Was Your Truck Accident Caused by Industry Violations?

Even the biggest SUV or pickup truck is no match for a fully-loaded 80,000-pound tractor trailer. When ordinary passenger vehicles are involved in crashes with big rigs, the results are often devastating for the drivers and passengers. Even the semi truck drivers are at risk of suffering serious injuries.
In response to the inherent risks posed by such large vehicles, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created a comprehensive set of guidelines for the industry that applies to drivers, companies, and owners.
While those regulations are designed to make trucks safer for drivers and other motorists, not everyone in the trucking industry follows them. In fact, they’re often violated to maximize profits.
Two common FMCSA violations that can contribute to accidents include:

• Off-duty requirement violations – When truck drivers are tired or fatigued, they’re much less capable of driving safely. To comply with FMCSA regulations, truck drivers must limit their working hours and consecutive hours on duty. When they exceed those limits, they’re at risk of causing accidents due to impaired judgment, poor decision making, or even falling asleep behind the wheel.

• Cargo loading violations – Most tractor trailers are limited to a maximum weight of 80,000 pounds. When their cargo causes them to go beyond that limit, they can become much more difficult to control, making drivers more likely to be involved in accidents. In addition, the FMCSA also has strict requirements for securing cargo to prevent objects from coming loose and falling onto the road.

After your truck accident, it’s important to get an experienced St. Louis truck accident attorney on your side. At Cofman Townsley, we’re able to investigate every aspect of the crash to determine if it was caused by negligence, and we’ll do everything we can to help you get compensation. Call today for a free consultation.