Ringgold Truck Accident Lawyer
When fully loaded, large trucks can take hundreds of yards to come to a complete stop in an emergency and are difficult to maneuver on crowded roads. Because of that, an accident involving an 18-wheeler can cause serious damage.
Initiating a lawsuit after a collision with a truck can be difficult, especially when coping with your injuries. If you wish to receive compensation for your injuries, contact a compassionate injury attorney. A Ringgold truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the nuances of truck accident claims to help you get the compensation you need.
Rules and Laws for Truckers
Truck drivers have several regulations he or she must abide by. All drivers of tractor trailers must be 21 years old, speak English, have a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and must never have been disqualified from driving due to drugs or alcohol. Drivers must have a physical exam every two years and cannot have medical conditions such as diabetes requiring insulin, high blood pressure, or vision or hearing problems.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Drivers are tested for alcohol and drugs before he or she is hired and randomly tested thereafter. Refusal to take a test can be disciplined as if the driver failed that test, which can result in suspension from duty and can lead to loss of a commercial driver’s license.
Limitations on Driving
The trucking company cannot permit a driver to drive for more than 60 hours in a seven-day period. Finally, a driver is legally forbidden to drive a truck if it is in poor condition and likely to break down.
Failure to comply with any of these regulations can open the driver or trucking company to liability in the event of an accident. A thorough Ringgold truck accident attorney can examine whether a truck driver and company complied with these regulations when examining fault in an accident.
How a Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
A truck wreck attorney can investigate the accident, review any police report, check weather conditions, traffic conditions, whether there was any construction at the scene of the accident, and whether there were any witnesses. Importantly, an attorney can also review the driver’s record and the condition of the truck to determine whether it was properly maintained and had the required safety features.
With this important information in hand, an attorney can structure a damage claim and begin the negotiation process with the trucking company. If the negotiation is not successful, he or she can litigate the claim.
One of the critical benefits a capable truck accident attorney in Ringgold is the knowledge he or she may have of the rules and regulations that govern the trucking industry, both at a federal and state level. This can help them bring successful claims against negligent truckers and trucking companies.
Talking to a Ringgold Truck Accident Attorney
A Ringgold truck accident lawyer’s knowledge of these and other rules and laws can be an important part of having a successful lawsuit. Investigating the driver and the trucking company’s compliance with laws and rules for trucks is what a good lawyer does.
Trucking companies may want to push the envelope on drivers’ hours, defer maintenance on their trucks, or fail to maintain good records on violations and that can put everyone on the road at risk. When negligent truckers cause accidents we can help you hold them liable. Talk to an attorney about exceptions to compensation caps in injury cases.
