According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2017 saw the largest increase in trucking accident fatalities in 29 years. According to many in the trucking industry, this increase in trucking accident fatalities may be tied directly to drivers’ resistance to federal trucking rules mandated in recent years. Many truck drivers are breaking the federal rule that requires a rest break after eight straight hours of driving. Why are these drivers breaking “rest break” rules? Pressure to deliver their loads quickly may be partly to blame.
Trucking companies put intense pressure on their drivers to deliver the goods as quickly and efficiently as possible. To do this, many drivers resort to speeding, driving recklessly or breaking the mandated “rest break” rule. When drivers are forced to decrease the time they spend behind the wheel for sleeping and breaks, they are often pressured to drive in an unsafe manner – putting themselves and everyone around them at risk.
Truck Driving is a Deadly Career
Unfortunately, truck drivers are at a greater risk for getting into a serious and fatal accident In fact, truck driving remains one of the deadliest occupations in the country. In fact, in 2015, 745 drivers were killed on the job last year alone. This is largely because the trucking industry employs a large portion of inexperienced drivers every year. Long hours, low pay, and lonely working conditions create an industry with a high rate of turnover every year. In addition, trucking companies don’t take the time to adequately train new drivers and this can cause serious accidents and injuries to many.
Further Reading: Winter Driving Essentials Everyone Should Have in Their Car
How Can An Attorney Help?
The trucking industry is governed by a specific set of complex laws and regulations. In the event of an accident involving a large truck, important evidence will need to be collected in order to investigate your case properly. Driving logs, maintenance records and black box data should be collected and carefully examined for information pertinent to your claim. This evidence can sometimes be lost or destroyed in the course of an investigation, so it’s important to have an attorney on your side who knows how to handle these complex cases. Without one, insurance companies and large legal teams of the trucking company will try to minimize the amount of compensation they need to pay out to victims involved.
Contact Our Arvada Trucking Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been injured in a trucking accident in Arvada, Northglenn, Thornton, or anywhere in Northern Colorado, it is important to contact our experienced Arvada trucking accident attorneys immediately. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our committed lawyers are dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves justice. Contact us at (303) 423-1770 or (866) 385-3505.
Our lawyers have extensive experience representing injured trucking accident victims in Broomfield, Arvada, Superior, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, Longmont, and throughout Colorado.