The trucking industry is highly regulated in an ongoing attempt to ensure the safety of all people using on the roadway. Even so, crashes still occur. Indeed, many of the causes of truck accidents are in direct violation of existing laws and regulations. When investigating a truck accident here in Missouri, it stands to reason that the federal Department of Transportation statutes are a good place to begin.
Many truck accident share common causes. One of the largest concerns that many people have regarding truck drivers is fatigue. Truck drivers are only allowed to drive for a certain number of hours without a rest period.
A review of a driver’s log book might reveal that those rest periods were not taken in accordance with the law. Speeding, intoxication and drug use are also cited as common causes of truck accidents. Understandably, a lack of adequate training can also be a problem.
Tractors and trailers can also be the cause of an accident. Mechanical failure of the truck and improperly secured or loaded cargo can also wreak havoc in traffic. It is easy to see how determining the cause of an accident involving a truck can be complex. Conducting a thorough investigation into the crash to determine its cause is just one reason why it simply makes good sense to have an attorney represent your interests.
The injuries suffered in truck crashes are often far more serious due to the size and weight of big rigs. The financial damages incurred by accident victims are often substantial. Before a Missouri civil court will order a monetary judgment in your favor, negligence must be established on the part of the truck driver and/or the company for which that driver worked at the time of the crash. In order to do so, it is necessary to consider all of the causes of truck accidents to determine which ones may have contributed to your crash.
