The trucking industry is heavily regulated, as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial trucks pose a serious risk to other motorists. When a large truck is out of control, the result can be a disaster for innocent drivers and passengers who are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The trucking industry runs on tight schedules, with profits based on deliveries. Some types of actions taken by trucking firms could increase unsafe driving conditions.
Violating Trucking Regulations for Hours of Service
A tired truck driver is less able to react, and more prone to make a deadly mistake. The hours of service regulations require drivers to get sufficient rest. Unfortunately, pressure from a trucking firm to deliver a load on time can cause a driver to violate the regulation. Driver pay is associated with deliveries and may offer incentives for drivers who deliver on time. A truck driver has a tough job, may be supporting a family, and financial incentives could inspire a driver to continue to operate the vehicle when tired, putting others at risk.
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Failure to Maintain Safe Trucks
A commercial truck travels hundreds of miles a day and requires ongoing maintenance. Trucking firms may fail to perform the necessary maintenance to keep the vehicle in safe condition. Semi-truck brake pads must be replaced about every 30,000 miles, and air brakes have many components that require maintenance, with various components regularly replaced so the brakes are in good working order.
A trucking firm must maintain the safety of the truck. Various issues affect the safety of the vehicle, including the route traveled, as mountain roads, winding highways, and the weight of the cargo have an impact on the braking system. If a trucking firm failed to perform proper maintenance leading to a truck accident, the trucking firm may be held liable in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Commercial Truck Accidents – An Epidemic in the USA
Sharing the roadways with a commercial truck is dangerous at the best of times. Truckers are human and make errors. The massive weight (up to 80,000 lbs. when fully loaded), huge size, and challenges in controlling the size and weight of these vehicles has led to staggering numbers of fatal crashes. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) issues yearly reports. In A recent report, 5,237 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes – over 14 fatal collisions every day. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports 107,000 injury accidents in a recent year, almost 300 per day.
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Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in Burlington and New Hampshire have often been found to be the result of the following issues:
- Tired driver
- Distracted driver
- Drug or alcohol impaired driver
- Unevenly loaded cargo
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for weather conditions
- Faulty or defective parts
- Failure to maintain
- Truck driver error in merging, changing lanes
- Unsafe following distance
- Illegal maneuvers
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Filing Claims in Trucking Accident Cases: DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers
It is a sad fact that drivers and passengers traveling in regular vehicles are the most likely to be seriously injured in a truck accident, with the driver unharmed. Filing a claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for damages in a truck accident is often a complex legal battle. All liable parties must be identified, supporting evidence obtained and preserved, and the extent of the injuries and value of the claim determined. Trucking firms may be represented by teams of corporate attorneys who are focused on reducing the value of a claim. You need a talented litigator on your side to help you level the playing field.
Contact us Today – Free Case Consultation
At DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers, our truck accident lawyers in Boston have a reputation for success, and have recovered millions in damages for our clients over our years in practice. For a free case consultation about your case, reach out to us at one of our four offices:
- Methuen (main office): (978) 327-5140
- Boston: (617) 870-0907
- Burlington: (781) 262-3338
- Andover: (978) 258-7600
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