Authorities reported earlier this week that an 18-wheeler Amazon delivery truck had fallen off the northeast side of N Loop 1604 near Lookout Road shortly before 5:00 a.m. A recent article reports that it is unclear what caused the accident. According to the article, witnesses saw the 18-wheeler truck veer into the right lane, hitting the guardrail and a gantry before falling off of the highway and on to the turnaround roadway area below. Authorities reported that both the driver and co-driver of the truck are seriously injured and being hospitalized.
A local news channel reported that the morning’s heavy fog may have been a factor in the collision, but noted that it appeared the driver had lost control of the 18-wheeler in the moments before the accident. Crews were on the scene picking up packages that had been scattered all over the highway, and cranes are currently being used to support the gantry, which nearly collapsed as a result of the accident and could have caused countless more injuries to highway drivers.
Common Reasons for 18-Wheelers to Lose Control:
- Poor driving conditions. 18-wheelers can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when they are loaded with cargo. This means that even in ideal driving conditions, it takes an 18-wheeler up to 5x longer to come to a complete stop than it would a standard passenger vehicle. If roads are slick, icy, or wet, it can be impossible for such a heavy truck to come to a stop at all. Additionally, if visibility is poor, for instance, because of heavy fog, it may be too late to come to a complete stop by the time the driver is able to see what is in front of them.
- Overloading. Each truck has a maximum weight that it can safely transport. However, sometimes cargo companies ignore this limit in an effort to save money. This puts the truck at increased risk of collision, as it will take longer than the driver is used to to come to a stop, and will also increase the risk of overturning and other kinds of collisions depending on how the cargo is distributed.
- Tired or overworked Drivers. A fatigued driver is said to be as dangerous as a drunk driver. Although drivers have legal limits on how long they are allowed to drive without rest, trucking companies often pressure their employees to ignore these limits in order to save money and meet tight deadlines. This can result in exhausted drivers with reduced responsiveness and dramatically increase the risk of an accident.
- Reckless Driving. Some truck drivers may be inclined to drive recklessly in an attempt to make their deliveries as fast as possible–the more deliveries they make, the more money they make, and sometimes there are even bonuses tied to timeliness that can promote poor decision-making.
- Distracted Driving. Some semi-truck drivers are behind the wheel for as many as 18 hours a day. It makes sense that they may get distracted or try to send a text while driving, but it can also be deadly when driving an 80,000 pound piece of equipment.
Talk to a San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured by an 18-wheeler in a collision that was not your fault, it is important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Contact the truck accident attorneys at Eric Ramos Law, PLLC to schedule a free consultation today. There are no fees until we win your case.