A seasoned Washington DC trucking accident lawyer understands how devastating it can be for victims who are injured in tractor-trailer and semi-truck accidents. The lawyers at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. have decades of combined legal experience advocating for truck accident victims and their families. We are available to discuss your situation and the legal recourse you may have.
Accidents Caused by Truck Drivers
As a Washington DC trucking accident lawyer might attest, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has placed stringent federal regulations in place that all trucking companies and truck drivers are required to follow. These regulations are in place to protect truck drivers as well as other people on the road. There are rules regarding how many hours in a given period a driver can operate their vehicle, weight limits on the cargo they are transporting, and other safety regulations. Unfortunately, these regulations are often ignored and the results can be tragic.
One of the most frequent – and avoidable – causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. FMCSA requires that drivers follow the Hours of Service Regulations (HOS) the agency has put in place. The HOS rules stipulate how many hours a truck driver can be on the road, how many consecutive days of the week they can drive, and when they are required to take mandatory breaks.
A Washington DC trucking accident lawyer realizes that many trucking companies put enormous pressure on drivers. These companies might create nearly impossible delivery schedules for drivers to meet and still stay within the HOS. Drivers might choose to stay on the road too long, skip mandated breaks, or become too fatigued to be behind the wheel.
Another common cause of truck accidents is that many drivers do not have enough training and experience to handle these massive vehicles. Tractor-trailers are difficult to maneuver and require much more time to bring to a complete stop. This inexperience can – and does – lead to serious accidents.
In addition to driver fatigue and inexperience, speeding is another common reason for serious truck accidents. When a truck driver is speeding, they risk not leaving enough time for to apply the brakes in sudden slowdowns or stops (as mentioned above). Driving too fast along curves of a highway also greatly increases the risk of rollover accidents.
In many truck accidents, the driver has failed to make sure other vehicles have not entered the truck’s blind spots or no zones. These are areas that a truck driver cannot see if a vehicle is as they are driving. These blind spots are why it is so critical that a truck driver utilize all their mirrors before they switch lanes, take turns, or back up.
Call a Washington DC Trucking Accident Lawyer Today
If you have sustained injuries in a truck accident, you may need an aggressive trucking accident lawyer in Washington DC advocating for you. The legal team at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. has successfully represented truck accident victims and their families in obtaining financial compensation for their injuries.
Contact a Washington DC trucking accident lawyer at (202) 759-7415 for a free case evaluation.