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Commercial Truck Accidents

Posted by: at 8:19 AM on March 20th, 2018

The process for determining fault in crashes involving a commercial truck can be complex. Crashes involving commercial trucks often have a number of contributing factors such as driver error, weather, roadway conditions, and vehicle malfunctions which may complicate the liability determination.

A thorough investigation that takes into account all these factors, as well as statements of witnesses and reports made by the highway patrol or local police must be conducted to determine which driver was at fault. Ultimately, the driver or drivers who are determined to be at fault for causing the accident will be responsible for compensating any person who was injured or killed in the accident.

Trucking companies and drivers must adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules govern licensing of truck drivers, weight limits for cargo, and the number of hours drivers may be on the road. Under these regulations, truck drivers are only permitted to drive for 11 hours in a 14 hour work day, following a minimum of 10 hours of rest. These regulations were modified in July of 2013 to combat the problem of truck driver fatigue and increase safety on the road.

Stay safe on the roads by avoiding the “no-zones