Atlanta Personal Injury Attorneys Commercial Truck Accidents
Most commercial truck drivers are well-trained and competent. But the demands of the job, including long hours behind the wheel and driving consecutive shifts to make enough money can take their toll. When drivers ignore federal regulations, and trucking companies fail to give them proper training, our highways become more dangerous, and people get injured or killed. And because tractor-trailers are many times larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, they have the potential to inflict catastrophic levels of damage.
We know how seriously truck accident-related injuries can impact your life. In addition to the physical damages, many people experience anxiety, depression, and symptoms of PTSD. At Wood Craig Miller, we fight to keep the highways safe and to get fair compensation for commercial truck accident victims. If drivers violate the law or are simply negligent behind the wheel, we’ll hold them and their employers accountable for their actions.
Why Do I Need A Truck Accident Attorney?
The causes of commercial truck driving accidents are often hard to determine, because drivers and their attorneys fight to keep details hidden. At Wood Craig Miller, we have attorneys who specialize in commercial trucking accidents. We know what questions to ask to determine if the drivers get the proper amount of rest and training before the accident, or if their driving was impaired by drugs or alcohol.
What Are the "Hours of Service Regulations?"
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposes a regulation called the hours of services regulations on all truck drivers. The main goal of these rules is to prevent fatigued driving, which is a major cause of accidents on the roadways.
According to these rules:
Truck drivers can only work up to 14 hours in one day.
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Truck drivers must rest or take meal breaks totaling 3 hours during the workday. This means they can only drive for a total of 11 hours.
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Driver must rest for a minimum of 10 consecutive hours at the end of each workday.
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Truck drivers must take days off work at regular intervals.
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Truck drivers can only work up to 14 hours in one day.
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Truck drivers must rest or take meal breaks totaling 3 hours during the workday. This means they can only drive for a total of 11 hours.
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Driver must rest for a minimum of 10 consecutive hours at the end of each workday.
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Truck drivers must take days off work at regular intervals.
Factors that lead to negligent commercial driving accidents
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Drivers working more than 70 hours over eight days.
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Drivers working more than 14 hours in a day.
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Drivers not resting 10 hours at the end of the day.
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Drivers not taking proper meal breaks.
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Drivers consuming alcohol or drugs less than eight hours before working.
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Drivers working more than 70 hours over eight days.
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Drivers working more than 14 hours in a day.
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Drivers not resting 10 hours at the end of the day.
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Drivers not taking proper meal breaks.
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Drivers consuming alcohol or drugs less than eight hours before working.
Many of these rules are federally mandated. But other factors can play a part in determining the overall liability of drivers in commercial truck accidents. Because the rules are complicated and the results of truck accidents are often so devastating, it’s a good idea to consult an attorney right away to get the compensation you deserve.
Call Wood Craig Miller today at (404) 888-9962 to speak with a specialist who handles truck driving cases. As always, we offer free initial consultations.
Secure the Right Representation
We know how much is at stake for you and your family when pursuing a personal injury claim for a truck accident. We’ll ask the tough questions to secure the legal victories to keep our highways safe and to get our clients the compensation they deserve. Don’t trust any ordinary lawyer to handle your case. Call Wood Craig Miller to talk with a commercial trucking specialist..
Schedule a free Wood Craig Miller consultation today by calling (404) 888-9962.