- May 16, 2019
- Personal Injury
- Truck Accidents
Like any job type and occupation, there are certain rules and regulations that those in the trucking industry must abide by to ensure they are operating in a safe manner. The federal regulations are designed to ensure that drivers, workers, owners, and even manufacturers put public safety first.Unfortunately, the trucking industry also has a huge focus on profit—sometimes so much that they put it above safety and cut corners to ensure they’re making money, not losing it.
When regulations are violated and those in the industry go out of their way to put money over safety, serious harm can occur. For all those on the road, it’s important to recognize the regulations governing the trucking industry, and how violations can cause accidents and injuries.
Limiting the Potential for Fatigued Driving
Truck drivers work long hours, often driving through the night to reach their destination. However, if they work too long, it is not only a violation of certain regulations, it can cause them to lose control of their truck as a result of fatigue.
In the trucking industry, the Hours of Service regulations exist to help prevent these types of situations.
The Hours of Service dictate how long a truck driver is legally able to operate their truck before they must take a break that last a specific amount of time. Only after an adequate break period can the truck driver resume their route and continue driving.
The hours vary based on the classification of the truck driver—either passenger-carrying or property-carrying.
These regulations also limit the consecutive number of days a truck driver may work and how many total hours within a 7 or 8-day period they can drive.
Weight Limits and Uneven Loads
Before the truck even leaves the warehouse, it must be ensured that the trailer is properly loaded. This means not exceeding federal or state weight limits for various interstates (widely considered 80,000 pounds) and that the trailer is not loaded with one side heavier than the other.
An unevenly loaded trailer can cause serious problems, especially in high winds or on sharper turns as the heavier side can pull on the other, resulting in the trailer turning over completely and causing a roadblock—a potential danger to others on the road.
When a trailer is loaded too heavily, it can also cause the truck to jackknife in certain circumstances. It can also create difficulty braking when going down a steep hill, potentially cause the truck to rear-end vehicles ahead of it.
The Need for Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Trucks go through a lot of strenuous conditions and carry significant amounts of weight at a time. As such, the different components on these large vehicles can wear down quicker than most may think, making it imperative for the company, driver, and all involved to ensure adequate inspection and maintenance.
Inspection and maintenance can help the company recognize any defective or worn parts, preventing the truck from hitting the with potential dangers. At the end of the day, these steps can help keep the driver and all others on the road safe.
At Goodman Acker, we recognize that when these regulations are violated, it increases the potential of someone sustaining serious harm in a catastrophic truck accident. The size of the truck alone can cause disastrous damages to property and people.
Our Detroit truck accident attorneys work with victims to help pursue the justice and compensation they need to move forward. We aim to protect your rights every step of the way.
Call our firm today at (248) 286-8100 if you’ve been injured in a truck accident and need to take legal action.