Truck Driver Safety

Driving an 18 wheeler requires special licensing for a reason. There are numerous safety issues that go along with taking the responsibility of driving such a large vehicle. Truck driving safety has become a larger and larger issue across the nation as companies try to compact more deliveries in one truck with less time to make the trip in efforts to combat the high prices of diesel fuel.

The top truck safety violation that causes accidents is not adhering to time on the road laws. Drivers are required to take at least a ten hour break between each thirteen hour driving stretch. Thirteen hours is a long time to drive without an extended break and can be the cause of fatigue as it is. When the truck safety law of taking those ten hours of down time are not followed, increased chance of an accident occurring is raised. Drivers must maintain logs of their driving and downtime that can be verified at any time.

A secondary truck driver safety issue that goes hand in hand with the length of time being allowed to drive is the use of drugs to stay awake and alert for longer stretches of time. Not only is this always against the law, no matter what kind of vehicle is being operated, but it doesn't truly make them more aware of their surroundings. As the drugs begin to wear off the driver's concentration ability begins to subside. Drug use is a cut and dry case for liability.

But for those who break the rules, who is there to protect the victims? Our Fresno legal team stands ready and dedicated to holding those who refuse to adhere to standard truck driver safety rules accountable for their actions, and the often devastating consequences. We represent the victims, and help them to receive compensation for their injuries and the fallout those injuries might cause.

Semi-trucks already have a much longer stopping distance than a car. With the heavier weights from more cargo to save travel, this distance increases. Maintaining a safe distance behind smaller vehicles is another one of the top truck driver safety issues ignored that causes accidents. During investigations of commercial vehicle accidents, the stopping distance is compared with the weight load to find out if the driver was following too closely. If it's found the truck was overweight, the driver, and possibly the company can be held liable.

Many times, in order to make a deadline, drivers will ignore small malfunctions in their equipment. The length of the trips drivers make can increase the damage already existing and cause major malfunctions. For instance, if one of the inner tires has thin tread, and the tire is not replaced as it should be, it can rupture and shred. Retread tires are also not safe because they have a tendency to split and shred. Shredding tires on a highway cause many accidents. Thin tread and retreads are very easy to detect in an investigation and will be used against the driver in court as reason for being at fault.

Have you or a loved one been involved in an accident with another truck? Do you feel failure to adherer to truck driver safety procedures might have played a part in the incident? If so, contact the truck accident safety team at our Fresno law offices now without delay. Through a free consultation, we can determine your rights to a legal claim, and begin the process for you. We will help you pick up the pieces to heal and move on.