The trucking industry is heavily regulated, with laws in place to prevent tractor trailer accidents.
These laws are designed to protect both truck drivers and the vehicles they share the road with – but they are not always followed. Many truckers ignore regulations, and because this typically maximizes profit, the commercial trucking companies look the other way.
When you consider the sheer size of commercial rigs and the speed at which they travel, it’s no surprise that trucking accidents can be devastating. These large trucks are unable to stop quickly, and this all too often has fatal consequences. In addition to injury or death, trucking accidents can result in serious property damage.
Truck drivers are not always to blame. Sometimes truck accidents are the result of negligent or reckless car drivers. They often fail to consider the tractor trailer’s speed, size, and braking ability. These scenarios may result in a dangerous truck accident:
- Driving in the truck’s “No-Zone,” the area behind and beside a commercial truck where the truck driver has limited or zero visibility.
- Changing lanes unexpectedly in front of a truck.
- Driving to the right of a truck that is making a right turn.
- Misjudging an approaching truck’s speed at an intersection, and turning left in front of it.
- Merging improperly into traffic, forcing a truck to react quickly.
- Failing to slow down or speed up when a truck begins to change lanes or merge.
- Passing unsafely.
- Pulling into traffic in front of a truck without speeding up sufficiently.
- Weaving in between large trucks.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances.
- Driving while distracted.
Semi-truck drivers are required to comply with Hours of Service Regulations, rules that dictate how long they can drive. Large trucks on the road today must have an electronic logging device (ELD) that provides a track record of the following:
- Hours driven
- Miles driven
- Inspections completed
These regulations are put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to prevent driver fatigue – and the car accidents that are often the unfortunate result.
Trucking companies, with profit as their priority, often overlook the following:
- Inadequate truck driver training
- Driver fatigue
- Unsecured, improperly loaded or overloaded cargo
- Improper trailer connection
- Truck mechanical failure (including tire blowout)
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Distracted driving habits
- Inclement weather condition
- Failure to check blind spots or maintain proper distance from other vehicles
Truck accident cases can be very complex – especially when the trucking company denies liability. These complicated cases require a personal injury lawyer with a solid understanding of trucking laws and regulations. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, trust The Mike Hostilo Law Firm to get you the compensation you deserve.
Keep in mind that multiple insurance companies could be involved. This may lead to time-consuming negotiations with insurers representing the trucker, the trucking company, the manufacturer, the cargo owner, etc.
Let our truck accident lawyers handle your personal injury claim so you can focus on your recovery. While you heal from your injuries, we will work on your behalf to recover the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
If you or a loved one have been injured in a trucking accident, contact our personal injury law firm. We are proud to serve clients throughout South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, so get in touch today to schedule your free consultation.
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