Truck Accident
At MLG Injury, our Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida personal injury attorneys know that our southern states rely heavily on semi-truck traffic to meet our economic needs. The reality is, just over 72% of all consumer goods are transported by 18-wheelers throughout the country. That means heavy commercial vehicle traffic is common on our interstates, city streets, and rural roads.
Just as driver negligence is a common cause of passenger vehicle collisions, commercial truck accidents are also commonly caused by drivers who are distracted, intoxicated, or speeding.
Unfortunately, those are not the only causes of truck accidents. Here are some of the most common ways truck drivers and trucking companies are placing the public at risk.
Most Commercial Truck Accidents in Florida, Louisiana & Mississippi Can Be Prevented
When an 18-wheeler collides with a much smaller passenger vehicle, the crash and injuries that result are often catastrophic or even fatal.
In addition to distractions, impairment, and violating the speed limit or other laws of the road, other catastrophic semi-truck accidents are caused by driver fatigue. When drivers do not take the required rest breaks and time off, they are not only exhausted — which is just as dangerous as driving impaired — they are violating the federally-mandated Hours-of-Service regulations.
Hours of Service violations are often the result of drivers forcing extra pick-ups or deliveries to get home faster, or trucking companies providing driver incentives to pick up/deliver more in less time.
As the holidays draw near, increases in shipping and delivery needs also increase driver demand, which can result in trucking companies placing incompetent, inexperienced, and potentially dangerous truck drivers on our roadways.
When trucking companies place profits over safety, they may avoid running background checks, or fail to administer medical, drug, and alcohol screenings for drivers to ensure they are physically capable of operating a potentially 80,000-pound vehicle.
The U.S. Department of Transportation annually publishes the National Training Standards for New Truck and Bus Drivers, which requires all related employers to properly train their employees before they can operate these large vehicles.
When they fail to do so, they violate federal trucking industry standards and may be held liable for any collision that occurs as a result.
Have You Been Injured or Lost a Loved One in a Florida, Louisiana, or Mississippi Truck Accident? We Can Help.
Contact our skilled Mississippi Louisiana or Florida truck accident attorneys at MLG Injury to schedule a free consultation today by calling 888-904-2524 to learn how we can help you pursue the negligent party that caused your injuries, so you can make informed decisions about your case, and get your life back on track.
