Semi-trucks fill our highways, presenting extra hazards for other vehicles. In order to prevent trucking accidents, drivers must be attentive and cautious. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world and some drivers are negligent.
Common Types of Truck Driver Negligence
- Lack of proper training – Driving a semi-truck is not as simple as a passenger vehicle, it requires specific knowledge about the truck, how to load it, and any special conditions.
- Distracted driving – Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that every day in the U.S. at least nine people die and more than 1,060 are injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.
- Aggressive driving – Following too closely, speeding, and changing lanes unsafely are all dangers of aggressive driving.
- Exceeding federally-mandated Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules – Drivers are often on tight schedules which may encourage them to violate these rules. Even though federal laws regulate how long a driver can be behind the wheel or on duty some trucking companies will overlook driver’s transgressions in favor of meeting deadlines.
- Drug Use – With long and sometimes strange hours some drivers may resort to drugs to keep them awake or help them sleep
Working with an Attorney for Compensation
Accidents involving commercial trucks and passenger vehicles can be catastrophic. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed due to a truck driver’s negligence contact us today. Our attorneys at McCoy & Hiestand have more than 50 years of combined personal injury experience and are ready to fight for you.
Remember, our truck accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, so we don’t get paid until you do.
