
Truck drivers often dominate the freeways in and around Phoenix. We all know that they’re bigger than we are and that they can’t stop quickly, so most of us give truckers plenty of space and get out of the way if they’re bearing down on us. It also means that trucker safety is important to everyone on the roads.
However, many accidents on I-10 and I-17 involve big trucks—and that leads us to wonder why. What is it that’s causing these accidents (some of them fatal) and what can we do about it? Is it our driving, or is it trucker safety regulations?
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients who have been in a trucking accident due to not following trucker safety regulations. Our offices are conveniently located in nearby Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person at our nearby offices, over the phone, or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car very soon and finding a nearby doctor who can help you. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
Federal law says that, both for trucker safety and public safety, truck drivers have to get a certain amount of rest before they drive, and they’re not allowed to drive more than 11 hours per day. While trucking companies are responsible for tracking the number of hours their drivers spend behind the wheel, like with any law, you can expect some people to break it.
There are also other federal trucker safety regulations that require truck drivers to have 10 consecutive hours off before they’re allowed to drive. That means back-to-back shifts aren’t allowed. Drivers must also take a 30-minute break when they’re on the road.
These federal laws are designed to prevent truckers from falling asleep behind the wheel or “zoning out.” Both of those things put other motorists—you and me—at risk on the roads.
For most companies, the biggest concern is simple: money. They’re interested in spending less and making more. Sure, that’s understandable; everyone who’s in business tries to get ahead. However, problems are inevitable when a company puts profits over safety, as was the case when a Mexican tour bus in California killed eight people because none of its brakes worked.
The company had been cited multiple times for blatant safety violations, but they continued to operate, putting everyone on the road at serious risk.
Maintenance is expensive. We all get that. But you can’t put a price tag on safety, and some trucking companies genuinely don’t care. Yes, there are good companies with stellar safety records, but it only takes one mistake to cost someone dearly.
The reality is that most trucking accidents are caused by either a purposeful or accidental breaking of trucker safety regulation. Here are some of the most common causes:
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their personal injuries, including those from trucking accidents in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you have been in a trucking accident because of a lack of trucker safety, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.