Aggressive Legal Advocacy For Truck Accident Victims
The aftermath of a truck accident is often devastating, and the victims and their families are left to deal with one of the most difficult situations of their lives. You do not have to go through this alone. At The Weinberger Law Firm, we are here for accident victims and their families who need help after a truck accident. A lawsuit cannot undo all of the damage that’s been done, but it can provide you with compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages. We can also make sure that the people responsible for this accident are held accountable and bring some much-needed closure to you and your family.
Schedule a free consultation with our truck accident lawyers in Sacramento today by calling 916-304-0952.
Why Are Trucking Accidents So Common?
Trucking companies place a lot of pressure on their drivers to cut corners and break rules in order to meet tight deadlines. There are many laws that place restrictions on how long a trucker can drive in one sitting. However, some companies will offer bonuses to drivers who can make deliveries faster than expected, thereby incentivizing them to break the rules and put other drivers at risk.
The following are some common causes of truck accidents:
- Trucks with defective equipment
- Truck drivers who are operating while distracted
- Drowsiness and fatigue behind the wheel
- Truck drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Poor road design and maintenance
- Trucks that were unbalanced or Improperly loaded
- Safety equipment that is inadequate or in disrepair
- Missing safety equipment leading to Override and underride accidents
- Truck drivers who speed or drive recklessly
- Driving conditions that are unsafe
If an accident does occur, these companies will do everything in their power to protect their bottom line. Many trucking companies have a legal team at the ready to defend them when someone files a claim. While this may seem intimidating, rest assured that this strong response is partly because they know they are vulnerable. With a Sacramento truck accident lawyer by your side, you can fight for the full compensation that you are owed for your injuries.
Why Truck Drivers Are Often Unsafe Drivers
Given the size and weight of trucks, any accident involving a semi-truck can be devastating. For this reason, and many more, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, part of the Department of Transportation, strictly regulates the number of hours truck drivers may operate to ensure they are not driving while fatigued which increases the likelihood of a collision. Unfortunately, however, many truck drivers and companies break the law to meet their delivery deadlines. Whether they are driving fast or unsafe in bad weather conditions, a collision can cause serious injuries and possibly death.
If you’ve been injured from a truck driver who was forced to drive in unsafe conditions to meet their delivery deadlines, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The law is still the law and when truck drivers break them, they should be held accountable for the damages.
Nearly 4,000 people die in large truck crashes each year and driver fatigue is one of the main reasons. The FMCSA mandates that drivers abide by the “hours of service” rule which breaks down to a 30-minute rest break within the first eight hours of their shift. The rule also required that they have a 34 hours rest period which would limit the number of hours to 70 a week. According to some research, a segment of the industry was not only driving the maximum amount of time allowed but worse, were adding a full shift per week, increasing their chances of being fatigued.
If an employer is violating federal law regarding safety practices, it is the duty of the driver to report him or her. The Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) protects drivers who face discrimination or retaliation for trying to obtain compliance with commercial vehicle safety laws. Therefore, no driver should feel scared nor obligated to drive in unsafe conditions. If you’ve been injured because of a truck driver’s or truck company’s negligence, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering.
If a driver refuses to drive because he or she is ill, or because it would be violating hours of service or the load is unsafe, the driver has every right to retaliate. If he or she doesn’t and therefore causes an accident, the victim of the accident could suffer serious injuries. By contacting The Weinberger Law Firm, you can feel rest assured that you will be compensated for any current and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact us today and put experienced and aggressive legal counsel in your corner.