In a 2019 survey of the trucking industry, Business Insider reported that trucks in the United States move approximately 71% of freight and that approximately 6% of all full-time jobs in the country are in trucking. While many truck drivers operate their trucks safely, unfortunately, we all too often witness truck drivers who are recklessly speeding down the highway and who are endangering the lives of the other drivers on the road. Sadly, some truck drivers and the companies who hire them, refuse to follow appropriate regulations and actually encourage their truck drivers to disregard these regulations.
If you or a loved one has been hurt by a truck driver’s violation of trucking regulations, you should not be forced to pay for your medical bills and lost wages. Of course, it is best to take precautions by driving defensively to avoid being harmed by a negligent truck driver at all, when possible. We’ve outlined below some of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations that truck drivers most commonly violate and the steps that you can take to avoid ending up in accidents caused by their violations.
Improperly Secured Cargo
Freight on trucks must be loaded and secured in a manner that prevents the cargo from shifting during transportation or coming loose. Improperly secured cargo is known to shift around in a truck and can lead to roll-overs. Inadequately secured cargo can also come loose from trucks and fall onto the road, which can create obstacles for motorists. One of the best ways that motorists can avoid cargo accidents is to avoid following too closely behind large trucks. Instead, motorists should maintain a several-car distance to reduce the risk of sudden cargo collisions.
Fatigued Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has created regulations that limit the amount of time that drivers can spend behind the wheel. Unfortunately, trucking companies often place substantial pressure on truck drivers to reach their destination in as short an amount of time as possible. As a result, truck drivers have been known to violate these hours of service requirements. One of the best ways to avoid ending up in a collision caused by a fatigued driver is to reduce the number of distractions in your own vehicle. This way, you can remain observant of truck drivers. Remember, fatigued drivers are known to swerve or drive erratically before ending up in a crash.
Road Rage
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires truck drivers to be in good mental condition, which means that they must not be inclined to road rage or other violent behavior. Despite this, there are countless stories of truck drivers who have forced small vehicle operators off the road. We have represented people who have been injured by truck drivers that were racing each other down the road. One of the best ways to avoid road rage is to be wary of making eye contact or interacting with angry drivers.
Speak With a Compassionate Missouri Truck Accident Attorney
At House Law LLC, we understand just how devastating truck accidents can be. We will fully investigate how your accident occurred and fight tirelessly to make sure the parties responsible for your crash are held accountable. If you need the assistance of an experienced accident attorney, do not hesitate to contact House Law LLC today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Tags: truck crash claims, trucking accident
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