Most motorists are aware of the dangers of operating near semi-trucks.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nearly
4,000 people were killed and another 83,000 injured in
accidents involving large trucks in 2015. Due to the sheer size and weight of the average commercial truck,
these types of accidents can be incredibly damaging. To make matters worse,
multiple parties may be at fault for a crash. Understanding commercial
trucking industry regulations and how they relate to the legal rights
of vehicle drivers can make a difference when it comes to your recovery
process and appropriate compensation.
Factors that may influence your claim:
- Commercial truck drivers must adhere to strict regulations with respect
to how long they are allowed to stay on the road before they need to rest.
In an effort to make deadlines, however, some drivers have been known
to violate these rules and drive while fatigued, under the influence or
distracted.
State and federal agencies that regulate trucking activities, such as the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) will now require carriers to use electronic logging
devices by December 18th, 2017 rather than a paper log book due to numerous
reports of truck drivers falsifying their logs in order to drive longer
and further than mandated. Obtaining and analyzing this information can
be crucial to your case, and these electronic log books will ensure that
accurate data was documented. An experienced lawyer will demand this information
be presented following a crash for analytics.
- It’s the responsibility of trucking companies to not only make sure
their drivers are compliant with FMCSA’s regulations, but also to
make sure their trucks are in good operating condition. Deferring maintenance
on a truck for any reason can affect how well it reacts in an emergency
situation. Understanding the mechanics of large commercial vehicles and
what to look for can make a difference in your case, especially if liability
is disputed by the trucking company’s insurer.
- Snow, ice, fog and heavy rain all impact visibility and can make it difficult
for truck drivers to maintain control of their vehicles. Like all motorists,
truck drivers must adjust their speed and take special precautions when
driving in hazardous conditions. Measuring speed, distance between locations
and other related facts (including road or weather conditions) may help
to substantiate your claim. As of late, many fatal truck collisions have
been caused by a truck driver either following a vehicle too closely,
or not maintaining a safe speed.
If you were injured or a loved one suffered life threatening injuries or
death in a commercial truck accident, it pays to learn about your rights
and what evidence should be presented soon after a collision from an experienced
trucking accident attorney. For years, the attorneys at Tabor Law Firm
have been members of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking
Lawyers of America (APITLA), and Roy Tabor is one of two members on the
advisory board for Indiana. Additionally, the Tabor’s are members
of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. With more than 75 years of
combined legal experience,
Tabor Law Firm has the knowledge, skill and tenacity needed to help you recover damages
for pain and suffering, medical expenses, past and future wage loss, and
in some tragic situations, funeral and burial costs. Located in Indianapolis,
our dedicated legal team serves clients across Indiana. Arrange a free
consultation with one of our attorneys by calling (317) 236-9000 or
contact us online.
