roadways is another issue caused by a lack of experience. Truckers taking new routes can miss turns and changes in speed limits, posing a threat to other drivers

• Blind Spot and Vehicle Awareness

• • • It is imperative that truck operators pay close attention to their vehicle’s blind spots, especially on interstates and highways.
    • Failure to monitor blind spots, especially while merging or changing lanes, is a leading cause of serious Corpus Christi truck accidents. 

• Truck Maintenance

• • • Truck operators who fail to conduct regular maintenance on their rigs are at risk of steering malfunctions, tire blowouts, unbalanced or unsecured loads, brake failure, and other serious vehicle malfunctions caused by defective vehicle parts. 

• Driver Fatigue

• • • Failure to adhere to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours of service rule can result in drivers experiencing drowsiness or fatigue, causing them to veer into oncoming traffic or run other vehicles off the road.

• Distracted Driving

• • • Drivers who engage in activities that take their focus off of safe driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident.
    • Due to their weight and the high speeds at which they usually travel, trucks require extra distance to come to a safe stop. A distracted driver is unlikely to notice slowing traffic or an obstacle in the road in time to do so safely. 

• Speeding

• • • Some of the most severe truck accidents are caused by speeding truckers. As with distracted driving, excessive speeding does not give truck drivers ample time to react to unexpected situations.  
    • According to the FMCSA, a tractor-trailer requires the length of two football fields to come to a safe stop. 

• Weather and Road Conditions

• • Road hazards, such as potholes, can lead to blown tires and damaged suspension, which can result in truck accidents. Truck drivers should also exercise extreme caution when passing through construction zones.
  • Just like any other driver, truck drivers need to slow down during inclement weather, including rain, ice, snow, sleet, and fog. 

How to Prevent a Corpus Christi Truck Accident

A report published by the Texas Department of Transportation suggests that commercial trucks need additional space between them and other vehicles. Other tips for avoiding truck accidents include:

• Frequently checking blind spots 
• Being aware of short stopping distances
• Use caution when making wide turns
• Always drive at a speed safe for current road and traffic conditions
• Avoid distracted driving 
• Always buckle up
• Always use turn indicators to make other drivers aware of your intentions
• Carry out all scheduled vehicle inspections and maintenance
• Show due care when driving through roadworks

The shifts that a Texas truck driver is permitted to work are restricted by federal law. They may drive for 14 consecutive hours which must be followed by 10 consecutive rest or “off-duty” hours. After this, a 30-minute rest period is mandatory after every eight consecutive hours of driving. After an 8-hour rest break, they may drive for 10 consecutive hours. Being able to rest when feeling tired is important for any driver, including truckers, whether or not they have reached their driving limit. 

For other drivers to avoid being involved in a commercial truck accident, they can: 

• Avoid driving in trucks’ blind spots 
• Only overtake a truck when it is safe to do so
• Never tailgate a commercial truck. If they stop suddenly, this could lead to a catastrophic underride accident
• Never use your high beams when you are behind a truck as it can blind the driver when he tries to check his blind spots
• Be patient 
• Avoid distracted driving

Practicing Personal Injury Law Since 1962

If you were injured in a commercial truck accident, you can schedule a free case review with one of our experienced Corpus Christi truck accident attorneys by calling us at (361) 320-6752 or by filling out our online contact form. We serve clients across the Texas Gulf Coast region.