Truck Accident Lawyer

Generally, CMVs and ‘large trucks’ refer to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds. This might include several types of vehicles, such as semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, flatbeds, 18-wheelers, buses, large shuttles, delivery trucks, etc.

These vehicles often include features that make them particularly dangerous on the road and in an accident.

For example:

• Trucks require longer stopping distances.
• Cargo can shift and affect the maneuverability of a truck.
• Large trucks often transport dangerous or hazardous materials.
• CMVs are often equipped with air brakes (as opposed to hydraulic brakes), which can be dangerous if not properly maintained.

Because of these and a number of other features, operating and maintaining a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) isn’t easy. It comes with responsibilities that exceed what’s expected of other drivers and are enforced by both state and federal regulations. These regulations address the heightened risk that CMVs pose to other drivers on the road. They are meant to minimize the possibility of large truck drivers causing collisions with personal vehicles.

For example, commercial truck drivers:

• Are required to maintain a current commercial driver’s license
• May not exceed daily driving limits
• Can’t drive fatigued
• Cannot drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Cannot overfill a truck beyond its maximum weight or capacity
• Are responsible for regular brake and tire inspections

Furthermore, there are rules and regulations that reach beyond driver behavior—these rules must be followed by other members of the supply chain to ensure safety on our roadways.

For example:

• Trucking companies must make sure that hazardous materials are appropriately labeled, classed, described,
  packaged, and marked.
• Employers must routinely have their drivers submit to drug and alcohol testing.
• All trucking companies must maintain a mandated
  level of insurance.
• Records of maintenance must be kept and organized.
• Employers can only hire healthy, qualified, English-speaking drivers; they must also keep a record of each driver’s route, their hours, traffic violations, accidents, and drug
  screening test records.

If a driver or trucking company fails to follow all the applicable rules and regulations, they may be held liable for any injuries or damages they cause.

If you have been involved in a truck crash, an experienced truck accident attorney at the North Carolina and South Carolina DeMayo Law Offices can investigate whether any regulations were broken and if broken, how they contributed to the crash. From there, we can help you determine the best path to compensation for the damages you have suffered.