Fortunately, big lorries are not all that common on our highways, but the bad news is that accidents involving the few that drive these roads can be highly dangerous and fatal. This should not come as a surprise after all, as a fully loaded 18-wheel lorry could weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Fatality should be expected with accidents involving these big trucks.

A crash involving a big lorry and other road users would definitely lead to severe injuries and death, especially in the most severe of crashes. The weight of the lorry is usually the first thing that comes to mind when considering the factors that contributes to the large number of deaths and injuries in lorry accidents. However, the load that the lorry is carrying at the point of the accident is another vital factor to consider, especially when the load is flammable such as gas.

An 18-wheel truck can carry up to three hundred gallons of gas at once. If a crash occurs and if unfortunately, the tank gets compromised, it can lead to gas leakage along the highway. This would ultimately result in a huge fire outbreak. Such fire outbreaks when they start are usually almost impossible to be extinguished until the fuel finally burns off.

Many states have enacted strict laws stating where lorries can and cannot have access to. A lorry driver that does not adhere to these laws and gets involved in an accident, thus leading to the death or injury of another person, would definitely face the wrath of the law.

Beware of the Dangers

As a road user, it is crucial that you not only recognize the dangers of sharing the same road with these big lorries carrying huge amounts of dangerous and potentially explosive materials, but also acknowledge that they have high chances of causing death. You should know that driving too close to a big 18-wheel lorry doesn’t only put your life in danger, but also the lives of your passengers. Hence, you should always put some distance between your vehicle and such lorries.

If you want to overtake a truck carrying a hazardous material however, ensure that you give the right signal and not just attempt to speed up past the truck.

You should contact Texas truck accident lawyer Greg Baumgartner if you have been involved in a lorry accident. His firm will not just look into your case, they would offer you a no obligation consultation and would help you proceed with a case, if you would like to make a claim for compensation.