truck drivers | Online Lawyer Network

New Orleans, LA – Truck drivers must follow certain regulations while working that are set by the federal government and Louisiana’s state government. One of the most important regulations that is meant to increase safety and minimize accidents is a limit on the total number of hours that a driver can work in any given day. It is possible that a driver and their employer can be fined or sued if they choose to violate the relevant trucking regulations for driving time and other related issues.

Hour limits

Federal trucking regulations set by the Department of Transportation will limit a driver’s workday to eleven hours of driving time. There may be limited exceptions for driving in adverse weather where it takes longer to reach a destination or drivers who are on a one day work week schedule who can work up to sixteen hours in a day. If drivers are allowed to work additional hours in a day beyond the eleven hour driving window, this time must be spent engaged in non-driving activities such as loading cargo or maintaining the truck.

Fatigued driving

Truck drivers are at high risk for fatigued driving due to their schedules and the repetitive nature of their work. When someone drives while sleep deprived, their chances of making a mistake on the roads increases greatly. There have been numerous accidents caused by truckers who temporarily fall asleep, even for just a few seconds, and lose control of their vehicle. Research has also shown that a driver who is tired cannot react quickly enough to avoid many standard road hazards. Vehicles operated by a fatigued driver have also been known to drift in and out of traffic lanes.

Penalties for not following regulations

Any trucker who is found to be in violation of these rules will have to complete certain steps. The driver may be forced to spend several hours off duty until they have spent enough time at rest to be able to drive legally again. State police or local law enforcement can issue citations and fine the driver or their parent business. A driver who has repeat violations can receive a poor safety rating, which can affect their future employment prospects and be used as evidence of negligence if lawsuits are filed. In extreme cases, criminal charges may be brought by the federal government if a company purposely violates these regulations on a regular basis. An accident victim may choose to contact a lawyer to sue the trucker and their employer.

Information about lawsuits against negligent truck drivers

Anyone who has recently been involved in a truck collision can receive help from an experienced personal injury attorney. Scandurro Layrisson is a firm that assists clients in New Orleans with lawsuits against drivers who are responsible for their losses.

Firm contact info:

Scandurro Layrisson LLC

607 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

504-522-7100

www.scanlayr.com

Baton Rouge, LA – Truck collisions can be very dangerous because of the possibility of serious or fatal injuries to anyone involved. Because of this possibility and the potential for related problems, truck drivers need to receive special types of training to be able to operate their vehicles legally on the nation’s roads. The procedures that must be followed immediately after an accident can be a crucial factor in getting help to injured people at the accident scene.

Checking the area after a crash

Truck drivers are instructed to check the scene and the area to see if anyone requires medical attention. If there are any injuries or apparent serious damage to any vehicles, they should contact the police or emergency services through 911 immediately. Most drivers have some kind of first aid training, and they should check to see if anyone needs to be brought to safety. However, in some situations, improperly moving an injured accident victim around can cause greater harm or even paralysis. Whether the driver followed these procedures or not can be an important piece of evidence if there is a truck accident lawsuit.

Damage to the cargo

Semi trucks can carry enough cargo at once that there are large dollar amounts to be lost in cases of damage or improper handling. There is also the possibility that hazardous cargo can cause serious issues if it is released onto an open road and infects the local environment. The driver may need to place signs or road flares near the truck and any spilled cargo to alert oncoming drivers of the obstacles. These actions are supplemented by the police after arrival, as they will normally be able to divert traffic away from the crash area.

Contacting the trucking business

Once the area is secured, the driver will need to contact both their employer and the relevant insurance provider to report the collision and any other potential losses such as damage to the truck itself or the cargo. Many businesses choose to send another truck out to pick up the cargo and transport the driver away from the area.

Lawsuits against the trucking company

If there are injured drivers, it is likely that the trucking company will be attached as a defendant in a civil lawsuit. The victims will try to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and other losses that were due to the collision.

Getting in touch with a lawyer after a truck crash

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf handle lawsuits for clients who need to receive compensation after their accidents in the Baton Rouge area. An initial meeting is the best way for new clients to learn about the value of their case and other related matters.

Firm contact info:

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf

3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225-343-2205

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