While accidents are a normal occurrence in our lives, truck accidents have been a nightmare for the citizens of Houston, Texas. This is because they either cause severe damage or death, and there is no other way around. In this article, we will delve into the world of accidents that involve trucks, trying to find long-term solutions to help mitigate the issue which has become a big concern to Houston citizens
Contents
What are truck accidents?
These are accidents that involve large commercial vehicles which end up causing severe damage or wrongful death. They mainly occur as a result of the following factors;
· Fatigue
Large-capacity trucks are normally used to transport heavy commercial goods for long distances. Some of the goods include; vehicles, and industrial machinery among others. Due to this, the drivers spend so many hours on the road. In instances where goods are to be delivered to the nearing states, they even spend up to two weeks on the road. As a result, they end up suffering from severe fatigue which can contribute to them causing accidents.
· Unqualified drivers
The intensity, weight, and purpose of trucks dictate that they can only be operated by trained individuals. In cases where they are driven by unqualified drivers, there is a high risk of accidents.
· Poor weather conditions
Poor weather conditions affect the visibility of truck drivers, which might result in them causing accidents.
· Poor maintenance of roads
Defects on the roads act as a high risk for the occurrence of accidents. This also applies during truck travels. When the roads have potholes and dented spaces there is a high chance of accidents.
· Non-compliance with traffic rules
There are strict rules that are put in place to regulate the conduct of road users in Texas. Failure to comply with the laws and standards might result in the occurrence of accidents.
· Intoxication
This entails driving vehicles under the influence of drugs. Drugs are naturally known for their ability to make people not be in a position to make a sound judgment. Therefore, driving under the influence of drugs might result to the occurrence of accidents.
· Poor maintenance
Based on the intense work that trucks do, they are required to be taken for maintenance services at least once a month. Failure to do this will result in them having defects that result in the commission of accidents.
Consequences of truck accidents
The aftermath of truck accidents is always intense, where either someone is injured badly, or they are dead. Some of the most common consequences of truck accidents include;
· Death
This is the most common result of truck accidents. Due to the heaviness and the impact produced upon causing the accident, any person rarely comes out of that situation alive.
· Traumatic brain injury
In cases where one doesn’t die from the accident, the impact on the head normally results in a severe traumatic brain injury. The injury in most cases ends up dysfunctioning the operations of that individual’s brain for a lifetime.
· Spinal injury
The impact that results from the accident, can result in the breaking of the spinal code, rendering the victim paralyzed for the rest of their lives.
· Severe bone breakage
The impact from the crush normally results in severe bone breakage, forcing the victim to undergo surgery and undergo a lifetime of medication.
· Burns
Most of the times the accident result in explosions which end up causing severe burns to the individual.
· Internal bleeding
The accidents may also result in internal bleeding, which if not treated early can result in long-life complications or even death.
What you should do upon the occurrence of truck accidents
Having noted that truck accidents are the most dangerous types of accidents, it is important to be aware of the steps that you can take when you go through one. The key steps that you should take include;
· Perform first aid on the victim
The injuries on the victims of truck accidents are always severe, this means that failure to react as soon as possible might result in their death. First aid practices include; moving the victim away from the fire and stopping a bleeding wound among other things would save their life as they wait for medical help.
· Call a medical emergency team
This involves calling helplines such as 911 for emergency medical services.
· Report the incident to the police
If you are a witness to a truck accident, you are required to report it to the police through their helpline for them to take necessary action.
· Collecting the belongings of the victims
To secure the belongings of the victims, you can collect them from wherever they are scattered and submit them to the police for further action.
· Appointing a legal representative
If your loved one was tragically killed or severely injured in a truck accident in, it is essential to get an attorney to represent you in court. This will allow you to heal. In cases of wrongful death, the attorney will represent you up to the completion of the process, giving you time to grieve your loved one.
Safety measures that can be taken to mitigate truck accidents
Considering the intensity of harm caused by accidents that involve trucks, various steps have to be taken to ensure the safety of its users. Some of the measures that they can take include;
· Training
This involves teaching the owners and users the basic principles of operating and driving trucks. After successfully undergoing the training, individuals will be confident to drive trucks even for long distances without causing accidents.
· Licensing
This is a form of permit given to truck drivers as proof of their mastery of skills and all the laws about the use of roads.
· Regular maintenance
Truck owners and drivers should have their trucks checked regularly to avoid failures and defects of their parts on serious and busy roads.
· Wear protective gears
This involves putting on seatbelts and ensuring that the airbags are fully functional. This will prevent severe injuries in case of a crash.
· Avoid drunk riding
Taking alcohol affects a person’s ability to think clearly. it is therefore a common practice among drivers, that they should avoid anything to do with drunk driving.
· Avoid over-speeding
trucks should also strive to maintain the speed limit recommended by the authorities to prevent the occurrence of accidents.
· investigation
This entails the process of investigating the condition of the truck before purchasing it. This will ensure that you purchase a truck that is free of defects.
· Avoid riding when the weather conditions are not friendly
Anytime you notice that the weather conditions are not that friendly, be aware that vision on the road can likely impaired. Therefore, avoid driving your trucks until the weather regains normalcy.
The place of the government in mitigating truck accidents
The government has an initiative to mitigate or bring an end to the increasing truck accidents in Houston, Michigan. Some of the measures that they can take include;
- Strict legal compliance measures
- Coming up with the maximum hours that a driver can work in a week
- Tough disciplinary measures for truck drivers who cause accidents
- Improve the infrastructure
- Put up quality measures that manufacturers should comply with
- Conduct mass education and training programs on road safety
Conclusion
The rising concern of truck accidents in Houston, Michigan is not a play game. This therefore calls for a lot of effort from involved parties to ensure that no more lives are lost on the roads.
