Truck Accidents Attributed to Employer Negligence
September 4, 2018
When a truck accident occurs, you might automatically assume that the truck driver is responsible. While this is certainly true in many cases, there are instances when their employer or the trucking company is at fault. Truck companies have a responsibility to ensure that their trucks are always safe and well-maintained, and that their employees are qualified and properly trained.
A skilled truck accident lawyer understands how the trucking industry operates, including the circumstances where employer negligence contributes to a devastating accident.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established regulations to keep truck drivers and other motorists safe on the nation’s highways. The regulations address issues like vehicle maintenance, loading techniques and cargo requirements, drug and alcohol use, training requirements, and the health of the truck drivers.
Truck companies are responsible for remaining in compliance with these regulations at all times, and for providing documentation of this compliance if one of their trucks is involved in an accident. When attempting to establish negligence in a truck accident case, violations of FMCSA regulations can help establish a pattern of negligence or can help prove negligence based on a specific violation.
Examples of Employer Negligence
There are a number of circumstances where employer negligence can result in a serious truck accident that involves massive property damage and severe injuries and fatalities, including the following:
- Poor Hiring Practices: It is important that truck companies follow proper screening and hiring procedures to secure the most qualified employees. From drug testing and physical examinations to background checks and ensuring that drivers have the requisite commercial driver’s license, these practices help weed out unqualified employees.
- Poorly Trained Drivers: Trucks drivers who do not receive the necessary training are more likely to make careless errors, fail to conduct regular vehicle inspections, and anticipate emergency situations. Companies may violate training requirements in an effort to save time and boost profits.
- Hours of Service Violations: Truck drivers are required to take breaks after a certain number of hours on duty. When drivers are allowed to ignore the hours of service, or are encouraged to work unacceptably long hours in order to meet deadlines, it can result in devastating accidents.
- Poor Truck Maintenance: Trucks that are not properly maintained can cause serious accidents.
There can be tragic consequences when a truck company fails to address the following issues:
- Performing regular inspections
- Neglecting regular maintenance
- De-powering front brakes in an effort to prevent brake wear
- Pushing a vehicle part, like brake pads, past the recommended life cycle
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Truck Accident Victims
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a truck accident, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and determine whether the truck company was negligent in any way. Our professional and dedicated team will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. 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.
