In eastern North Carolina, we encounter commercial trucks on the highways all of the time. These trucks are transporting a variety of goods and products across the country. Although the use of commercial trucks is necessary and helpful to everyone, when negligence of drivers exists, many dangers can arise.
Unfortunately, with the hopes of meeting deadlines and increasing profits, trucking companies and truck drivers sometimes fail to consider the safety of others traveling on the same road. Instead, individuals may be negligent leading to a number of causes of crashes that can hurt the victims in smaller passenger vehicles.
Not everyone on the road understands the dangers that exist and what exactly can cause serious truck crashes. It is important to know the causes so that injured victims can better understand who may be considered liable and what rights and options the victim may have following a collision.
VIOLATIONS OF HOURS OF SERVICE REGULATIONS
Hours of Service regulations are implemented to protect the truck drivers, as well as others traveling on the highway. These regulations limit the amount of time an individual can consecutively operate a truck before they need to take a rest.
This regulation requires the driver to log when they go on and off duty, and mandates that they take the proper amount of break time. This is in place to help keep drivers from driving truck when they are fatigued, which can cause an accident.
In an effort to meet deadlines and help out with their own profits, some companies have been known to push drivers to work beyond the Hours of Service regulations. If this is the case, this could make both the company and the truck driver negligent.
DRUNK, DRUGGED OR DISTRACTED DRIVING
When a truck driver is distracted, using their cellphone or under the influence while operating a large, commercial truck, they can very easily lose control of the vehicle. This can lead to a serious accident, often times involving victims in smaller vehicles.
Truck drivers, like all drivers, are strictly prohibited from operating their vehicle while distracted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TRUCKS
Companies are required to properly maintain their trucks and ensure that there is nothing wrong with them prior to leaving the warehouse. This means that the brakes and engine should be checked to guarantee that they are working properly, the tow hitch and tires are in good condition, and that other parts of the truck are working as they should.
When trucks are not properly maintained or inspected before going onto the highway, there is a large potential for serious accidents. Brakes can fail or the tow hitch can break. This can lead to a very dangerous situation and injury to others.
IMPROPERLY LOADED TRAILERS
Trailers should be properly loaded in order to meet the weight restrictions on the road. In many situations, individuals responsible for loading the trucks are negligent in this act, often times overloading the truck or loading it in a way that weight is distributed improperly.
Overloaded trailers or trucks with too much weight in one area can make it easy to overturn, potentially causing injury to the truck driver and other drivers on the road. This may make the employee responsible for any injuries that may have occurred as a result.
At Hardee, Massey & Blodgett, LLP, our Greenville truck accident attorneys have a strong and committed dedication to protecting the rights of those who have been seriously injured. We will work hard to help determine who may be considered liable in your accident and show the evidence necessary to seek the compensation you need and deserve. You shouldn’t have to suffer from the negligence of another!
If you’ve been injured, our firm is here to help. Call us today!