Because of their sheer size and weight alone, an 18-wheeler collision can easily result in catastrophic injuries and damages. This is why truck drivers must follow a certain set of safety regulations to avoid such a devastating event. Continue reading to learn what safety violations commonly lead to 18-wheeler accidents and how one of the Howard County truck accident attorneys at Lloyd J. Eisenberg & Associates can help you through this situation.
What safety regulations do truck drivers need to follow?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), fully loaded commercial trucks traveling up to 65 miles per hour require the length of almost two football fields to come to a complete stop. In addition, the FMCSA reports that 18-wheelers have large blind spots of up to 20 feet ahead of the truck, 30 feet behind the truck, one lane width to the left of the truck, and two lanes widths to the right of the truck.
What safety violations commonly cause 18-wheeler accidents?
With these safety regulations considered, a truck driver must proceed with more caution than a driver of a standard passenger vehicle. Examples of safety violations, as reported by the FMCSA, that may cause an 18-wheeler accident to occur include the following:
- Failing to brake on time due to speeding or tailgating.
- Failing to brake on time before making a sharp turn.
- Failing to brake on time to yield at a right of way.
- Failing to make a complete stop before a railroad crossing.
- Failing to check large blind spots before merging or changing lanes.
- Failing to obey a traffic control device due to driving distractedly or recklessly.
- Failing to place warning devices on the truck.
- Failing to secure the truck’s contents before hitting the road.
- Failing to conduct a truck inspection before hitting the road.
What should I do if I am involved in an 18-wheeler accident?
If you were a driver of a standard passenger vehicle and collided with an 18-wheeler, then you may be suffering from serious injuries and damages. Especially if your accident was due to no fault of your own, you should file a personal injury claim. This may just be the only way you can receive the financial compensation that you require to heal.
Importantly, you must bring your claim forward by a certain deadline. Also known as the statute of limitations, this deadline in the state of Maryland is typically three years from the date of your accident. And even if you miss this deadline by a day, you may be permanently barred from a lawsuit.
To avoid missing out on this opportunity, you must not hesitate in reaching out to one of the skilled Howard County auto accident attorneys. Give us a call today.
