Truck Accident
Trucking Companies
Commercial truck drivers sometimes engage in dangerous practices on the road—often on a regular basis. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has enacted and enforced strict regulations intended to prevent dangerous behaviors, some truck drivers and trucking companies continue to violate these rules, putting everyone on the road in danger.
5 Steps Every Car Accident Victim Needs To Take
Because accidents can happen, no matter how careful you a driver you are, here is some straight forward advice that every car accident victim needs to take, from PageLaw.com’s team of highly experienced personal injury lawyers who have helped hundreds of people successfully navigate the legal issues caused by a vehicle accident.
Avoiding Accidents with Large Trucks When Driving at Night
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the frequency of traffic fatalities is three times greater at night. Only 25 percent of all driving occurs at night, yet over 50 percent of the total traffic deaths occur then. During fall and winter, it gets dark earlier and the weather can be treacherous. In addition, there are generally more large commercial trucks transporting and delivering goods in anticipation of the holiday season. Driving at night between October and February can be more dangerous than at other times of the year.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
At any given moment, you can see large commercial tractor-trailer trucks hauling cargo on the interstates and highways in and around St. Louis. While these vehicles and their drivers are highly regulated, they are often involved in serious injury-causing accidents. Data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates accidents involving large trucks injured about 116,000 people during 2015.
FAQ for Commercial Truck Accident Victims
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can be caused by many of the same things that cause “regular” car accidents, including speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and failure to follow the rules of the road. There are, however, certain causes that are unique to commercial truck accidents. These include things like malfunctioning air brakes, improperly loaded or secured cargo, defective coupling devices, and federal safety regulation violations.
How Negligent Hiring Practices Lead to Truck Accidents
When a truck driver is working for a company and causes a crash, the trucking company that employs the driver may be liable for the damage and injuries caused.
In addition, trucking companies may face liability for their own actions or inactions. One common example of trucking company negligence is negligent hiring.
Negligent hiring means the company hired someone to drive a commercial truck when the company knew or should have known the driver was not qualified.
How Sleep Apnea can Cause Truck Accidents
You may be aware that sleep apnea is a health condition that causes people to periodically stop breathing while they are asleep. While this potentially life-threatening condition is treatable, many people are unaware they have sleep apnea or they decide not to follow the proper treatment. Undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea can put a person at risk while they sleep, but it can also result in dangers throughout the day.
The Importance of Information in Tractor Trailer Accident Litigation
Information is important in every aspect of life. One of the best ways to get information is by asking questions. But be careful, all information is not created equal. When you are seeking answers and information, it’s important to connect with the right source.
If you are injured in a tractor trailer accident, it makes sense to get the necessary information from a truck accident lawyer who handles 18-wheeler accidents. Accurate information will help you obtain full compensation for your injuries and damages. Inaccurate information will cause you years of headache and grief.
Don’t Become a Statistic After a Tractor Trailer Accident
There are over 250 million vehicles registered in the United States. About 2.5 million of those are tractor trailers. It’s worth understanding some basic information in case you are in a crash with one of the estimated 2.5 million trucks on the road.
It’s common for large insurance companies to take advantage of truck accident victims. It’s irritating to hear about insurance companies contacting injury victims immediately after a truck crash and before the injury victim has a chance to speak with a truck accident attorney.
What to Do After an 18 Wheeler Accident
Despite the ever present number of 18 wheelers on our highways, no-one really expects to be involved in an accident with one. In fact, the thought of the devastating consequences if an 18 wheeler losing control and hitting another vehicle is enough to drive most drivers off the road altogether. But motorists do continue to share roads throughout the country with these massive vehicles and accidents do happen. In order to take advantages of your rights when involved in an 18 wheeler accident, there is a procedure to follow.
Have you or a loved one been involved in an
accident? Contact Page Law 24/7
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