The trucking industry, like most forms of transportation, is heavily regulated. While this may provide peace of mind, you may be disappointed to discover that some take advantage of these rules, opting to disregard them. As a result, these negligent companies and truckers put themselves and others on the road at risk. If you suffered injuries in a collision with a tractor-trailer, understanding the regulations in place can impact the outcome of your case. Keep reading to learn more about these rules and discover how truck accident attorneys can assist you through these challenging times.
What are the most important regulations the trucking industry imposes?
One of the most essential trucking industry regulations surrounds how many hours drivers are allowed to work. Though driving may not seem as strenuous as working on a construction site, drivers can suffer from exhaustion, falling asleep behind the wheel. As such, many accidents can happen, causing severe injuries and death. To help deter these instances, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has established that drivers are prohibited from working more than eleven hours. Similarly, drivers must take a thirty-minute break after working eight hours.
Another necessary regulation surrounds ensuring these vehicles are safe for travel. As some can weigh up to forty tons, checking to guarantee these vehicles are safe to hit the roads is vital. Failure to ensure a vehicle is up to standard can cause unnecessary accidents.
It’s important to realize that these regulations are in place because companies often prioritize profits over safety. As such, companies encourage or even threaten drivers to cut corners. Whether this is driving extra hours or skipping inspections to make as much money as possible, this can put lives at risk.
How do these regulations impact truck accident claims?
If it’s discovered that regulations were violated leading to an accident, it’s important to understand that this is considered negligence and will be taken into consideration when determining the outcome of your case. However, you should note that the courts will determine if the driver failed to meet their duty of care towards others on the road. For example, they may have disregarded the speed limit or were driving under the influence.
It’s important to consider that you must have evidence backing up the claim that the truck driver at fault, or the company they work for, was negligent and disregarded regulations. Luckily, an experienced attorney has the resources necessary to help prove these instances.
When injured due to a negligent truck driver or their employer, it’s imperative to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to improve your chances of receiving justice and recovering compensation. The experienced team at Friedman Schuman can help you through these challenging times. Contact us today to learn how we will fight for the compensation you deserve when someone disregards the regulations in place to keep you safe.
