New Rules Keep a Closer Watch on Sleepy Truckers
Some of the worst auto accidents I've encountered as personal injury attorney are those involving 18-wheelers and other large trucks. Think about it, they're 80 feet long, weighing somewhere around 40 tons - and because of their size and weight it takes big rigs a lot longer to stop than a car or motorcycle. Wrecks involving trucks and tractor-trailers are typically much larger and cause more damage than your average traffic collision. Given Texas' proximity to the boarder and the convenience of major roadways around Dallas and Fort Worth, there are more truck accidents in Texas than any other state. Speaking as a lawyer, truck accidents are particularly messy. A thorough investigation is always a must, and the big truck companies always have their own legal team involved immediately following the incident.
A common reason for truck accidents is driver fatigue. Drivers are paid based the amount of miles they travel, so truckers are encouraged to drive as far as they can in the shortest time possible. Despite existing regulations designed to prevent overtired drivers on the road, there is motivation for truckers and truck companies to falsify log books so that it they are able to get more miles in while on paper it looks like they are in full compliance with laws.
Fortunately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently mandated the installation of electronic on-board readers in approximately 500,000 commercial carriers nationwide. These readers will accurately track the true amount of time that a driver is on duty for in an effort to crack down on Hours of Service violations and help prevent fatigue among truck drivers. I certainly welcome these new regulations and I am hopeful that they will indeed have a positive result in that they make our highways safer for all road users.
Mark Anderson is a board certified personal injury lawyer with 20 years experience assisting truck accident victims throughout Tarrant County and the DFW area. For a no fee, no obligation consultation on your case call locally at 817-294-1900 or toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275).
