Large commercial trucks have to follow federal laws that do not apply to passenger cars. When the trucker or transportation company does not comply with these regulations and they get into a crash as a result, their negligence can affect their injury claim or lawsuit.
This blog will talk about trucking industry regulations and how they impact your personal injury case. A Chicago personal injury attorney could help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
Logbooks and Hours of Service
There were so many horrific tractor-trailer accidents that involved drivers who had been on the road for long hours that Congress enacted regulations to limit how many hours truckers can drive in a day and in a week. Drivers must keep logbooks that show the hours they work.
Violating regulations can automatically be negligence. If drowsy driving was a factor in a collision and the logbook shows that the driving exceeded the hours limit or the logbook got falsified, the driver could face liability for the accident. The employer can be liable if they pressured the driver to violate the hours-of-service regulations.
Cargo Loading Requirements
A tractor-trailer can jackknife or flip over if the cargo shifts during transit. There are regulations that require cargo loaders to balance and distribute the load and secure it in place. If the improper loading or securing of cargo caused or contributed to a crash, the cargo loading company could be liable to people who get injured in the collision.
Mandatory Drug Testing
Before they hire a truck driver, the transportation company must test the candidate for controlled substances. The drivers must also submit to random drug screenings throughout the year and after some types of accidents.
If the driver was impaired by alcohol or other drugs at the time of a collision and the impairment was a factor in the accident, the driver will likely be liable for the injuries and losses people suffered in the crash. Truckers have a much lower legal limit for alcohol than drivers of passenger cars. Employers can face liability if they do not follow testing requirements.
Vehicle Inspections
Before each trip, the driver must perform a thorough inspection of the tractor-trailer to make sure that it is roadworthy. The driver and company must keep records of these safety inspections. If the company or driver did not perform the required inspections or they ignored safety issues that got discovered in these checks, they could be liable for any accidents caused by these problems.
Also, if the truck got serviced for routine maintenance issues or for a mechanical problem, and the fleet maintenance company performed substandard work that led to an accident, the maintenance company could get held accountable for injuries that result from their negligence. The trucking company could be liable if they knowingly used an unreliable maintenance company to save a few dollars.
Contact Our Chicago Truck Accident Attorneys Today
If you got injured in a truck accident, you will want to work with a Chicago personal injury attorney who knows these regulations and how they can impact your personal injury case. Contact our office today for help with your case, we gladly offer a free consultation.