Truck / Tractor-Trailer / 18-Wheeler Accidents
by Chris Reynolds
Many tractor-trailer accidents are avoidable when the trucking company and its drivers take the proper precautions. A recent investigation conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) found that 87 percent of the truck crashes were due to driver negligence. Due to the extreme weight of these trucks, there are many rules and regulations that
truck drivers must follow to keep the roadways safe. One of these rules is that a truck driver may only drive for a maximum 11 continuous hours in a 14 hour work day, and then they must rest for 10 continuous hours before driving again. Also, drivers must possess a special driver’s license to drive a big truck, and must pass a physical examination every two years. Finally, drivers must keep a log book that details all of the driving they do. Of course, there are other rules, but these rules are the ones that often become relevant in negligence actions when truck drivers cause injuries. A commercial truck accident is usually more complicated than other automobile accidents. This is generally due to the big size of the truck, the
cargo carried in the truck, or the multiple defendants that may be involved. There are usually multiple possible defendants in a truck accident case, including the trucking company, the contractors, the drivers, the owner of the trailer, the owner of the truck and the company that owns the cargo. Due to the complexity of trucking accidents, it is very important to ensure there is a
detailed investigation by the attorney. There are many types of evidence that can be crucial later on in the case, including the driver logbooks, the training procedures of the trucking company, the maintenance of the truck, and other factors. However, this evidence is often lost or destroyed over time, so it is imperative that the gathering of evidence begins as soon as possible after the accident. If you or a loved one has sustained injury in a trucking accident, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your particular situation.
Mr. Reynolds hails from St. Petersburg, graduated from Northside Christian High School, Eckerd College, and Stetson University College of Law. He lives in Pinellas with his wife and three boys, all of whom attend Keswick Christian School. Mr. Reynolds also has parents living in Pinellas County and a sister who recently returned from overseas as a Christian missionary.
Conquer Rising Energy Costs With energy costs slowly increasing across the country and houses filling up with more and more electronic devices, many residents are looking to alternative energy sources to keep their homes running. Installing a high-quality solar panel system can allow you to dramatically lower—or even eliminate—your electric bill. At Solar Source, we want to help you realize your clean energy dreams. We can help you install a home solar system of any size, big or small, and you can rely on us to be there if you want to expand in the future. For a FREE quote, call Bryan Hammond at 800-329-1301 or email at bryan.hammond@solarsource.net. Residential & Commercial Solar 18 • March 2020
|
800-329-1301
|
www.solarsource.net
Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper
|
The SOLAR EXPERTS since 1984 www.gulfcoastfamily.org
