Michael Irvin Talks With Thompson Law About Big Truck Wrecks

Michael Irvin Talks Truck Wrecks

Michael Irvin, Former Dallas Cowboy on Truck Wrecks with Personal Injury Attorney Ryan Thompson. Ā 

As you may have already heard on the radio, former Dallas Cowboys player andĀ Hall of FameĀ wide receiverĀ Michael IrvinĀ was recently back in the studio withĀ Ryan Thompson to discuss the importance of having a personal injury attorney when you are involved in an 18 wheeler accident.Ā  As the retired Dallas CowboyĀ and injury attorney Ryan Thompson discussed, unfortunately, some commercial trucking companies over-work their employees, thus leading to very dangerous conditions on the road. In fact, when big truck drivers are behind the wheel for more than the regulated number of hours, they aren’t just endangering other drivers; they are committing a crime.Ā Ā 

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the number of hours aĀ commercial vehicle operatorĀ may driver per day, as well as the total number of hours they may work per week. These rules and regulations are put in place for not only the safety of the driversĀ of big rigsĀ butĀ alsoĀ for the safety of those sharing the roadsĀ with semis. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hasĀ put together a table of regulationsĀ that outline the parameters around hour caps forĀ commercial transportĀ drivers.Ā 

Every year, nearlyĀ 450,000Ā truck crashes occur in the United StatesĀ involving single or multiple vehicles, and often including pedestrians,Ā bicyclists, and nonmotorized vehicles. Trucks refer to 18-wheelers, cement trucks, buses, coal trucks, garbage trucks,Ā truck tractors pulling a semi-trailer(s),Ā and similar commercial vehicles. 68% of those accidents were passengers in motor vehicles, while 15% were bicyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians.Ā Ā 

Due to the size and weight of trucks, fatalities and catastrophic injuries are all too common in accidents involving these vehicles.Ā  It takes much longer to stop a tractor-trailer than the average motor vehicleĀ due to their size and weight. The weight of the average motor vehicle is 2.5 tons, while a truck can weighĀ as much asĀ 40 tons. To illustrate this point, if a tractor-trailer and vehicle are both driving at 40 mph and start to brake at the same moment, the tractor-trailer will travel 45 feet further before being able to come to a complete stop.Ā Ā 

While passenger cars need 306 feet to stop after braking, tractor-trailers need 525 feetĀ or roughlyĀ the length of 1.5 football fields!Ā Speed and sometimes carrying cargo beyond the truck’s allowed capacity also play factorsĀ when applying the brakes. The faster a vehicle is traveling the longer it takes to come to a stop.Ā Ā 

High Fatality Rate in Truck Wrecks

According to a report byĀ the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, from 2016 to 2017 the number of trucks involved in fatal crashes increased by 10% from 4,251 to 4,657 fatalities. While most accidents had more than one contributing factor, vehicle failure, overcompensating, following too closely,Ā overloading, top-loading,Ā fatigue, and physical impairment were among theĀ primaryĀ contributing factorsĀ to most truck wrecks.Ā Ā 

When an accidentĀ involving a semi-truck results in death orĀ seriousĀ injuries, large settlements are not uncommonĀ given the size of the commercial vehicle insurance policies they carry. Truck accidents account for $20 billion per year inĀ accident injuryĀ settlements, withĀ overĀ half of that amount being awarded toĀ accidentĀ victims.Ā Ā 

The FMCSA requires all trucking companies to be insuredĀ with large insurance policies. For example, carriers with non-hazardous items that weigh under 10,000 pounds of freightĀ have toĀ be insured forĀ at leastĀ $300,000. The required policy amount depends on the weight and type of load being hauled. Trucks carrying heavier loads and those carrying hazardous materials can be required to carry between $750,000 and $5 million in insurance coverage per incident, and often carry even largerĀ commercial insurance policies.Ā Ā 

While with accident attorney Ryan Thompson, the former Cowboy noted car wrecks and truck wrecksĀ canĀ vary in intensity,Ā which leads to differentĀ typesĀ and severityĀ of injuries suffered. TypicalĀ types of injuriesĀ from truck wreck can sometimes be similar to those suffered in football and canĀ include:Ā spinal andĀ neck injuries, concussions,Ā traumaticĀ brain injuriesĀ (TBIs), brokenĀ or fracturedĀ bones,Ā ligament and tendon damage, cartilage damage,Ā soft tissue and organ damage.Ā Ā Ā 

Sometimes the injuries can be even more severe and include dismemberment, permanent impairments, and even death.Ā Ā Burn injuries may also occur as a result of the accident due to crash-related fires and explosions, as well as the force of airbag deployments. If the accident involves a tanker truck carrying corrosive chemicals, chemical burnsĀ canĀ occur. BurnĀ injuries require a long period of recovery and treatment, often require skin grafts,Ā and can result in death due to infection.Ā Ā 

Large Truck Crash CausationĀ 

According to the Large Truck Crash Causation study done for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)Ā analyzing data on commercial vehicles involved in collisions:Ā 

  • 27% ofĀ trucksĀ were found to have brake problemsĀ 
  • 19% of drivers were unfamiliar with the routeĀ 
  • 10% of truck drivers felt they were under pressureĀ Ā 
  • 7% were overly tiredĀ 
  • 5% were driving in an aggressive mannerĀ Ā 
  • 3% experienced tire problems, such as detrendingĀ 
  • 1%Ā of truck driversĀ were illĀ at the time of the truck accidentĀ 
  • 0.4% were under the influence ofĀ drugs or otherĀ illegal substancesĀ 
  • 0.3% had consumed alcoholĀ and/or were intoxicatedĀ 

Call Ryan ā€œThe Lionā€ Thompson 844-308-8180 Today! Ā 

If you have been injured in an accident with a large truck,Ā former Dallas Cowboys player Michael Irvin endorses theĀ accident attorneysĀ at Thompson Law toĀ work hard toĀ help youĀ with yourĀ truck accident injury case.Ā Often timesĀ 18-wheeler accidentsĀ requireĀ extensiveĀ investigation. For example, just because a driver’s hour log sheet may seem to comport with the law, that does not mean the actual number of hours the driver spent on the road match the hours on the log. Thompson Law’s robust and experienced team of investigators and attorneysĀ are able toĀ uncover details that can help to establish liability.Ā Ā Call us atĀ 844-308-8180Ā for a free consultation and to have your questions answered.Ā Ā 

Thompson Law’s Guarantee

Thompson Law offersĀ free case reviewsĀ to every potential client so we can help you determine the best legal approach to pursue.Ā We receive no attorney fees and you pay no legal expenses unless you get compensated for your accident.

Thompson Law’s personal injury lawyers and their legal teams treat every client with respect, empathy, and compassion. We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, as every case is unique and different.Ā Our firm won 15 of theĀ top 50 settlements in Texas in 2021, as well as the 2nd and 3rd largest personal injury settlements in the State in 2020.Ā We can help you, too.

State law limits the time to file a claim following a personal injury accident. If you have been injured, call now for the help you need.