Common Truck Driver Safety Violations

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Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers discuss common truck driver safety violations. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents occur every 10 seconds in the United States. Technology has made today’s vehicles much safer, but accidents continue to happen because of other factors like weather, distracted driving, drunk driving, and speeding. Large trucks are involved in fewer truck accidents than passenger vehicles, but they tend to cause devastating injuries that result in a higher fatality rate than car accidents due to their massive size and weight. When truck drivers are not adequately trained or if they exceed the number of hours they are allowed to drive without a break, it can have devastating consequences to other drivers on the road.

The following are examples of some of the most common unsafe practices that commercial truck drivers partake in that can cause serious injuries and fatalities:

  • Speeding: According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), speeding accounts for the most semi-truck rollover accidents. Truck drivers tend to exceed the speed limit when they are under pressure to meet tight deadlines. When a truck is speeding, it is much more difficult to come to a stop quickly if traffic slows down. Rollovers and multi vehicle accidents can occur if the truck cannot stop in time.
  • Distracted Driving: Driver distractions are the second most common cause of truck accidents. From talking or texting on the phone while driving to eating, drinking, or checking the GPS, these are all examples of distractions that can take the driver’s attention away from the road.
  • Drowsy Driving: To meet tight deadlines, truck drivers often spend long, uninterrupted hours behind the wheel, many at night when it is dark. In addition, the lack of exercise from the sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity and sleep apnea. The FMCSA has established strict hours of service (HOS) rules, but it is not uncommon for truckers to falsify their logs or drive beyond the permitted number of hours. This can have devastating and fatal consequences if the truck driver falls asleep at the wheel.
  • Improper Loading: When a truck is not loaded properly, or if it is overloaded, it can cause the following problems:
    – Tire blowouts
    – Difficulty stopping
    – Difficulty controlling the vehicle
    – Increased speed going down steep hills
    – Brake failures
    – Overturning during load shifts
    – Losing the load
  • Poor Inspection and Maintenance: When a big rig is not properly maintained or equipment failures are not repaired, it can cause major wrecks. The driver is responsible for checking the rig at the beginning of every shift and submitting a maintenance report.
  • Driver Inexperience: All commercial truck drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license before they can drive a truck. Additional training will help drivers respond to potential hazards like poor weather, mechanical failures, and other emergency situations.

Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Truck Accidents

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or lost their life in a truck accident, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. If the truck driver and/or trucking company was negligent in any way, we will hold them accountable for their actions and seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve. Protecting your rights is our top priority. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.