Those who operate commercial vehicles are required to undergo specialized training that educates them on safety procedures and specific traffic regulations. This is done to ensure both the driver and the driver’s employer adhere to state and federal guidelines.
Over 4,100 people were killed in large truck accidents in 2017. Unfortunately, drivers and their employers often attempt to cut time or costs.
A weary driver on the road may ignore mandatory rest periods so he can get back to his family sooner. Driver fatigue is one of the primary causes of truck accidents across the United States. Strict state and federal guidelines are in place that govern the amount of time a truck driver can spend behind the wheel. These guidelines are called Hours of Service rules.
Other truck operators may simply ignore company policies or rules of the road created by the Department of Transportation.
Conversely, a company may allow a driver to exceed weight limits in an attempt to increase revenue. Or they may fail to keep the tractor trailer in an ideal operating condition because they don’t want to incur the expense for repairs. As a result, essential equipment such as tires, brakes or other vital components aren’t maintained.
It’s not uncommon for profits to take priority over the health and safety of other motorists on the road.
Regardless of whether the driver was speeding, sleeping behind the wheel, following too closely or wasn’t trained properly, contacting a qualified attorney as soon as possible after a mishap is a very good idea.
If you have been in an accident with a commercial vehicle, a truck accident lawyer in Vero Beach has experience taking on trucking companies and their insurance providers. A skilled attorney can help you acquire any monetary award for which you are eligible.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Vero Beach
The attorneys at Vocelle & Berg, LLP have seen the various causes of trucking accidents. More often than not, driver negligence is the cause. Without question, operating a commercial vehicle on the congested highways of Florida is challenging. That’s why truck drivers should be highly skilled trained operators. But that is not always the case.
Even if the operator of a motor vehicle has enough rest, there are several other elements that can contribute to an accident:
- Cargo that’s not secured coming loose on the road.
- Faulty stability or safety equipment
- Vehicles that are not properly maintained
- Rollover accidents that result from a truck carrying too much weight or moving too fast as it approached a curve
- Impaired driving or driving under the influence (Because of the high level of risk involved, in Florida, as in most states, the legal limit for a truck driver’s blood alcohol content is much lower than that for other drivers.)
- Reckless driving
If you or someone you care about was in a truck accident, schedule a free consultation or call (772) 562-8111 to speak with one of our attorneys. For your convenience, we also offer assistance after hours and on the weekends when you call.
Resource:
iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/large-trucks/fatalityfacts/large-trucks
https://www.vocelleberg.com/tips-to-avoiding-truck-accidents/