TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENTS
PENNSYLVANIA TRACTOR TRAILOR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
Every year in the United States, some 500,000 tractor trailer trucks or "semis" are involved in traffic accidents resulting in approximately 5,000 fatalities. In fact, one out of every eight traffic fatalities is caused by a collision with a tractor trailer or large truck.
Not surprisingly, most of the deaths and injuries involve the passengers of the vehicles struck by tractor trailers. Such victims, or their survivors must often seek out the legal services of an expert tractor trailer accident lawyer in order to recover the compensation rightfully due to them by law.
The Federal government requires tractor trailer and other large truck operators to acquire a commercial driver’s license and undergo limited drug and alcohol testing. Tractor trailer accident lawyers often ask for proof of such testing in the course of a lawsuit.
Frequently a tractor trailer accident lawsuit will focus on the issue of truck driver fatigue.
New tractor trailer laws implemented by The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2003 allow drivers to drive 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Also, drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on-duty, following 10 hours off-duty.
Similar to existing rules, tractor trailer drivers may not drive after being on-duty for 60 hours in a seven-consecutive-day period or 70 hours in an eight-consecutive-day period. This cycle may be restarted whenever a driver takes at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty. Likewise in tractor trailer lawsuits involving short haul tractor trailer drivers:
Short-haul truck drivers--those drivers who routinely return to their place of dispatch after each trip and then are released --may drive one additional period of 16 hours during any seven-consecutive-day period. Once again, if the tractor trailer accident lawyer is able to prove that such regulations were ignored, driver fatigue can be easily introduced as the probable cause of the accident and compensation claimed for the victim / survivor.
The current rules allow 10 hours of driving within a 15-hour work period after eight hours of rest. Also, drivers may not drive after their 15th hour on duty in a workday or after 60 hours on-duty in seven consecutive days or 70 hours on-duty in eight consecutive days. Any or all of these factors may come to bear in a tractor trailer accident lawsuit.
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident involving a tractor trailer or other large truck, it is important to consider your legal options. Many truckers are employed by large corporations that may put delivery of their goods ahead of your safety. Don't pay for the transportation industry's greed.
At KOTLAW, our attorneys are committed to helping motor vehicle accident victims, including those involved in a serious truck accident. Our accident injury lawyers have over 100 years of combines legal experience and are devoted exclusively to recovering compensation for injured clients and their families. If you have been injured in a truck accident, we can provide you with the quality legal counsel you deserve.
Contact our personal injury and wrongful death attorneys. While most trucking accidents occur at high speeds on the highway, even low-speed trucking accidents can have catastrophic results. At KOTLAW, our attorneys help victims of semi tractor trailer rollovers, 18 wheeler accidents, semi jackknife accidents, and other trucking accidents.
We are experienced helping families pursue financial recovery following the wrongful death of a loved one. Additionally, we pursue maximum compensation for clients who have suffered serious personal injuries in a truck accident, such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Loss of a limb or amputation
- Severe burns
- Other serious injuries
Our injury attorneys diligently investigate, analyze, and prepare motor vehicle accident claims to ensure our clients are in a position to recover the maximum amount of compensation available. We review areas of potential negligence, such as negligent loading of the tractor trailer, negligent truck maintenance, or defective truck parts. We assess all areas of liability and work aggressively to hold all negligent parties accountable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, consult with our experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at KOTLAW.