Automobile accidents are bad enough, but a truck wreck can be much worse. As most motorists know, trucks are generally quite a bit bigger than automobiles. Therefore, when a driver or pedestrian is the victim of a big rig truck accident, the results can be a lot more catastrophic. Consequently, it is extremely important for a person to know about truck wrecks and its unfortunate victims.
What most motorists may not know is that the trucking industry is regulated by numerous state and federal laws that must be adhered to by all trucking companies, as well as by their drivers. The above laws can well determine who may be ultimately held responsible for any commercial truck accident. For instance, the two federal agencies which are primarily responsible for regulating traffic laws, trucking and auto laws are the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In addition, each state basically has its own traffic department to regulate intra-state commercial trucking.
If you were involved in a serious trucking accident, and the accident involved a semi-truck or big rig crash you may be able to conclusively prove that the big rig crash was the fault of the trucker. If that is the case, and they are responsible, then the driver or his or her company could be held liable for your injuries from a big rig accident.
Truckers, as determined by state and federal laws, must follow such rules as:
-If they are driving an 18-wheeler, they must be able to produce a commercial drivers’ license
-They must get the proper rest, this is what is generally called “hours of service”
-Truckers must drive a truck that adheres to the maximum weight requirements. For example, a single axle truck must carry up to 20,000 pounds and a two-axle truck, or a tandem truck must carry up to 34,000 pounds. The truck must not be overloaded, as this can be very dangerous, not just to the driver, but even more so if they should have a truck crash.
So as you can see, driving a truck is a very serious responsibility and can equally incur serious consequences.
So, if you, or a loved one have experienced injuries from a big rig accident, by all means get the qualified legal services that you are entitled to. A truck wreck is never a pleasant situation, but it is good to know your rights beforehand. It’s also good to know that there is a legal recourse for truck accident victims.
Hopefully, you or your loved ones will never become truck accident victims, but in case you or a loved one ever do, know what rights you have and what truckers can and cannot do.
