Suing a Trucking Company After a Truck Accident
About The Author
Steven J. Gordon
Houston, TX
Practice Areas: Trucking Accident
Other Articles by the Author
Truck accidents often result it significant injuries, due to the sheer mass of a big rig or commercial semi-truck. The trucking company may be held liable for thenegligent actions of the driver. According to respondeat superior, Latin for “let the master answer,” you may suethe trucking company after a truck accident if they engaged in practices thatcontributed to the accident. It is crucial to hire a personal injury attorneywho is experienced with truck liability laws in order to file a successfullawsuit.
Trucking Regulations and TruckDriver Safety
There are many trucking regulationsthat a trucking company and truck driver must follow. These regulations were developed tokeep the truck driver safe and to minimize the chance of a trucking accident.If the truck driver or company does not adhere to these regulations, and anaccident occurs, they can be found liable for the trucking accident and damagesmay be awarded to the injured party.
Accidents Due to Truck Driver Fatigue
One problemin the trucking industry is that truckdrivers are sometimes given schedulesthat do not allow them adequate time to rest or are given a deadline that doesnot conform to roadway speed limits. If the driver is not given a realisticdeadline, he or she may travel over the speed limit, increasing the likelihoodof a trucking accident.
Maximumdriving time is another important regulation. Truck drivers must keep a dailylog of how many hours they have driven. If a truck driver is fatigued andbecomes involved in a truck accident, these logs can be used to determine thetruck company’s liability. It is worth noting that in a recent survey, approximately 20% of truck drivers admittedto falling asleep while driving in the past month.
Compensation Available Through a Truck Accident Lawsuit
Suing the trucking company may allow you to receive compensation for the injuries andmedical bills stemming from your truck accident. You may also be awarded damages to cover damage to your home or property, loss of income, as well as pain and suffering. Working with a skilled personal injury attorney at the law offices of Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. who specializes in truck accident liability can help you win your truck accident case. Contact us by filling out the Free Case Evaluation Form or calling TOLL FREE: 800 - 773 - 6770.