Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer

In addition to rules governing the number of hours a tractor trailer driver can operate his or her vehicle, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has also adopted other rules which prohibit the driver from conduct such as:

• • Reporting for duty with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.02 or greater;
  • Possessing alcohol unless it is part of a shipment, including medications such as cough syrup or cold medicine which contains alcohol;
  • Consuming alcohol while performing safety-sensitive functions;
  • Reporting for duty while using any drug which affects the driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle; or,
  • Refusing to submit to any DOT-mandated alcohol or drug test.

Additionally, these regulations require that the truck drivers take rest periods after a certain number of driving hours, perform an inspection of the vehicle, and keep inspection records and logbooks.

Before onboard computer systems became widespread, a leading cause of accidents involving large trucks and tractor trailers was the falsification of trucking log books. Some tractor trailer drivers and trucking companies kept two sets of logbooks.

Before onboard computer systems, tractor trailer drivers were asked to record in their logbooks:

• • Time spent on duty
  • Time spent off duty
  • Time spent sleeping
  • Time spent driving out on the road
  • Time spent performing work such as loading and unloading

Now, many trucking companies use satellite tracking systems to record the location of the tractor trailer at any point in time.  These electronic systems help to eliminate a tractor trailer driver’s ability to falsify logbooks.

Driver fatigue has become a huge problem in causing accidents and other careless driving. In fact, fatigued drivers and the accidents they cause have become such a concern for federal authorities that in 2003, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted new regulations concerning the number of hours a trucker is permitted to drive. Even with these new regulations, the United States National Transportation Safety Board indicates that driver fatigue is still the likely cause of 20 to 40 percent of all trucking accidents.

Truck drivers and trucking companies are required to make certain that their drivers do not go over the maximum number of allowable driving hours.

Claims adjusters work for insurance companies and must act in the best interest of the insurance company. It’s that simple. They have lawyers to protect their interests, and you need the same protection.

If you file a car accident claim, you may find that the insurance company is not your friend.  DON’T GET HURT TWICE!  Call the auto accident injury attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm to make sure you are protected.  We are your WALL OF DEFENSE!

YES! When you schedule a free case evaluation, we’ll ask you to bring your accident reports, documentation, and medical papers. We’ll go over the fees schedule, signing of a medical release, and specifics about the accident and witnesses.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet the legal assistant handling your case, and go over the process, timeline, and contact process for working together.

Still need a little more information? Download our auto accident brochure for more.