Large commercial trucks are one of the primary ways of transporting goods across the Lonestar state. Many semi-trucks carry everyday items such as produce, clothing, furniture, or electronics. However, there are also trucks on the road carrying extremely dangerous materials.

Hazardous materials such as explosives, toxic gases, flammable liquids, and corrosive substances can be incredibly dangerous. In the event of an accident involving a truck carrying hazardous materials, these dangerous chemicals may be released into the air or onto the road. The materials may catch fire, exponentially increasing the severity of the situation.

If you or someone you care about was involved in an accident involving a hazmat truck, reach out to a truck accident injury attorney for help. You will likely face life-changing consequences because of the accident, including substantial financial losses. Your attorney can help you file a claim to pursue compensation for these losses.

Speed limits exist to keep motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe. However, traveling faster than the posted speed limit is common. One study found that approximately half of all drivers admit to speeding from time to time.

If you were hurt in a car crash caused by another driver and you were speeding, you may have questions about your right to recover compensation for vehicle repairs, medical bills, and other expenses. You may wonder whether you have the same entitlement to compensation as someone who was obeying the speed limit.

As with many legal matters, the answer to this question depends on several factors. In this blog, we will explore Texas laws regarding comparative negligence in a car accident case as well as what you can do if you were injured in a crash while speeding.

Few things are more frightening than spotting a driver who is staring down at their phone or another distraction headed right for you, oblivious to your presence. Distracted driving accidents can be terrifying - and are generally completely preventable. The frustrating thing about car accidents involving an inattentive driver is how easily the at-fault party could have prevented the accident just by paying attention to the road. Distracted driving is not only dangerous, but it may be illegal in certain scenarios. Using a cell phone while driving may earn Texas drivers a ticket except in certain circumstances. If you were injured by a driver who was distracted by their cell phone or any other attention-grabbing stimuli other than the road, they may be financially liable to you for your injuries and other damages. It is generally best to work with an attorney while pursuing compensation for a distracted driving accident. 

Can Texas Drivers Use Cell Phones at All?

Cell phones are a very, very common culprit in distracted driving accidents. While Texas state law allows drivers over the age of 18 to talk on their phones using hands-free technology, some cities and municipalities have enacted their own ordinances prohibiting even this use of a phone. 

Otherwise, drivers in Texas may only use their phones in limited situations. For example, a driver may use their phone while stopped at a red light. Devices may also be used for things like navigation and playing music, if the car itself is not equipped with these integrations. Vehicles with integrated infotainment systems are still relatively new, and there is not yet a significant amount of legislation pertaining to their use. 

Delivery drivers go a long way toward making our lives more convenient. With everyone back to their post-pandemic busy schedules, you may not always have time to physically go to a store to search for the things you need. Using services like Amazon or UPS and FedEx can be much easier than driving around town looking for an item. The same is true for food deliveries - many families do not have the time or energy to cook every night. Parents can simply order dinner from their cell phones rather than loading young children into the car to go to a restaurant. 

However, there is no guarantee that all delivery drivers are as skilled behind the wheel as one would hope. These jobs often have high turnover, and drivers are often forced to make an unreasonable amount of stops in a short time. If you or your child have been injured by a delivery driver, you may be entitled to compensation. 

How Delivery Schedules Create Unsafe Driving Conditions

One of the main reasons that delivery drivers become involved in accidents is that they are always in a rush. National delivery companies often set schedules to which drivers cannot safely adhere. Amazon delivery drivers, as well as those who deliver for companies like DoorDash and GrubHub, are typically independent contractors who are paid per delivery, rather than hourly. This scheme can push drivers to make as many deliveries as possible as quickly as possible. 

Most parents, when asked whether they would allow their teenager to drive a tractor-trailer, would probably answer with a resounding “no.” However, a new law has gone into effect that will allow people as young as 18 years old to drive semi-trucks across state lines. While most states allow some semi-truck operation by those under 21 years old, they have traditionally been restricted from long-haul drives that take them out of the state. The danger associated with these enormous vehicles has many people concerned that the highways could become less safe with the passage of this new law. 

If you are injured in a big rig accident, it is important to seek prompt medical attention and then call an attorney. The sooner your lawyer can start investigating the crash on your behalf, the more likely it is that critical evidence at the scene of the accident will be found and properly documented in time. 

Why Was This Law Passed?

The short answer is that there is a labor shortage across the board, in nearly all industries, including commercial trucking. When trucks are not running because there is no one to drive them, deliveries do not get made, and then you start to see empty shelves at the supermarket. Lawmakers hope to expand the labor force available to drive trucks in order to keep the supply chain moving.