Many commercial tractor-trailers pull one or more detachable trailers and are used to transport various goods and equipment. It is common for drivers of these trucks to travel great distances.
Under the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a driver of a commercial motor vehicle (such as a semi-trailer truck) is not permitted to drive when his or her ability to drive is impaired due to fatigue or illness to such an extent that it is unsafe to drive. Further, drivers can only be on the road for a limited number of hours. For example, an individual driving a truck carrying property can only drive a maximum of 11 hours after he or she has been off duty for at least 10 consecutive hours.
A Salt Lake City UT truck accident lawyer knows that some of the other issues that truck regulation addresses include retention of the driving log, the size and weight of the vehicle, required maintenance of the truck.
Who can be held liable for a truck accident?
Despite the regulations placed on the trucking industry, accidents still occur. Some of the more common reasons why accidents occur include because the driver is under a tight deadline, deprived of sleep, or distracted due to using a cellular phone or other devices. When these accidents occur, there are many individuals or entities that potentially can be held liable, including:- The driver
- Trucking company
- Owner of the truck
- Truck manufacturer
- Parties responsible for inspection or maintenance
