• Driver fatigue
• Negligence
• Tire blowouts
• Improper loading
• Sudden braking
• Drug and alcohol use
• Repeated driving violations

One in every eight traffic fatalities is attributed to collisions with eighteen-wheelers. Consider that the average passenger vehicle weight is 3,596 pounds, while a fully loaded commercial tractor-trailer weighs as much as 80,000 pounds. Is it any wonder that when these two vehicles collide, the truck driver usually suffers more minor effects and that many of the dead or injured are innocent victims in passenger vehicles? The Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that up to 30 percent of deaths, and 70% percent of the injuries, are directly attributable to fatigued truck drivers.

To address safety concerns, the Federal government has implemented regulations regarding commercial truck driver’s licenses and also requires limited drug and alcohol testing. In April 2003, the FMCSA instituted new hours-of-service (HOS) regulations to increase driver awareness and curb truckers’ problems with fatigue. These were the first significant revisions to the HOS in over 60 years. While these steps will reduce some of the accidents, problems still permeate the trucking industry. In a boards study of 107 long-haul truckers, 19 drivers said they fell asleep while driving one or more times during the past month. Two-thirds of those surveyed admitted to under-reporting their actual hours of work in their log book during the previous year.

Sometimes in truck collisions the insurance company will deny a claim for no reason other than to protect the driving record of the truck driver. Truckers must follow specific State and Federal regulations. It is important to retain a law firm that understands these regulations.

Personal injury victims (plaintiffs) can file one of several types of wrongful injury suits (torts) or family members are entitled to file wrongful death claims against defendants including:

• Negligence – an individual’s act, or failure to act, has caused injury. While the act may be unintentional, the defendant is still liable for damages.
• Strict liability - generally applies to product liability, which are claims filed against manufacturers and suppliers for dangerous products that cause injury.
• Intentional misconduct – is the malicious or intentional infliction of harm that results in an injury or death. This type of claim is litigated under criminal law and punishment can include prison.
• Comparative negligence – because the actions of the injured person may have contributed to their own harm, the negligence is divided between the injured party and the defendant and the damages are reduced accordingly.

If you have been hurt, or a loved one has died, as the result of an accident involving a tractor-trailer, semi or other large truck, you need the help of attorneys who have the experience and resources to protect your rights. Do not permanently lose your right to seek damages from those who caused you harm, call Hardison & Associates, Attorneys at Law today.

Whether we’re gathering evidence by preserving driver and truck records, consulting with you on legal strategies, or representing you in negotiations with insurance agents, our lawyers are always working with "Experience, Integrity and Personal Attention" to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation available to help in your recovery.

Call us today at 800- 434-7219 or contact us via email.