Earlier this week we discussed the case of Rainey Blaylock, a young Austin woman killed after colliding with an 18-wheeler. This week, drivers on Texas 71 and Interstate 35 South witnessed more fatalities involving 18-wheelers. For drivers in Texas, the importance of alert, careful driving has become painfully clear. Fatal car accidents are an unnervingly common occurrence in our world: this does not make them any less heartbreaking. In Bastrop County on Westbound 71, an SUV rear-ended a pickup truck, which then slammed into an 18-wheeler and caused a fire that was severe enough to damage the highway. The… Read More
A heartbreaking accident occurred last Wednesday when Rainey Blaylock, a young Austin woman driving to freshman orientation at Stephen F. Austin University, pulled into the path of an 18-wheeler. According to reports, the Webber construction company had been working on the overpass as part of an ongoing project. The company had installed a temporary flashing red light and stop sign in order to prevent disasters such as this. That night, however, the stop sign was down. Blaylock pulled forward and the driver of the 18-wheeler tried to brake, but was unable to do so in time. The young woman… Read More
Accidents are indiscriminate, they can happen to anyone. People of all socioeconomic classes have accidents and suffer injuries because of the negligence of another. People who have a good income through a skilled job can suddenly find they are injured and unable to return to that line of work and enjoy that level of earning potential. It can take months, even years, to be compensated for an injury. Many people have no place to turn except to government programs that can assist them in keeping their family sheltered and fed. Under the law, everyone has the right to be compensated… Read More
Getting into accidents with 18 wheelers is dangerous, scary and possibly deadly. Here are some tips for sharing the road with 18 wheelers; remember that road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and at the end of the day the most important thing is the preservation of our and each other’s lives. Don’t stay in blind spots Trucks and 18 wheelers have significantly larger and wider blind spots than normal cars. Make sure to avoid them. There are wide blind spots that wing out on each side of the truck as well as a very large blind spot behind the… Read More
Drivers who get behind the wheel while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs place others on public roads and highways in serious danger and at serious risk of suffering injuries and fatalities. When these drivers get behind the wheel of massive commercial trucks – including 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and other large freight bearing vehicles – the dangers and risks can increase dramatically. In fact, the Texas Department of Public Safety explicitly warns truck drivers against the use of alcohol when driving commercial vehicles, as alcohol impairment can negatively impact driving in a number of ways, including: Slowed reaction time to… Read More
