Truck drivers work hard to deliver our food, clothes, and other items across the country. Many truck drivers take their work seriously and strive to meet their delivery deadlines while maintaining high safety standards, abiding by federal hours of service laws, and proper loading and maintaining their vehicles. However, when drivers or their truck companies cut corners, terrible accidents can happen. Trucks are incredibly heavy vehicles. When they collide with a passenger vehicle, the impact forces alone can crush a car, leave individuals in the vehicle seriously injured, and in the worst accidents, lead to fatalities.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident serving Seven Mile, Ohio, Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a truck accident law firm that may be able to assist you. Our lawyers can evaluate your case, honestly assess whether you have a claim, and fight to help you get the settlement you may deserve under the law. If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident or if someone you love was hurt in a truck crash, you may only have a limited amount of time under Ohio law to make a claim. Contact Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law serving Seven Mile, Ohio today.
Holding Truck Companies Accountable When They Cut Corners
Truck companies are required to abide by strict local and federal laws. These laws are designed to keep trucks safe and to protect the general public. What are some of these laws?
Hours of Service Laws. Federal hours of service laws limit how long a truck driver can operate a truck in a given shift. Generally, a driver must rest after an 11 hour shift. This is so that drivers aren’t operating a truck while fatigued. However, it is important to note that drivers can be fatigued after even shorter shifts. Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a truck accident law firm serving Seven Mile, Ohio that can review truck driver logs, shipping logs, and other details to determine whether your driver might have been fatigued when your accident took place.
Weight Restrictions. How a truck is loaded can have an impact on its safety. Improperly loaded vehicles or overloaded vehicles can be at risk of tipping over and may have difficulty stopping. If a vehicle was improperly loaded or overloaded and this resulted in your truck accident, you may be able to make a claim against the truck company or party responsible. Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a truck accident law firm serving Seven Mile, Ohio that may be able to assist you with your claim.
Drunk and Drugged Driving. Truck drivers sometimes drive drunk or sometimes drive while under the influence of drugs that can impair their ability to drive. Sometimes drivers use alcohol or illegal drugs, but in other cases, drivers might be taking prescription medication that can impact their ability to drive and remain alert. Drivers must pass regular medical tests and there are restrictions on certain types of prescription drugs truck drivers are permitted to take when driving. Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a truck accident law firm serving Seven Mile, Ohio that can review police reports, the outcome of breath or blood tests, and can fight for your rights either inside or outside of court.
Improperly maintained trucks can be a hazard to others on the road. If a truck company failed to replace tires, check brakes, or maintain equipment, failures of this equipment can create major problems on the road. For example, failed brakes can result in a runaway truck that can be a hazard to other vehicles on the highway. A blown tire can result in a truck driver losing control of his or her vehicle. The truck accident lawyers at Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law serving Seven Mile, Ohio may be able to review maintenance logs, determine whether poor truck maintenance resulted in your accident, and fight to hold responsible parties accountable.
These are just some of the factors that can lead to truck accidents. In the aftermath of a truck accident, multiple parties might be negligent or responsible for the crash. For example, the truck company might be negligent, but the driver, the loader, the maintenance crew, and other parties may also have a role to play in the crash. Finally, truck companies are required to have high-limit insurance policies that may be able to cover a victim’s losses and damages. Negotiating with all of these parties following a serious truck accident can be complex. The truck accident lawyers at Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law understand the nuances of truck accident personal injury claims and may be able to assist you with your case. Have questions? Contact the truck accident lawyers at Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law today.
