Who Is Responsible for Truck Accidents?

 Posted on April 17, 2019 in Auto Accidents

Pulling up next to a semi-truck makes many drivers nervous. Trucks are not only intimidating in size but in the United States, can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds on the road. Truck accidents are more complicated than car accidents because there are more factors involved. During a car accident, it is usually more apparent whos fault the accident was, but during a truck accident, it may be either driver or one of the companies behind the truck.

We rely on trucks and truck services to bring goods across the country. A semi-truck sees an average of 45,000 miles of usage a year. Truck drivers and their vehicles get worn down and it is important for companies to stay on top of maintenance and driving hours. When a truck is involved in an accident, here are some instances where the driver or company who owns the truck can be held liable.

Long Hours - Fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. Drivers can get pressured into working long hours to fulfill delivery requirements. However, there are limits to how long a driver can legally work. From the beginning of a driving shift, up to 14 consecutive hours, the driver is only allowed to operate the vehicle for 11 hours. After the 14 hours, the driver cannot return to operating the truck for 10 consecutive hours. Even when these rules are followed, a driver can still be fatigued, but following the rules prevents the driver or truck company from being liable for the accident.

Poor Maintenance - Driving across multiple state lines results in a truck easily accumulating wear and tear. It is the responsibility of the trucking company to inspect and clean vehicles and equipment before allowing the truck to return to the road. However, during a drive, it is the responsibility of the driver to inspect the truck during the drive and report dangerous wear and tear before it causes an accident.

The blame for truck accidents is often put on the driver of the truck, but there are cases where the truck driver was in the right. It is important to always keep your attention on driving, and use caution around large trucks. Remember that a large vehicle takes longer to come to a full stop, especially in unfavorable weather conditions.

Contact a Kane County Truck Accident Attorney

Mindful driving on the road keeps everyone safer, but if you find yourself a victim of a negligent truck driver or company, contact an experienced Aurora truck accident attorney today to keep the appropriate party responsible. Call our office at 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.wheatenfinancial.com/10-things-didnt-know-semi-trucks-truckers-split-personality-public-imagination-theyre-either-invisible-knights-highway-known-ever-ready-lend-hand-stra/