It is the unfortunate reality that hundreds of accidents occur on Houston roadways annually. Worse is knowing that most of these accidents could have been prevented with a little - if not an abundance - of caution.
The scope of the problem can be considered to be at epic proportions. In a recent year over four hundred deaths in Texas occurred due to accidents between semi tractor trailers and automobiles.
In simpler terms - an average of fifty large truck accidents happen on Texas roads every single day - one of which results in a fatality on a daily basis.
The occupation of semi truck driver has stressors unique to the job. Moreover, the trucking industry is designed to encourage drivers to take unnecessary risks in order to increase their earnings.
Most commercial trucking companies have structured their pay scale so that the driver gets paid for moving goods between two points as quickly as possible.
In short, the more trips a truck driver makes the more money he is able to earn. Unfortunately this has led to a number of risky behaviors on the part of semi truck drivers that can lead to tragedy.
Speeding and aggressive driving, fatigue and poor vehicle maintenance are some examples of hazardous driving demeanors that will nearly guarantees tragedy will ensue.
When an accident occurs because of ones negligence then they should be legally liable for any and all damages. Unfortunately, in Texas most folks believed the misstatements and false promises of tort reformers and could never believe that an auto accident or a truck crash will injure anyone in their family.
It is those same people who come to our offices every day with real injury or wrongful death cases and exclaim when tort reform is explained to them “that’s not fair”.
Finding some justice in Texas is still possible, its just a system now designed to be unfair to real victims, and kind to insurance carriers and foreign manufacturers profiting on our Texas dollars.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston injury attorney who handles Texas 18-wheeler injury cases.
