The commercial trucking industry is highly regulated. Despite this, some tractor-trailer drivers violate rules required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Often, drivers and trucking corporations alike are actively in non-compliance with federal mandates and state policies.
A major cause of truck accidents is distracted driving, which is a violation of these regulations. Those injured in distracted driving truck accidents in Clarkesville should not have to pay for their losses alone. If a preoccupied truck driver injured you or a loved one, a truck accident attorney could determine the best possible route for collecting compensation.
Under GA Code § 40-6-241, a driver must exercise due care to avoid any distractions on the road. Georgia law specifically prohibits any of the following acts behind the wheel:
While it is also against the law to dial a phone number, there are exceptions for making phone calls in cases of emergencies, to report a crime, or to call in an accident. This law also does not apply to public officials such as police officers, ambulance workers, and firefighters during work shifts. A well-informed Clarkesville attorney could provide an in-depth breakdown of state laws on distracted driving as part of a potential truck accident claim.
The FMCSA, as well as state and federal laws, regulate how both truckers and trucking corporations must operate. Specifically, U.S.C. 49 § 392 prohibits semi-truck operators from:
According to the same statutory section, tractor-trailers must always have industry-standard equipment, and truckers are subject to random inspections by FMCSA. Big trucks also have to use extra caution during inclement weather and when pulled over on the side of the road. This includes using hazard signs and when applicable, flares. The FMCSA also instructs operators to take at least a thirty-minute break after driving for a continuous fourteen-hour period following ten hours of non-driving time.
Anyone injured by a distracted truck driver who neglected these obligations should meet with a Clarkesville accident lawyer about the possibility of pursuing compensation.
Inattentive truck drivers are a massive threat to every other person on the road. Trucking corporations often attempt to get ahead of potential lawsuits by hiring legal counsel whose primary goal is to find loopholes in the law to maximize profits and avoid liability.
Perceptive legal counsel could prepare a strong case to protect and enforce the rights of those injured by distracted truckers. An attorney could negotiate for a fair settlement from lawbreaking diesel drivers, big rig corporations, and negligent vehicle manufacturers. A helpful Clarkesville attorney could save an injured person time and money when pursuing compensation after a distracted driving truck crash.
Injured individuals only have two years from the date an accident occurred to take legal action against the person or entity responsible for causing it. The clock can run fast, especially when you are also managing your physical and mental recovery.
After a distracted driving truck accident in Clarkesville, a dedicated lawyer could expeditiously file your case and work on your behalf to recover fair compensation from at-fault parties. Call Smith Hulsey Law now to schedule your consultation.
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