Laws That May Matter in Your Truck Accident Claim

Establishing negligence after a truck accident is one of the most important factors that will determine whether you can seek damages from a truck company, driver, or other responsible party. Because truck companies are required to follow both federal and state laws, BRAD DOYLE,  a Houma Louisiana truck accident lawyer, may need to look closely at a truck company’s practices, logs, and other documentation to determine what factors may have led to your crash. What are some important laws that might play a role in your truck accident claim? Here are a few:

• Federal Hours of Service Laws. Truck drivers are required to abide by federal hours of service laws that limit how long a truck driver can be behind the wheel in a given workday. When companies pressure drivers to adhere to unreasonable schedules, drivers may push these limits. While drivers are required to keep logs, sometimes these logs may not be accurate. A truck accident lawyer, like an attorney at the Doyle Law Firm in Houma, Louisiana can review shipping schedules, records of violations and fines, and other facts to determine whether driver fatigue might have played a role in your crash.
• Weight Restrictions. Truck companies must abide by laws that limit how much weight can be put in a truck. Trucks must also be properly loaded, or a truck can be at risk of tipping. The Doyle Law Firm is a truck accident lawyer in Houma, Louisiana who may be able to determine what weights the truck in your accident was carrying.
• Maintenance Requirements. Failed brakes and tires, and failures in other truck systems can result in serious accidents. Truck companies are required to maintain their vehicles. Maintenance logs, records of parts used, and other documentation may be able to assist your lawyer in determining whether poor maintenance resulted in your Houma, Louisiana truck accident.
• Truck drivers are required to have proper licenses and must pass regular medical exams. If a driver failed to update his or her employer about his or her medical status, then the driver and possibly the company could be held accountable for this failure of oversight, if a medical issue resulted in your crash. If a truck company failed to properly vet its drivers, the company could also be found negligent if a driver with a poor record got into yet another crash.

These are just some of the trucking laws that might play a role in your truck accident claim. Have questions about your rights? The trucking industry makes billions each year. Truck companies and drivers have a responsibility to take steps to protect the safety of all people on the road. Contact BRAD DOYLE, of the Doyle Law Firm, in south Louisiana today to learn more about how we can fight to protect your rights.

COMMERCIAL TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Truck accidents are a special category of vehicle accident in that the trucks involved bear a special responsibility for safety, given the potential for large commercial vehicles to cause damage in an accident. It’s why trucking is specifically regulated with rules to avoid the harm that a large truck can cause. Trucks come in all shapes and sizes and can include:

• Commercial pickup trucks
• Delivery trucks and vans
• Dump trucks
• 18 wheelers pulling anything from enclosed trailers to flatbeds to no trailer at all
• Utility trucks
• And others

If you were hurt in a truck accident involving a commercial truck or a commercial vehicle, you might have important rights under the law. However, you may only have a limited amount of time to get everything you may deserve. Contact BRAD DOYLE in south Louisiana today to learn more.