Truck accidents produce serious injuries and could destroy the lives of victims. These accidents are caused by a failure to follow safety regulation, most often. These failures could relate to working far too many hours or taking stimulants to stay awake longer. Regardless, a truck accident attorney protects the rights of victims of these unfortunate events.
Reviewing the Accident Investigation
After all truck accidents, law enforcement launches a thorough investigation. The reason for the investigation is to determine if Federal Motor Carrier Safety Laws were followed. The authorities record any violations discovered during this investigation and submit the accident report, in which they state the exact cause of the accident, based on these findings.
Circumstances that Contributed to the Accident
Adverse weather conditions are a major contributor to automobile accidents. If these conditions were present, the authorities must determine if that was the cause of the accident. Equally, they must identify additional circumstances that could have contributed to the events leading up to the accident.
The condition of the driver could also contribute to how blame is assigned. The authorities test the driver to determine if he or she was intoxicated or under the influence of any controlled substances or stimulants. If the presence of these substances is detected, the driver is charged with DUI.
Identifying Violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Laws
The most common violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Laws relate to the hours in which the truckers drive. They are required to take sleeping breaks when traveling great distances. Current laws require them to stop after 12 hours. They aren’t allowed to drive longer than 14 hours in any given day. They are also required to keep electronic logs of their hours as supporting evidence. The authorities review the logbooks to determine if they remained compliant with these laws.
Truck accidents are more likely to cause extensive property damage and multi-car pile-ups. The circumstances that led up to these events could produce criminal charges based on non-compliance. Accident victims could use these criminal allegations against the driver in civil proceedings. It could help them gain leverage in proving the trucker liable. Victims who need help should contact a truck accident attorney by visiting website name for more information. You can also connect with them on Facebook!
