Eighteen-wheelers provide a great service in our country. Many of the things we buy in stores and supermarkets are delivered by tractor-trailers from all over North America. However, due to the large loads they carry and the pressures of the occupation, truck drivers can make life dangerous for other motorists.
Being a professional truck driver is tough work. Despite federal laws and regulations, the hours are long and the deadlines are difficult, adding pressure to drive fast and aggressively, often while sleep deprived. Some drivers may rely on prescription medications or over the counter medicines, or even alcohol and illegal drugs to cope. Truck drivers must often navigate unfamiliar roads and areas at night or bad weather and could be operating an eighteen-wheel behemoth that has not been properly maintained.
The average semi truck weighs as much as 25 times more than a car. Therefore, when the two collide in a traffic accident, the car comes out on the worse end more often than not. Passengers and drivers in smaller vehicles are susceptible to horrific injuries and even death, should an accident occur. A Houston semi truck accident lawyer, like those at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, can help if you are involved in a wreck with a tractor-trailer in the Houston, Texas area.
Because traffic accidents can result in dreadful consequences for all involved, it is important to know your rights as a victim. A negligent driver or trucking company can send you and loved ones to the hospital, or worse. Medical bills can pile up and wages may be lost as a result of not being able to work. Furthermore, there could be ongoing problems or conditions that make it difficult to get back on your feet. Talk with a lawyer to learn more about the compensation you could receive to cover the damages from a trucking accident.