Rules of the road and required vehicle maintenance for commercial truck drivers are imperative to uphold the safety of all those traveling on our roads and highways.
Earlier this year, a California man named Daniel McGuire was killed on his commute to work when a tractor-trailer crashed into his car. A lawsuit has since been filed by his family. The claim alleges that the truck was poorly maintained and that the driver of the tractor trailer had only three months of driving experience, the Bay Area ABC affiliate reported.
The family wants the trucking industry to have a grading system put into place that categorizes the difficulty of roads and rates drivers on their experience level. If applied, only the best drivers would be responsible for navigating the difficult routes.
A Trucker’s Responsibilities on the Road
Truck drivers have specific rules to follow when on the road due to the weight of cargo they carry and the length of shifts they endure. Every person driving a commercial vehicle — as well as trucking companies themselves — should be aware of:
- Defective equipment
- Faulty truck brakes
- Changes to driving guidelines and regulations
- Limitations on driving time
There are federal rules concerning the hours of service allowed for truck drivers. New regulations went into effect last year and includes the following:
- Maximum average work week decreased to 70 hours from the previous 82 approved hours
- Required 30-minute breaks during the first hours of a shift
- Truck drivers may resume driving after 70 hours only if they rest for 34 consecutive hours, with a minimum of two nights sleeping during the hours of 1 a.m. – 5 a.m.
Statistics show that nearly one in four passenger vehicle deaths involving a large truck are a result of driver fatigue. A driver who is tired is a danger on the road no matter how experienced he or she is.
Every trucking company is responsible for the proper training and enforcement of rules for its truck drivers. When these are violated, they must be held accountable.
Justice for Your Family
If you or a member of your family has been injured or killed as a result of a trucking accident, you may be eligible for compensation. By filing a lawsuit, the McGuires not only seek justice for their family, but also want to help prevent a tragedy such as theirs from happening to someone else.
The truck accident attorneys at Fried Goldberg dedicate 75% of our practice to truck accident cases. Contact us today if The case evaluation is free and there is no obligation.
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