Trucking Company Negligence Accident Lawyer

Time magazine consistently ranks commercial truck driving as among the most dangerous jobs in the country. Drivers spend long periods of time on the road facing innumerable hazards daily. This is why trucking companies should ensure their employees are highly trained and following proper safety guidelines while on duty. Protecting both their drivers and other motorists on the road should be their number one priority.

The problem is that many trucking companies put profits ahead of everything else. They may push drivers beyond what they are legally and physically able to do or fail to properly maintain their trucks. Sadly, there are devastating consequences on the roadways. If you have been the victim of a negligent trucking company’s failure to do the right thing, call Mike Morse Law Firm today.

Our team of experienced attorneys will fight on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve. We have helped our clients win over $1.5 billion in money damages by holding negligent parties responsible for the destruction they cause. You will not have to worry about a thing as we will handle every step of the process, giving you peace of mind as you focus on recovery. You can reach us at (855) MIKE-WINS. We are available to take your call 24/7.

Trucking Company Negligence

It is the responsibility of every trucking company to hire qualified drivers. Failing to follow these important regulations can lead to major accidents that result in injuries or death. 

The most common failures that can lead to an accident include:

• Disregarding hours of service guidelines

• Training drivers inadequately

• Failing to maintain regular maintenance on trucks

• Hiring unqualified drivers with poor driving records

If a trucking company’s negligence led to an accident that caused your injuries, it will be obvious after a full investigation. Your incident is likely not the only time a company violated the rules and put profits over safety. Their record of negligence will be put on full display for the world to see.

Failing to Maintain Commercial Trucks

Trucking companies should always ensure that their fleet is inspected before ever hitting the road. Many of these trucks are designed to carry hazardous materials, increasing the risk factor of a serious accident. Commercial vehicles carry heavy loads and can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. Transporting this tremendous weight for thousands of miles each week inevitably causes wear and tear. 

Common maintenance issues on big trucks can include:

• Brake issues

• Oil leaks

• Steering issues

• Tire wear and leaks

• Windshield wiper malfunctions

• Broken mirrors

• Chipped and/or cracked windshields

• Trailer problems

You might expect that most vehicles on the road have some type of issue that needs to be fixed. The problem is that when these problems are not addressed, the consequences can be deadly. For example, truck tires are massive and often under a high amount of pressure. They are designed to carry tons of weight, but a single tire flaw can force a tire to explode, throwing rubber into the air at high speeds.

The FMCSA released a Large Truck Crash Causation Study in 2007. In this report, they determined what percentage of truck accidents were caused by mechanical failures. The results were startling. 29 percent of accidents were caused by brake issues, while 6 percent involved a tire failure of some kind. This means that a total of 35 percent of truck accidents could have been prevented.

Hours of Service Violations

Trucking companies should properly enforce federal hours of service guidelines, giving their drivers reasonable deadlines that allow plenty of rest. The hours of service regulations are designed to prevent overworked and exhausted drivers from being on the road. 

According to these rules, drivers cannot:

• Be on the road longer than 11 hours each day

• Work a shift longer than 14 hours

• Take a break shorter than 10 hours between shifts

• Work longer than 70 hours each week

• Avoid taking a 36-hour break after they have used up their 70 hours

Despite these hours of service being enforced by law enforcement, fatigue remains a major problem within the industry. According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, 13 percent of accidents are due to driver fatigue. This is a total of about 18,000 accidents during the three-year study period.

Another problem listed in the study is that 16,000 accidents were caused by drivers feeling under pressure from their carriers, perhaps to meet unreasonable deadlines. When undue pressure is placed on company workers, they are more likely to drive longer than they are legally allowed. They may also feel the need to break speed limits and violate other traffic laws.

Failing to Train Drivers

Trucking companies should ensure that new employees have successfully completed driver training. They must also earn and hold a valid Class-A CDL. This may include an additional test with their equipment, a written test, a pre-and-post trip inspection, and a thorough background check. Companies should also place new recruits with a trainer for several weeks who will further test their skills behind the wheel, but sometimes this extra precaution is not always taken.

Currently, the US is facing a major truck driver shortage. This is causing supply chain issues throughout the country. Not having enough drivers to haul loads hurt a company’s bottom line. Some might just get desperate enough to quickly fill open seats with unqualified recruits. Inexperience and lack of care, though, can result in the injuries and deaths of innocent motorists.

Trucking companies may also fail to train their employees on how to load and unload trucks. Some contract this part of the business out to professional loaders. However, drivers are expected to do the work themselves in some instances. Either way, there is a loading proper technique to be aware of.

Careless loading, such as overloading, can lead to accidents. For example, too much weight can overburden axles and tires, leading to a blowout. Stacking heavy boxes unevenly on one side might cause the truck to jackknife or topple. Overloading trucks can also cause loads to spill out onto the road. 

Each of these problems can clearly be prevented with proper training. Therefore, companies that fail in these areas can be found negligent.

When It’s Time to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

If you are an innocent motorist now dealing with pain and suffering, lost wages, and mounting medical bills due to a big-rig accident, call Mike Morse Law Firm right away. Trucking companies, even if they are negligent, rarely admit fault after an accident. They are tough opponents because they understand the relevant laws and stand ready to defend themselves. 

Thankfully, you have a team of attorneys from Mike Morse Law Firm also standing ready to fight – for you. We have been making negligent trucking companies pay injured victims fair settlements for over 25 years. In fact, we have helped our clients win over $1.5 billion in compensation. 

Our team is available 24/7 whenever you need us. Give us a call at (855) MIKE-WINS or send a message to one of our online operators. There is no fee unless you win, so please do not hesitate to contact us today.