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Truck drivers face many risks on the job. Whether these are workplace injuries from repeated lifting and bending, accident injuries from driving for a living, or other risks, truckers can be seriously injured. If you or a loved one was injured or killed on the job as a truck driver, consider taking your case to an Arlington injury attorney for truck drivers.
The Queenan Law Firm’s principal attorney, Kevin Queenan, used to work in the trucking industry and understands the ins and outs of truck accident cases. For a free consultation on your trucking injuries, and for more information about what damages you may be entitled to, call our Arlington truck accident injury lawyers today at (817) 476-1797.
Trucking Regulations for Truck Drivers
Many of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)’s trucking regulations enforce rules for truck drivers and their carriers or trucking company employers alike. These rules are primarily designed to protect other drivers from the effects of unsafe driving. However, they can also protect drivers from trucking companies who want their drivers to spend too much time on the road or in dangerous rigs.
Many truck drivers report pressure from their employers to violate trucking regulations. There are even reports of drivers who were forced to falsify their logs before receiving their paycheck. If your employer forced you to violate regulations, you may be able to hold your employer accountable for any accidents these violations cause.
Especially with regard to the following regulations, your carrier company may be held liable for any truck accident injuries you sustain:
- Hours of Service Regulations – Most truckers are familiar with the limitations that bar them from driving more than 8 hours straight without a break, staying on duty for more than 14 hours in a day, or driving more than 60 hours in a 7-day period (or 70 hours in an 8-day period). If your employer forces you to break these rules, you may be able to sue them for tired-driving injuries.
- Equipment Regulations – While your roadside equipment checks may be able to spot some problems, you hope that the rig you are driving is safe and properly maintained. If you suffer lighting failures, tire failures, or brake failures because your employer failed to properly inspect or maintain your vehicle, they may be liable for your injuries.
- Improper Loading and Overloading – Trucks have clear weight limits and loading requirements. If you did not personally load your truck and were injured because of unsafely or overloaded cargo, you may be able to sue your employer. Additionally, if your employer loaded the truck with unsafe or hazardous materials (HAZMATs) and did not tell you, you could recover for any injuries or problems these materials cause you.
Suing for Trucking Accident Injuries
Just because you drive a truck does not mean that you are at fault for every accident you are involved in. Many times, the larger, heavier vehicle is blamed for an accident. In reality, the law requires that a driver did something wrong to be held liable for accident injuries. If you were driving safely, you may be able to hold other drivers responsible for an accident.
Driving a tractor-trailer takes significantly more skill and attention than driving a sedan, especially on the highway. If a car cuts you off, follows too closely, speeds, or otherwise violates traffic laws, they could be held responsible for the accident.
Many truck accidents are single-vehicle accidents caused by equipment malfunction, dangerous weather conditions, or poor road conditions. Many times, these problems can cause your truck to fishtail, jackknife, or otherwise run out of control. In any case, if your employer put you behind the wheel of an unsafe, improperly loaded, or poorly-maintained vehicle, you may be able to sue them, even for single vehicle crashes.
Other Common On-The-Job Truck Driver Injuries
Many truck drivers are also responsible for loading their trucks and making deliveries. This kind of work can put serious strain on your back and body, especially after years of doing this job. In some cases, you may be able to sue your employer for injuries you receive on the job. If your boss failed to give you the proper lifting or safety equipment, you could have a strong case. Other injuries from repetitive stress or long-term sitting may also be compensable.
If you delivered to an unsafe location, you may be able to sue the property owner for injuries, as well. Slipping or tripping and falling on unsafe premises can lead to substantial compensation for serious injuries.
Attorney for Injured Truckers in Arlington
The Arlington personal injury attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm may be able to help you if you were injured while working as a truck driver. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling personal injury and trucking accident cases. For a free consultation and more information, contact our attorneys today at (817) 476-1797.