Semi-trailer trucks, referred to more commonly as 18-wheelers, pose a unique risk to other drivers on the road. These large vehicles can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, or 40 times the weight of an average passenger car. They can therefore cause significant damage and serious injury or death if they cause or are involved in an accident. Truck drivers must use caution and follow all laws to ensure that they do not put other motorists in danger. When truck operators do not follow rules and behave negligently, they may be held liable for any accidents that they cause.
Driving While Tired
One particular truck hazard is the risk of a driver operating a semi-trailer truck while tired. Truck drivers who drive too many hours at a time without adequate rest have a much higher chance of causing a crash. To reduce this risk, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration created Hours of Service regulations that limit how many hours a truck driver may work at once. However, sometimes drivers or trucking companies knowingly violate these rules and put other road users in danger.
A tired driver is slower to react to sudden changes on the road than a rested driver and also is less alert. Some truck drivers have even fallen asleep at the wheel. When a driver cannot safely operate a semi-trailer truck, he or she may lose control and veer off of the road, jackknife, or even cause a rollover accident. Unsuspecting motorists may suddenly find themselves in the truck's path of destruction and may be severely injured or even killed because of a negligent truck operator.
Accident Liability and Compensation
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident caused by a tired driver, you may have grounds to sue for an hours of service violation. The driver or truck company may be liable for the violation that led to your accident, and you may be entitled to financial compensation for your accident-related costs. An experienced truck accident lawyer can work with you to investigate your case and fight on your behalf for the compensation that you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages from time off of work, recovery costs, and pain and suffering.
For More Information
To learn more about truck accident lawsuits and injury liability, visit the website of the Bronx truck accident attorneys of Parker Waichman Alonso, LLP, today.
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