Everyday trucks move consumer goods and products from one side of the country to another. In fact, we rely heavily on the trucking industry to be able to get our products to us. What many don’t realize, is that many of our goods would cease to be available in our area without big rigs to transport them to us. However, when a big rig is in a collision with another vehicle, the results can be devastating.
Commercial vehicles are an essential function to consumerism, as a result, their is a tremendous amount of pressure for truckers to deliver things as quickly as possible. Although there are regulations for safe driving of commercial vehicles, one question remains: Are companies sacrificing safety for the sake of fast delivery? This is a question that commercial truck accident attorneys are all too familiar with. If you have been injured and are considering taking legal action, you may want to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Are There Trucking Regulations?
The Federal Motor Carrier Service Administration (FMCSA) imposes regulations on trucking companies in efforts to keep truckers and other drivers on the road safe from hazardous driving. Some trucking regulations include:
- The truck driver must complete a thorough inspection of the truck by looking over it, checking the maintenance report and making sure that any needed repairs have been taken care of.
- Clear records must be kept up to date and current, outlining the truck’s maintenance and any repairs, especially in regards to the truck’s brake system.
- Truck drivers are not to drive trucks that are in need of repairs.
- After a truck has been driven, the driver must lookover the truck and indicate in the log whether repairs or maintenance are needed.
- Limitations on the number of hours a trucker can drive within a week and rest requirements when hauling cargo.
- Truckers can drive for no longer than 11 hours in one day.
- Rest requirements once a certain number of hours are reached.
Failure to follow these regulations can result in hefty fines. When the proper care and maintenance of a big rig does not happen, the driver and company not only put themselves at risk but other drivers on the road. If an accident occurs and proper truck logs were not kept, both the truck driver and the company they work for may be liable.
Do Companies Circumvent Safety for Efficiency?
Truck drivers are put under tremendous pressure by the companies they work for to deliver the loads they are carrying as quickly as possible. Because of this, there can be a disregard in following safety regulations in place by the FMCSA in order to make faster deliveries. When unsafe trucking practices occur, other drivers on the road can become casualties. Some of the most common trucking accidents include:
- Driver’s not getting enough rest or driving exhausted
- Trucks that are not maintained
- Overloaded Trucks
- Driver’s that do not have the proper credentials
The thought of falling victim to a trucking accident is terrifying. If you have experienced a trucking accident, contact an attorney to determine the best course of action.
Taking action against the driver and trucking company can be a complicated process. In some cases, there may even be multiple insurance companies involved. Because of this, it is vital to have an attorney’s experience in navigating the insurance claims process. Maximize the settlement you have the opportunity to obtain by enlisting the help of a personal injury lawyer.
