Truck Accident Attorney
How are truck accident cases different from accidents involving passenger cars only?
Trucking companies and commercial semi truck drivers are subject to special Vehicle Code sections which include limits on how many hours a truck driver can drive, the type and weight of the load, and maintenance requirements. Truck drivers also have special training and licensing requirements that may generally favor plaintiffs in a claim.
Are trucks required to carry insurance?
Federal law requires commercial vehicles involved in interstate commerce to carry at least $750,000 in bodily injury and property damage insurance. Most States also have minimum insurance requirements for trucks not covered under Federal law.
What factors contribute to truck accidents?
Because they are heavier, larger, and more difficult to brake and steer than passenger cars, large truck are more likely to lose control and cause serious damage in an accident. Because of their larger weight and momentum, large trucks have greater difficulty recovering from problematic circumstances, especially in icy or wet weather. Defective parts or improper maintenance can compound the problem.
Why are trucks more difficult to brake?
Passenger car brakes are mechanical/hydraulic systems. Because most truck braking systems use pressurized air, it takes time for the air to travel through hoses to the brake shoes, creating a small delay before the brakes engage. And because of their added weight, trucks also require greater stopping distances.
How are weight restrictions on trucks enforced?
Weight limits on trucks are enforced through the use of weigh stations along interstate highways. Some modern weigh stations weigh trucks as they roll over devices located under the road. A transmitter on the truck allows weigh station authorities to identify it.
Are there devices that are used to limit a truck’s speed?
Some companies install such devices, known as “governors”, in their truck. Many, however, forego the devices knowing that their drivers will sometimes need to speed in order to meet a deadline.
Are truck drivers permitted to use radar detectors?
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) banned the use of radar detectors in commercial vehicles engaged in interstate commerce effective as of 1994.
Are multi trailer trucks more dangerous than single trailer trucks?
Multi trailer trucks are two to three times more likely to be involved in an accident. Their additional connection points make them harder to handle and cause greater instability that can lead to trailer swing and jackknifing, among other problems.
Who can be held liable in a truck accident lawsuit?
Parties that may be held responsible in a truck accident lawsuit include the driver, the owner of the trailer, the owner of the tractor, the company whose logo or markings are on the trailer, the owner of the contents in the trailer and, in some circumstances, the facility that loaded the contents onto the trailer.
Our truck accident attorneys have experience and knowledge of Federal and State regulations that apply to truck drivers and trucking companies. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident or if you have additional questions or need a truck accident attorney to properly represent your interests, please contact us.
