Trucking Accidents Attorney
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash, you may be entitled compensation. This could include medical expenses, lost wages and property damage.
In order to file a claim to be compensated, you must prove that someone else was negligent and caused the accident. Also, you must prove that you were a victim of economic and noneconomic injuries.
The law requires trucking companies to keep detailed records
Companies operating in the trucking industry must keep detailed records about a variety of topics. These include vehicle maintenance as well as safety reports, driver logs, and inspections. In the event of not keeping the records in compliance with federal regulations could cost a company hugely.
It's a great idea to start with a thorough record-keeping system. You'll be able to save many hours in the future. The IRS notes that keeping accurate records is an essential business practice that can lead to improved productivity and a reduction in risk.
The records kept by a motor carrier can be crucial in determining the reason for a trucking accident. The records could reveal the driver's actions that violated the company's policies and procedures, or if they failed adhere to federal guidelines regarding hours of service.
In addition to keeping meticulous records, trucking companies must also conduct background investigations on drivers. These investigations include their past in the state in which they were licensed, safety performance and the background of their employment.
Utilizing this information can aid the trucking company in avoiding hiring inexperienced and potentially dangerous drivers. It could also help the trucking company avoid being held responsible for an accident it caused.
A well-organized and well-maintained record-keeping system can also allow the motor carrier to easily access the data they need when it is time to file their annual compliance report. This is particularly useful for small businesses that operate from home and aren't in a place to go to the office to file.
If you are involved with an incident involving commercial trucking it is recommended to seek the counsel of an attorney with experience in handling high-stakes and complex cases. A knowledgeable lawyer fighting for your rights will ensure that you are awarded fair and reasonable compensation. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Trucking companies may be held accountable for the failure of equipment
You can be held responsible for damages if involved in an accident involving trucks caused by defective equipment. This is known as strict liability. It is important to know that this type of liability can only be proved after establishing that the truck driver, or trucking company was negligent or in any way failed to meet the reasonable standards of care.
If a trucking firm does not perform regular maintenance on its vehicles, they could be held accountable for any accidents caused by this negligence. This includes checking brakes, tires, and other parts to ensure that they are in good operating condition.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration establishes specific regulations for the maintenance and inspection for trucks. These regulations are intended to keep large trucks on the roads safe and to prevent a variety of problems.
In some instances manufacturers could be held responsible for an accident that was caused by faulty equipment. trucking accident lawyers near me is because the manufacturer is accountable for ensuring that the components they sell to trucking companies are safe and in working order.
If a manufacturer recalls an item or a system that is unsafe it is their responsibility to notify their customers as soon as they can. Once the information has been given to other professionals down the supply chain that is serving the same owners of trucks could be forced to cease the use of the malfunctioning part or system.
This is especially true if the manufacturer knows that it has an issue with its product and is willing to take the necessary steps to fix it. For instance, if a manufacturer knows that there is an increased risk of explosion when a product is used in a particular application, the manufacturer may be held accountable if it fails to correct the problem or issue a proper warning to its customers.
Another instance of defective equipment could be when cargo loads are not secured properly. This could cause the cargo to shift and fall from the truck, resulting in an accident.
Trucking Companies Can Be Liable for faulty maintenance
If a trucking business fails to take care of the trucks in their fleet, it could put their drivers as well as motorists on the road at risk. Companies that operate trucks must focus on the regular maintenance of their fleets.
Before placing their trucks on the road trucking companies are required by law to inspect them for any problems. In the absence of this, it could result in serious accidents, injuries and even fatalities.
The trucking company must hire and train their drivers to ensure that they can safely drive big trucks. They must do background checks to make sure that the driver has not had any previous traffic or criminal offenses, and they must provide adequate training once the trucker is hired.
The trucking company must also keep an eye on the number of hours that its drivers are driving each day and week. They are also required to ensure that their drivers don't travel beyond the maximum hours permitted under federal regulations.
Failure to keep accurate records of driver's hours can cause serious trucking accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has recently issued a regulation that requires all trucking companies to use electronic logbooks to enforce these hours of service guidelines.
If employees of a business do not follow these rules, then they may be held accountable for trucking accidents that are caused by fatigued drivers. The FMCSA regulates how long truck drivers can drive in each weekday and requires that they have breaks before returning to the road.
The same goes for trucking firms. They can be held accountable for negligent loading procedures, too. For example when a shipping company does not properly educate its employees on how to load cargo safely it could be held responsible for any injuries that occur due to cargo shifting during transport.
If you were in a collision with a commercial truck or another vehicle, an experienced Indiana trucking accidents attorney can assist you in determining who's accountable and seek damages from them for your losses. Contact an attorney as soon after your accident as you can to know more about your options and rights.
Trucking Companies Can Be Liable for Faulty Driver Behavior
Trucking companies have an obligation to ensure that their drivers are qualified and secure. They are also required to educate their drivers when necessary. Inability to do this could cause serious injuries and accidents.
Trucking companies also have to maintain their vehicles and keep them in good condition. This may include carrying out routine maintenance, fixing and replacing damaged components. If a company fails maintain its trucks properly and an accident occurs the company could be held responsible for the damages.
Drivers are often stressed due to the demands of their jobs and may suffer from a lack sleep or time to care for themselves. Stress can lead to several behaviors that increase the likelihood of a crash.
For example when a trucking firm requires its drivers to work longer hours than they are safe to do or schedules their work for unsuitable times, they could be held accountable for any accident that happen. If a trucking company is negligent in hiring drivers who have an addiction history or does not conduct background checks, it may be held accountable for any accidents.
A company could be held accountable for any injuries resulting from a failure to perform proper maintenance or inspections on the brakes of a truck, its tires, and steering wheels. A company can be held liable for any accidents or deaths that occur as a result of an accident that happened because a truck was improperly inspected or maintained.
In the same way, if a company's drivers fail to take safety precautions to avoid accidents, like not wearing seat belts or not observing their speed, the company may be held liable for any injuries resulting in the course of. The trucking company could be held liable if a driver is in violation of the rules and causes an incident.
It is important to speak with an experienced trucking accident attorney immediately in the event that you've been injured in a collision involving the largest commercial vehicle. This will help you gather the evidence needed to prove your case, and ensure that the trucking firm is held responsible for the damages you suffered.