Belleville Truck Driver Negligence Accident Lawyer
Hipskind & McAninch, LLC: Standing Up to Dangerous Drivers
While long-haul truck drivers are usually competent, the requirements of the job and daily distractions can sometimes get the best of them. When a semi-truck causes a crash because its driver failed to use reasonable care behind the wheel, that driver can and should be held accountable.
In fact, data shows that when a truck and a passenger vehicle collide, the truck is responsible about 44% of the time. Out of those cases, the truck’s driver, rather than the vehicle or the environment, is responsible about 87% of the time.
If you were involved in an accident with a large truck, you need a tough, skilled attorney. Trucking companies and their insurers will fight hard to avoid paying you compensation for your injuries and losses. But we at Hipskind & McAninch, LLC, used to work for the other side, and we know all their tactics. For a free consultation with our Belleville truck accident attorneys, call (618) 641-9189 today.
Causes of Truck Driver Negligence
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) categorizes driver-caused truck crashes in four ways:
- Non-performance: A factor outside of the driver’s thinking or overt behavior caused the accident. Example: the driver failed to get an adequate night’s sleep and fell asleep behind the wheel. This issue is responsible for 12% of crashes.
- Recognition: The driver was inattentive, was distracted by something inside or outside the vehicle, or failed to observe the situation adequately for some other reason. This issue is responsible for 28% of crashes.
- Decision: The driver made a poor choice; for example, she drove too fast for conditions, misjudged the speed of other vehicles, or followed other vehicles too closely. This issue is responsible for 38% of crashes.
- Performance: The driver made a physical performance error. For example, he panicked and overcompensated or exercised poor directional control. This issue is responsible for 9% of crashes.
Who Regulates Truck Drivers?
Many causes of truck crashes, like fatigued driving and distracted driving, are directly caused by the driver violating U.S. trucking regulations. Federal hours-of-service rules dictate that property-carrying drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and may drive only if eight hours have passed since the end of the driver’s last off-duty or sleeper berth period of at least 30 minutes. The U.S. Department of Transportation officially prohibits truck drivers from using cellphones during the operation of their vehicles. The definition of “using a cell phone” is very specific, but essentially truck drivers must use hands-free technology.
However, truck drivers may feel significant motivation to break these rules. They may feel pressure from the company to be more efficient by driving longer and sleeping less, and may not want to pull over in order to pick up their mobile phones.
But these regulations are in place for good reason – they prevent crashes. If a truck driver violates federal law before or during a crash, he and his company are much more likely to be held liable for the injuries and damages that result from the crash.
Get Help from a Belleville Truck Accident Attorney
In the unfortunate event that you have been hit by a negligent truck driver, make sure you never speak to an investigator or insurance company representative without a lawyer present. As soon as an accident occurs, the trucking company goes to work, even sending a cleanup crew out to the scene to hide evidence of guilt.
When you call us, our knowledgeable Belleville truck accident attorneys go to work to prove truck driver negligence and win you the compensation you deserve to recover fully.
Hipskind & McAninch, LLC, has a 5-star rating, and we’ll answer your calls day or night. Getting justice for our clients is our goal, and we won’t charge you a dime until we have done just that. For a free consultation, call our Belleville office at (618) 641-9189.