Hurt By A Negligent Truck Driver In Kentucky? T.J. Will Make ‘Em Pay.
According to the Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics, more than 5,000 trucks are involved in fatal accidents every year. Approximately 59% of these accidents involve tractors pulling one semi trailer.
If you or a family member was harmed by the negligence of a Kentucky truck driver, do not wait to exercise your rights. Turn to T.J. Smith, Attorney at Law. Our Louisville lawyer provides personal service to each and every client. He has more than three decades of experience and has recovered more than $250 million for accident victims like you.
How Are Trucking Companies And Trucking Regulations Contributing To Truck Accidents?
Trucking companies across various industries, such as food trucking, oil trucking and retail goods, play a significant role in road safety. Unfortunately, certain practices and oversights within these industries can lead to dangerous situations on the road, including:
- Food truck industry: In the food trucking industry, companies often face pressure to deliver perishable goods quickly. This can lead to unsafe practices. Drivers might be encouraged to work longer hours than they should. This leads to driver fatigue. Tired drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and more accidents.
- Oil trucking: In oil trucking, the emphasis on cost-cutting over safety can be particularly hazardous. As a result, companies might neglect regular vehicle maintenance. This results in equipment failures such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts. Mechanical issues can cause serious accidents, especially with the heavy loads carried by oil tankers.
- Retail goods: Retail goods trucking faces challenges with improperly loaded cargo, which can lead to unbalanced trailers. This makes them more prone to tipping over, especially during sudden maneuvers or in adverse weather conditions.
Trucking regulations aim to ensure safety, but they can fall short if not properly enforced across these industries. For instance, regulations set maximum driving hours to prevent fatigue, but some companies might overlook these rules to meet tight deadlines.
Addressing The Underlying Issues In Truck Accidents
Here are a few common problems that can result in serious tractor-trailer accidents:
- Truck driver fatigue: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets strict limits on how many hours a commercial truck driver can go without a certain amount of rest. Not all drivers follow these regulations, however. Some attempt to earn extra money by driving too far with too little sleep and this puts innocent people at risk of serious accidents.
- Overly aggressive drivers: Some truckers seem to feel that because their tractor-trailer is bigger than other vehicles on the road, they have the right of way all the time. This can lead to a “bully” mentality. For instance, when they start to change lanes, they expect that other vehicles will simply get out of the way.
- Demanding trucking companies: Some trucking companies wink at safety while pushing their drivers for more hours and more miles. Companies may also fail to properly train drivers, fail to maintain the tractor-trailers, overload the vehicles and engage in other types of negligence.
The underlying issues in truck accidents mean that multiple parties can be held liable for negligence when a trucking accident happens. With more than 30 years of experience, our tractor-trailer accident attorney, T.J., will thoroughly investigate the possible causes of your accident to hold responsible parties accountable and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Consult A Louisville Tractor-Trailer Attorney For Free
T.J. offers a free initial consultation and case evaluation. For your free appointment, contact T.J. Smith, Attorney at Law, by sending us a message or by calling 502-677-1429.