Trucking Accidents Attorney
If you or someone close to you was involved in a truck crash and you are a victim, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. This could include medical expenses as well as lost wages and damage to property.
In order to file a claim for compensation you must prove that someone else was responsible for your accident due to negligence. Also, you must prove that you were a victim of economic and non-economic losses.
The law requires Trucking Companies to Maintain Detailed Records
Trucking companies are required to maintain detailed records on numerous issues that range from vehicle maintenance to safety reports to driver logs and inspections. In the event of not keeping these records in accordance with federal regulations could cost a company dearly.
It's a good idea to start with a detailed record-keeping system. You'll save lots of time in the future. The IRS states that keeping accurate records can increase productivity and reduce risk.
In the event of a trucking accident, the records that a motor carrier keeps could play a crucial aspect in determining who's at the fault. For instance, the records could be used to determine if a trucker failed to follow the federal hours of service guidelines and whether they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash, and if they were constantly violating company policies and procedures.
In addition, to keeping accurate records, a trucking firm must also conduct background investigations on drivers. These investigations include the background of the driver, the state where they were licensed, as well as their safety performance, and the background of their employment.
This information can help the trucking firm avoid hiring inexperienced and potentially dangerous drivers. It also helps the trucking company avoid being held liable for an accident it caused.
A well-organized and maintained record-keeping program will also allow the motor carrier to easily access the data they need when it's time to submit their annual compliance report. This can be especially useful for small businesses that operate from home and aren't always in a position to make a trip to the office to file.
If you're involved in an incident involving commercial trucks, it is best to seek the counsel of an attorney who has experience in handling high-stakes and complicated cases. A knowledgeable lawyer fighting for your rights will ensure you are awarded fair and reasonable compensation. Contact our team today to discuss your case.
Trucking companies may be held accountable for the failure of equipment
You could be held accountable for damages if you are involved in an accident that involves trucks caused by defective equipment. This is referred to as strict liability. This type of liability is only proven if the truck driver or the trucking company is negligent or has failed to uphold a standard of care.
If a trucking company fails to conduct routine vehicle maintenance, it may be held responsible for any accidents caused by this negligence. This includes checking the brakes, tires and other parts to ensure they are in good functioning order.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets specific regulations regarding the inspection and maintenance of trucks. These regulations are intended to keep large trucks on the road safe and to prevent a variety of problems.
In some instances the manufacturer could be held responsible for an accident caused by faulty equipment. It is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that parts they provide to trucking companies work and are safe.
If an industry manufacturer recalls a product or system that is dangerous it is their responsibility to notify their customers as soon as they are able to. After the information has been disclosed, any professional involved in the supply chain that is serving the same truck owners could be required to discontinue using the defective item or systems.
This is especially true if the manufacturer is aware the defect and is willing to correct it. If a manufacturer knows there is a chance of explosion when a specific part is used, it may be liable for failure to correct the problem or to warn its customers.
Another instance of defective equipment could be when cargo loads aren't secured properly. This can cause the cargo to shift and fall off the truck, leading to an accident.
Trucking Companies Could Be Responsible for Faulty Maintenance
If a trucking business isn't able to maintain its fleet of trucks, they can put the safety of its drivers and those on the road at risk. As such, it's crucial that trucking companies prioritize regular maintenance of their fleets.
The law obliges trucking companies to inspect their fleets for signs of problems before they put them on the road. Failure to do so could lead to serious accidents, injuries or even deaths.
The trucking business must also hire and train their drivers so that they can safely drive big trucks. They must conduct background checks to make sure that the driver hasn't had any prior criminal or driving violations and must provide appropriate training once the trucker is hired.
The trucking company has to keep in the loop the number of hours that its drivers work per day and per week. They also have to ensure that their drivers do not exceed the maximum hours of driving permitted by federal regulations.
Inadequate records of driver's hours can cause serious accidents involving trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has recently issued a regulation that requires all trucking companies to adopt electronic logbooks in order to enforce these hours of service guidelines.
If workers of a company do not adhere to these rules and regulations, they could be held accountable for trucking accidents that are caused by fatigued drivers. The FMCSA regulates the amount of time truck drivers can travel in the course of a week and requires that they take breaks before returning to the road.
In the same way, trucking companies could be held liable for faulty loading practices, too. For example If a shipping business is not able to properly instruct its employees on how to load cargo safely and correctly, they could be accountable for any accidents that occur because of shifting cargo during transport.
An Indiana trucking accident attorney can assist you in determining if you were involved in a collision involving a commercial vehicle or another vehicle. You can also seek damages for your loss. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as you can following your accident so that you are aware of your rights and your options.
Trucking Companies Could Be Responsible for a faulty driver's behavior
Trucking companies have an obligation to ensure that their drivers are competent and safe. They are also required to train their drivers when needed. Failure to do so can lead to serious accidents and injuries.
Trucking companies also need to maintain their vehicles and maintain their vehicles in good condition. This could include performing regular maintenance, and fixing and replacing damaged parts. If a company's trucks are not maintained in a timely manner and an accident occurs and the company is held responsible for the damages caused by the accident.
Drivers are often stressed out by the demands of their jobs and might experience a lack of sleep or time to care for themselves. Stress can trigger many behaviors that increase the likelihood of an accident.
If michigan truck accident attorney requires its drivers to drive at times that are not safe or schedules their travel, it could be held accountable for any accidents. If a trucking company negligently hires drivers who have histories of drug abuse or fails to conduct background checks, it could be held accountable for any accident that occurs.
Failure to conduct the proper inspections or maintenance on a truck's brakes, steering wheel, or tires can also make a company responsibility for any accidents which occur as a consequence. A company can be held responsible for any accidents or deaths that happen in the event of an accident that occurred because the truck was not properly inspected or maintained.
In the same way, if a company's drivers fail to take safety precautions to prevent accidents, like not wearing seat belts, or failing to check their speed, the company could be held accountable for any injuries that happen in the course of. If a driver violates these rules and results in an accident the trucking company could be held liable for any injuries or deaths.
It is important to speak with an experienced trucking accident lawyer right away when you've been injured in a collision involving a large commercial vehicle. This will allow you to gather the evidence required to prove your case, and ensure that the trucking company is held accountable for the damage you sustained.