In 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its 2012 Annual Report that includes data
regarding the number of people injured or killed in accidents involving large
trucks. NHTSA defines large trucks also called semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, or
tractor trailers as vehicles with a gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
In 2012 according
to this report there were 3,921 people killed and 104,000 people injured in
crashes involving large trucks and 317,000 large trucks were involved in
traffic crashes that year. Large trucks were more likely to be involved in a
fatal multiple-vehicle crash as opposed to a fatal single-vehicle crash than
were passenger vehicles.
There are federal laws and regulations governing the trucking
industry. These laws establish certain standards that trucking companies,
owners and drivers must meet. Agencies that regulate truck driving include the
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA). Every state has a department of transportation with its
own set of trucking regulations.
If
you are the victim of a trucking accident, many times the questions of who is
responsible and what actually caused the accident are more complicated than the
accident. It is important to understand how the accident happened, who was
responsible and to establish liability or fault. Because the trucking laws,
rules and regulations differ from the rules of the road governing cars it
important to know if any of the parties involved in a trucking accident were
not in compliance with the trucking laws, rules and regulations.
When it comes to truck accidents, there are a variety of people
that may be responsible for a victim's injuries, including:
·
truck's driver;
·
owner of the truck or
trailer;
·
manufacturer of the
vehicle, tires, or other parts that may have contributed to the cause or
severity of the accident; and
·
shipper or loader of
the truck's cargo (in cases involving improper loading).
If you or a loved one has been in a large truck accident call
the experienced trucking lawyers at Hopkins,
Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. we know how to preserve all the important
pieces of evidence for you. We know how to secure the scene of an accident and
take necessary photographs and statements, which is very critical so they are
not lost, misplaced or purposely destroyed.
Hopkins,
Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., focuses
on representing individuals and their family members
in personal injury and wrongful death cases, such as those often involved in
truck accidents. Contact us and we will evaluate your case at no
cost or obligation. With more than 66 years of combined
legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the
representation they need.
Contact us online or
call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with
an experienced lawyer.
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