TRUCK COMPANY POLICIES TO HELP AVOID ACCIDENTS

Truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to strict state and federal regulations regarding vehicle maintenance and repair, inspections, reports, employee drug and alcohol screening, and other precautions related to hazardous materials, and are required to comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Violating these regulations can lead to fines for the driver or trucking company and could potentially cause an accident on the road. Finding an experienced Detroit truck accident lawyer near you who is familiar with state and federal truck driver regulations can help you determine liability and ensure you’re compensated fairly and fully for your injuries or losses if you’ve been injured in a truck accident.

HOW TRUCKING COMPANIES TRY TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITYFOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

Trucking companies use a variety of strategies to shirk responsibility, dodge liability, and avoid paying victims the settlements they’re entitled to after an accident. Having an experienced attorney to represent you and guide you through this process can prevent trucking companies from taking advantage of any naivety which could otherwise impact or reduce your settlement.

• Hiring Independent Contractors: In the past, trucking companies have been able to avoid responsibility by hiring independent contractors. Generally, trucking companies weren’t held responsible for the actions of an independent contractor, however the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has tightened regulations on trucking company liability for independent contractors, so it’s important to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer who can effectively refute this type of claim.
• Conducting Their Own Investigation: In the interest of protecting themselves, their drivers, and their business, trucking companies may swiftly conduct their own internal investigations, oftentimes in an attempt to shift or deflect blame. At Kajy Law, we thoroughly investigate the accident and collect any evidence to properly and fairly identify liability and pursue compensation for victims.
• Shifting Blame: Because truck accidents involve multiple parties, trucking companies may attempt to avoid responsibility by shifting blame on to the driver, the loading company, the parts or truck manufacturers, and even the victim. Having an attorney who is experienced in truck accident injury gives you leverage when going up against multiple parties and large trucking companies.
• Destroying Evidence: Though unlawful and unethical, in order to avoid liability, a trucking company may falsify driver logbooks required by federal regulations, or destroy or tamper with other evidence such as inspection records, drug and alcohol reports, and black box data. This is why it’s important to call the experienced truck accident attorneys at Kajy Law immediately following an accident to preserve evidence as quickly as possible and to prevent any misconduct.

COMMON VIOLATIONS THAT LEAD TO TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Despite the strict regulations, violations occur, often in the pursuit of saving time or making more money. When truck drivers violate Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, drivers and trucking companies can face severe liability and typically must pay damages if it results in an accident. A victim of a truck accident in Detroit can seek compensation from the liable parties for loss of income, physical and emotion pain and suffering, and medical bills.

One of the most important policies is also one that is commonly violated: the driver’s hours of service policy, which regulates how many consecutive hours a driver can be on the road before they are required to take a break. These regulations are in place to prevent accidents due to driver fatigue, but a driver might drive beyond these limits to try to make a deadline or more money and might falsify their driver logbooks in the event that their negligence leads to an accident.

Similarly, speeding to make a deadline or shipping appointment is a common violation that can lead to serious accidents and injuries.

Inadequate truck maintenance can lead to accidents when drivers or trucking companies fail to perform daily safety checks or routine inspections or report safety concerns, which can have devastating consequences. Break failure, engine issues, and tire blowouts can all happen as a result of inadequate maintenance and can lead to serious injuries.

Federal regulations require trucking companies to train, drug test, background check, and supervise their drivers. Negligent hiring practices and failure to adequately train and supervise their employees endangers other drivers and can lead to accidents and injuries.

Violating the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s strict regulations for loading and securing cargo can lead to unbalanced cargo and trucks, view obstructions and accidents.

If a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulation or rule violation results in a fatal accident, the family of the victim may file a wrongful death lawsuit to compensate for funeral and burial expenses, loss of income, benefits, pension, pain and suffering, and more. An experienced truck accident attorney can review your case, pursue full and fair compensation, and offer support and guidance during this difficult time.

KAJY’S TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS KNOW HOW TO WIN FOR YOU

Our truck accident team at Kajy Law can hold their own and more against the big trucking companies who might otherwise try to take advantage of you and avoid responsibility if you try to take your injury case on yourself.

We know how to collect and preserve all evidence, including evidence that trucking companies might attempt to destroy in order to identify all liable parties, and we can request information that is difficult for individuals to access, but necessary for a truck accident case including a driver’s cell phone records, truck company documents, or even nearby video surveillance that might show what happened.

We can offer leverage against insurance companies and support throughout. With a full team of lawyers, paralegals, and other professionals, we’ve helped Michigan residents recover over $75 million in settlements.

Get started with a free consultation today. Call 877-Kajy-Cares or fill out our contact form.