Commercial vehicle safety is a concern for many who share the nation’s roads and highways. With large commercial trucks shouldering much of the burden for shipping goods across the country, it is inevitable that accidents will occur. The injuries caused by truck accidents tend to be very serious, just by virtue of the size of a truck and the force of impact that can result when there is any kind of collision involving a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, an 18-wheeler truck, or another large truck.
There are numerous federal laws and regulations that govern the trucking industry, most of which can be found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The job of these laws is to prevent accidents by establishing standards that trucking companies, owners, and drivers must meet, and often determine who is responsible for a trucking accident. Agencies that regulate truck driving include the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Additionally, every state has their own set of trucking regulations.
Knowing how to prevent an accident is not the only protection you need. Personal injury cases involving truck accidents are more complex to pursue than traffic accidents involving cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, or bicycles.
If you have been in an accident with a truck, it is important to contact an injury lawyer who understands the mechanics and determining forces that can cause your injuries during a truck accident. Immediately getting an investigator to the accident scene to assess any damages or other evidence can help your case. Having an attorney review the truck’s maintenance records and examine the driver’s logbook to determine whether he or she violated any safety regulations, such as driving longer than the legally allowed number of hours per shift is critical. Commercial vehicle safety rules and regulations are often not enough to protect drivers, cyclists and pedestrians from the negligence of a few truck operators.
According to the epic wit of Jackie Mason, “If an Englishman gets run down by a truck he apologizes to the truck.” Don’t let this be you! You may need to drop the chivalry and play hardball in order to get reimbursed for hospital bills, and receive the appropriate compensation for your pain and suffering.
Request a Free Truck Accident Case Evaluation today.
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