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Christopher Johns • Mar 08, 2019

Major Lane Closure and One Injured After HAZMAT Spill on Sugarland Highway

On Wednesday, March 6, at approximately 4:40 am, an 18-wheeler accident caused lane closures on the highway in Sugarland.

The 18-wheeler was traveling along Highway 59 near Sweetwater Boulevard when the accident occurred. A spillage of hazardous materials caused major delays for commuters.

One person was carried off by LifeFlight. The individual suffered head injuries, none of which were life-threatening.

The northbound lanes reopened later in the day. A police investigation into the cause of the collision is still underway.

Fatal Collision Truck Accident Statistics

The U.S. Department of Transportation provides information regarding fatal highway accidents from 1975 through 2016. The findings are as follows:

  • In 2016, there was a total of 4,317 fatalities in large truck accidents.
  • 145,000 individuals faced injuries in large truck crashes in 2016.

Statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation regarding Texas collisions, including those of large trucks, show:

  • In 2017, there were 24,784 semi/ tractor trucks involved in collisions.
  • There were 433 fatal crashes involving semi/tractor trucks in 2017.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act

Laws regarding how long a commercial truck driver may operate, details on HAZMAT safety, weight restrictions, and insurance types required for certain vehicles are mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The FMCSA has set a limit on the number of consecutive hours of a driver may operate their vehicle. A commercial driver may only drive their vehicle for 11 consecutive hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

Violation of this rule results in an $11,000 fine if the driver exceeds 3 hours of operation beyond the 11-hour driving limit. Drivers may only work 14 hours in a single day if 3 of those hours are non-driving related tasks.

Local City Ordinances

Every city may have its own specific ordinances on how commercial vehicles may travel along their roads and highways. As per Chapter 45 of Houston’s Code of Ordinances , there are regulations in place regarding the transportation of hazardous materials, vehicle weight limits, restricted access lanes, and many others in order to protect the drivers of the city.

Ignoring any of these ordinances is an act of negligence on behalf of the driver or truck company.

Have you or a loved one suffered injuries and damages as the result of an accident involving a commercial truck?

The Houston truck accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns have years of experience litigating these types of accidents and understand how to help you deal with negligent companies and their shady insurance providers.

 

Contact Lapeze & Johns today at 713-766-0075 to take action against the commercial truck driver or trucking company that caused your suffering.

Truck Accidents and Your Insurance Rates

By Keith Lapeze • 01 Mar, 2022
A serious truck accident can effect your life in all sorts of expected and unexpected ways. While you might already be thinking about things like medical expenses and day-to-day spending, you might be surprised the next time you pay your car insurance premium. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Texas, you deserve […] The post Truck Accidents and Your Insurance Rates first appeared on Lapeze & Johns.

1 Dead After a Fiery Single-Vehicle Accident

By Christopher Johns • 24 Feb, 2022
One driver is dead after their car caught fire in a single-vehicle accident in Dallas, TX. The crash occurred around 2:21 a.m. on Thursday, February 24, on the 11880 North Central Expressway. The Fiery Accident On Thursday, February 24, around 2:21 a.m. a driver was on the northbound side of the 11880 North Central Expressway […] The post 1 Dead After a Fiery Single-Vehicle Accident first appeared on Lapeze & Johns.

How Common are Industrial Accidents in Texas?

By Keith Lapeze • 24 Feb, 2022
Industrial accidents can affect not only the employees working at a plant, but also the residents in the surrounding areas. These accidents can cause burns, lung damage, and brain injuries to anyone who comes into contact. In Texas where chemical plants are common, these accidents are particularly frequent. Learn more about exactly how common and […] The post How Common are Industrial Accidents in Texas? first appeared on Lapeze & Johns.
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