713-225-5050 
With every new year comes many new laws affecting Texas residents—some more obviously than others. You may not think a law increasing the amount of milk that trucks can legally carry has much impact on your life; however, this new law could also increase the number of dangerously large trucks on Texas roads and highways. SB 1383 increases the weight limit for tractor-trailers hauling milk from 80,000 pounds to 90,000 pounds on state highways, county roads, and farm-to-market roads with a permit for tandem-axle trailers. The permit costs $1,200, and the revenue will be split between the counties where the trucks run, the state highway fund, and the DMV. But while the permit may generate some additional income for the state, what will it cost us in serious truck accidents involving tandem-axle trailers?
What Are Tandem-Axle Trailers?
A tandem-axle trailer is a trailer with two axles, one behind the other. Compared to a single-axle trailer, a tandem-axle trailer travels down the road in a straight line more easily and can carry more weight because the two axles help disperse the weight load of the cargo. However, tandem-axle trailers tend to be harder to maneuver than single-axle trailers, and their turning radius is limited. Thus, truck drivers with tandem-axle trailers may have a difficult time avoiding a collision with another vehicle and may cause a truck collision due to the tandem-axle trailer’s limited range of motion.
Staggeringly High Number of Truck Accidents in Harris County
In 2017 (the most recent data available), there were 5,876 commercial vehicle crashes in Harris County, resulting in 47 fatalities and 143 suspected serious injuries. That’s more than any other county in Texas, and over 2,000 more crashes than in Dallas County, which had the next-highest numbers. Arguably, a new law allowing for heavier trucks on Texas roads won’t help the matter and could lead to even more tragic truck accidents.
Speak with an Experienced Houston Truck Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Houston area truck accident, please contact Houston, Texas personal injury attorney Charles J. Argento & Associates. During a free initial consultation, we will evaluate your potential truck accident claim, as well as your options for obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and damages. As your Houston truck accident lawyer, Mr. Argento accepts no legal fees until we recover on your behalf.
Related Links:
- The Difficulties of Getting Compensation after a Truck Accident
- What Happens if I Am Hurt in a Collision with an Uninsured Motorist in Texas?
- Use Driving Tips to Safely Share the Road with Trucks
- Oversized Truck Sends One Man to Hospital
- Dangers of Truck Accidents on I-10 in Houston
- Hours of Service Law and Truck Accidents in Texas
- Five-Truck Crash in Georgia Leads to Death and Injury
- Car Driver Injured after Houston Truck Accident