Truck Collides with Parked 18-Wheeler
A motorist on the Katy Freeway has been seriously injured in an accident involving a pickup truck and an 18-wheeler early Wednesday. According to Houston Police reports, the truck collided with the back of a semi-tractor trailer rig that had been stopped in the emergency lane on the Katy Freeway near the Antoine exit at approximately 2:30 a.m. Witnesses say that the driver of the pickup driver had swerved from the outbound main lanes into the emergency lane for reasons that are unknown, causing him to impact with the stopped 18-wheeler. Police say that it was fortunate that although the driver was seriously injured in the crash, the passenger side of the truck suffered the most damage in the impact. The 18-wheeler’s driver was not hurt it the crash and he cause of the crash is still under investigation. Freeway accidents can be devastating and even deadly. Because of the higher number of vehicles on the road and the higher rates of speed, the chances of a serious accident increase when traveling on these kinds of roads.
There are many ways that motorists can lessen their chances of being involved in a serious accident and reach their destinations safely and without incident. These things become especially important when traveling on freeways and Interstate highways. Always wear a seatbelt – Most states have the requirement of drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts when a vehicle is moving. Children are required to be restrained in car or booster seats. Stay alert and aware – Always know what is going on around you. Focus on your driving, but always look out for the other guy. That other driver could be in front of you, behind you or beside you, or you might not see them at all. Be ready for anything when you get behind the wheel. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and those in front of you – Maintaining a proper following distance in order to insure safe stopping distances is key in avoiding accidents. Ideally, you should give yourself at least two car lengths between yourself and other vehicles. Driver the speed limit – Excessive speed is all too often the cause of many major accidents. To effectively avoid accidents, follow the posted speed limit guidelines on the road that you are traveling on. Respect other drivers, avoid distracted driving – In today’s tech-centric culture, it is far too easy to get distracted by our devices.
Avoid fussing with your digital music players, cellphones, and even video games when you are behind the wheel. In legal cases, obtaining phone records to determine whether or not a driver was distracted is a very simple matter. Don’t be tempted. Let another person handle digital device management. Keep your eyes and attention on the road. Also, be sure to turn down the volume on your radio or car stereo. You lessen your ability to hear emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire and police cars that may need to get around you. You need to be able to hear their sirens. Have a good spare tire, flares or other caution indicators if you need to stop – No one wants to be in a disabled vehicle on a busy highway or freeway. Get as far off onto the shoulder as possible, engage your emergency flashers. Dial 911 and wait for help to arrive. Do not get out of your vehicle into busy traffic lanes. Stay inside until assistance comes.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, give our offices a call. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Medical costs, time off of work, pain and suffering can be overwhelming. That is why having an experienced legal professional on your side is so important. When you call our offices, we will match you with an attorney who will listen to the details of your case and will offer suggestions on how to proceed with your case. Your lawyer can also act as a liaison between you and the insurance companies. Before you sign anything and take a settlement, find out what your case is really worth. Your initial consultation with our offices is confidential and without cost or obligation.