When a semi-truck causes an accident, it can become very messy in the legal realm. There are several different factors that impact the case such as federal laws, state laws, cause of the accident, responsible parties, and more. Discover three of the many factors that impact your truck accident case:
Drivers Must Abide by Both Federal & State Laws
There are many federal and state laws in place to keep all drivers safe on the road. If a driver ignores even one of the laws, an accident is more likely to occur. These laws are in place to keep semi-truck drivers from becoming over-tired, as this is one of the main causes of semi-truck accidents.
Did you know? According to federal law:
- A semi-truck driver must take a 30-minute, off-duty break after driving for 8 consecutive hours.
- A semi-truck driver must pass random drug and alcohol testing.
- A semi-truck driver must pass medical fitness requirements to complete certain duties.
Determining the Cause of the Accident
It’s possible that the semi-truck accident occurred because of different factors. That’s why it’s important to hire a semi-truck accident attorney to investigate all aspects of the accident, such as:
- Failed truck parts
- The physical state of the truck driver
- Weight of the truck
- Hazardous conditions
Determining the cause of the accident will lead your attorney to the at-fault parties.
Multiple At-Fault Parties
Did you know that it is common for multiple parties to be at-fault when a semi-truck accident occurs? For example, the company who hired the driver can be held responsible if they sent him back on the road after he failed a drug test. Or, the company mechanic can be held responsible if he noticed a problem with the truck but failed to fix it.
A semi-truck accident can change your life forever, but our team will work diligently to help you on your recovery journey, including the compensation you need to get through this time! Talk to us today: (478) 845-1961.
