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Accident Types:
Tractor
Trailor Accidents | Underride
Accidents
Certain types of accidents are more fatal than
others. Collisions between large vehicles or
trucks and small passenger vehicles often have fatal
outcomes for the occupants of the small vehicle. Sheer
size and weight differences can put the small passenger
vehicle at a disadvantage when in an accident with a
truck, SUV, or tractor-trailer. Variances in the height
between trailers and passenger sedans can lead to serious
injuries and death in the case of collisions.
Sadly, factors such as truck driver fatigue
cause many accidents, injuries, and deaths each year.
The Federal government requires tractor-trailer
and other large truck operators to acquire a commercial
driver’s license and undergo limited drug and
alcohol testing. There are limits to how long they can
drive continuously. New rules implemented by The U.S.
Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2003 allow drivers
to drive 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
Also, drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after
coming on-duty, following 10 hours off-duty. Similar
to existing rules, drivers may not drive after being
on-duty for 60 hours in a seven-consecutive-day period
or 70 hours in an eight-consecutive-day period. This
on-duty cycle may be restarted whenever a driver takes
at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty. Even with these
regulations, many truck drivers admit to falling asleep
at the wheel. With one out of every eight traffic fatalities
being caused by a collision with a large truck and with
truck drivers typically escaping these accidents with
no injuries, safety of drivers is a huge concern.
If you or a loved one were injured
in an accident with a truck, SUV, or tractor trailer,
contact our accident lawyers today for a free and confidential
case evaluation.
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