Types of trucking company negligence
In our previous post , we talked about the federal laws that trucking companies must follow in order to reduce the risk of accidents on the road. Even with these safety regulations in place, the number of trucking accidents are on the rise. If you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck you should be aware of how different these cases can be compared to auto accidents.
For one thing, if you have been injured, you may be able to hold both the truck driver and the commercial trucking company responsible if there is any negligence involved. Read on to learn the different kinds of truck driver negligence we encounter at our firm.
Some of the most common cases of truck accident negligence can include failure to:
- ensure trucks are properly maintained, loaded, balanced and secured
- provide adequate driver training
- conduct adequate background checks on drivers
- adhere to federal regulations concerning driver travel and sleep time
Commercial vehicle maintenance
Truck drivers have to maintain their vehicles to ensure the tires, brakes, and all aspects of the truck are in proper working order. What's more, federal law limits the total weight of commercial vehicles to 80,000 pounds. Improperly loaded vehicles can lead to accident hazards.
Hiring and training adequate drivers
It is the responsibility of trucking companies to perform background checks on drivers and to make sure they do not have a history of safety or driving violations. Providing sufficient and adequate training is also another aspect that companies where trucking companies are frequently negligent.
Truck driver travel and sleep time
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has revised its driver regulations concerning the number of hours truck drivers can drive before they need to sleep. The revisions were based on recent scientific evidence that shows the number of hours people need before they can safely operate vehicles. Violations of these regulations lead to accidents on the road.
Trucking accident litigation is complex and if you have been involved in a trucking accident you should have someone on your side from the beginning. Our firm works with a team of experts to investigate an accident and hold every party responsible if there is negligence involved. Call toll-free 877-342-2020 for a free case review by board certified personal injury attorneys today. If you are looking for a Texas truck accident attorney, call today.
Learn why truck driver logs are important.
Read our blog post to learn factors involved in a trucking accident lawsuit .