Truck Accidents

Collisions with tractor-trailers or commercial trucks can inflict horrific injuries on drivers and their passengers in cars and SUVs. Most tractor-trailers weigh in at 12,000-80,000 lbs. To put that in perspective, that’s about twenty-five times the weight of the average car. A fully loaded truck traveling at 65 mph on the highway cannot and will not stop on a dime, and their size and mass can cause catastrophic damage to smaller, lighter vehicles on impact at full speed. Factor in their unwieldy handling and bad weather or poor road conditions and someone is going to suffer severe injury or death in the event of an accident.

Injuries sustained in collisions with commercial trucks can be devastating to drivers and passengers in cars and motorcycles. Dismemberment, paralysis, disfigurement and traumatic brain injury are common in truck accidents, and multiple fatalities are not rare either. While truck accidents only account for about three percent of all motor vehicle accidents, these incidents are regulated under federal law by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) due to the significant amount of damage they can inflict upon persons and property.

FMCSA Trucking Regulations

There are strict federal laws governing how long truck drivers are permitted to drive before taking a mandatory break, how much weight they can load on their truck, and trucking company’s due diligence requirements when vetting potential employees. The state of Michigan also has further regulations governing truck drivers at the state level to protect the public as well.

What Are My Options For Holding a Truck Driver Liable For Injuries?

The losses incurred by a truck accident can be tremendous. Medical bills in excess of six figures, loss of employment, permanent disability and total loss of property can be incurred, and the insurance companies may not cover the sum total of your medical bills and expenses. You may have to pursue a personal injury case against the driver to receive adequate compensation to cover the basic costs of your recovery, to say nothing of the long term costs if you are permanently injured and unable to return to work.

Driver Liability in Truck Accidents

All truck drivers are required to observe federal regulations from the FMCSA to maintain their commercial driver’s license. Some accidents are caused by violations of these regulations, like overloaded trucks, overtired drivers who have not stopped to rest or who fail to follow other regulations. Should this be discovered during the accident investigation, the driver and their employer are legally liable for your injuries. They will need to provide you with sufficient financial compensation and pay hefty fines to the FMCSA for code violations.

Have you been injured in a truck accident? Contact the Law Office of Remond Atie today to find out if your case merits additional compensation for your injuries. Don’t depend on the insurance companies to make things right financially. Have our team at Atie evaluate your case and determine what is fair compensation for you from your stated injuries and loss of property. Call or visit our website today to set up a consultation and get more information.