Most notably, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has enforced trucking safety regulations through its Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program. The purpose of the CSA program is to prevent serious and/or fatal 18-wheeler accidents from occurring. Though, violations of these regulations occur far too often in the state of Kentucky. Follow along to find out what the most common safety violations are and how a proficient Pike County, KY truck accident lawyer at Shane Hall Attorney At Law, PLLC can be of any assistance.
What are common safety violations that lead to 18-wheeler accidents?
More often than not, 18-wheeler accidents are caused by the negligence of a truck driver. The FMCSA’s CSA program identifies the following as the most common safety violations made by truck drivers:
- Driving recklessly:
- Speeding.
- Tailgating.
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals.
- Failing to check blind spots.
- Failing to brake or turn on time.
- Driving while intoxicated.
- Driving while drowsy.
- Distracted driving:
- Using a handheld mobile device while driving.
- Having an unauthorized passenger in the truck.
With that being said, the negligence of a trucking company can also be the cause of an 18-wheeler accident. Examples of safety violations among this party include the following:
- Failing to enforce seat belt use while operating an 18-wheeler.
- Failing to place warning devices on an 18-wheeler.
- Failing to fix missing or defective wheel flaps.
- Failing to check that the 18-wheeler’s load was secure.
- Failing to conduct a pre-trip inspection.
- Failing to hire trained drivers.
Should I file a personal injury claim for my truck accident?
If you were wrongfully injured in an 18-wheeler accident that was due to no fault of your own, then you may want to consider filing a personal injury claim. With a successful claim, you may be able to receive the financial compensation that you require to heal from your injuries and damages (i.e., medical bills, medical equipment, car repairs, lost wages, etc). What’s more, you may be able to hold the negligent party accountable once and for all.
One of the most important factors to remember for your claim is the statute of limitations. That is, the state of Kentucky has a deadline for when you are allowed to bring a lawsuit forward. This deadline is typically two years from the date of your accident.
We understand that you are likely taking time out to recover from your accident. But you cannot let this deadline slip by, because if you do, you will be permanently barred from suing. So, to kickstart your claim as soon as possible, you must retain the services of a talented Pike County, KY auto accident lawyer. We look forward to hearing from you.
