The dangers of the commercial trucking industry are well-known. Semi-trucks are massive and often fast-moving. These vehicles can cause tremendous damages during collisions that leave devastation in their wake. When small passenger vehicles are involved, the resulting injuries are usually quite severe. In fact, in many instances, these events prove deadly.
Determining whether truckers or their vehicles were at fault is always a key part of recovering damages. As such, semi-truck accidents typically warrant exhaustive investigations of both trucker health and overall vehicle fitness.
When Commercial Truckers Drive While Impaired
There are a number of factors that can impact a trucker’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. Given that these professionals are compensated for miles covered rather than hours driven, they have a strong incentive to work for long stretches of time, even when they are tired and unable to maintain focus. Moreover, problems with cocaine, methamphetamine, and other stimulants are believed to be rampant within the trucking community.
When you work with a truck accident lawyer, your attorney will use various investigative strategies and resources to learn more about the well-being of the trucker responsible for your accident, both before and at the time of the event. This can include ordering drug and alcohol tests, learning more about the number of hours that were recently logged by the driver, and researching their driving history. Truckers and the companies that employ them have a responsibility to ensure that they’re in a fit driving condition at all times.
Investing the General Fitness of Semi-Trucks
Even when truckers are not too sleepy to drive safely or otherwise impaired, mechanical problems with their vehicles can lead to disaster. Just as trucking companies are responsible for making sure that their drivers are alert and ready for the challenges of operating their vehicles, these entities must also ensure that semi-trucks are well-maintained.
Worn tires, defective braking system, and other mechanical issues can be the root causes of serious commercial trucking accidents. Although drivers might perform timely evasive actions, if their vehicles are lacking in maintenance or in need of significant repairs, these efforts may not be sufficient for preventing injuries or saving lives.
When commercial trucks are investigated post-collision, some of the evidence and factors that are reviewed include:
- Recent maintenance logs
- Recent repair reports
- Model-specific information including recalls for damaged or defective truck parts
When maintenance or repair efforts are deemed insufficient, commercial trucking companies can be held liable for accidents. However, if specific truck models are determined to have defective components or serious mechanical issues, the companies that have manufactured these vehicles may be held liable instead.
Commercial Driver Qualification Files
Every commercial trucker must have an official Driver Qualification File (DQF). This file should contain detailed information on the driver’s training and individual qualifications for operating heavy commercial vehicles. It must show that the driver has been verified as being at least 21 years of age, and has completed the minimum training for the type of vehicle being operated. It should additionally include:
- Yearly medical certifications
- Official training certificates
- Alcohol and drug screening results
- Results from road tests
- Detailed employment history records
Discrepancies or shortcomings in a trucker’s DQF can provide a clear path to holding a commercial trucking company accountable for any accident that this individual is involved in. Even when a trucker’s DQF is complete, there can still be incriminating information in the file that may be used to build a case, or to collect other necessary evidence for doing so.
When a person is injured due to the negligence of a commercial truck driver or a commercial trucking company, holding the responsible party accountable is essential. Not only does this allow accident victims to get the compensation that they need and deserve, but it also sets the stage for ensuring higher safety standards in this notoriously dangerous field.
With their exhaustive investigations, attorneys can consider all factors contributing to an accident, and can determine whether truckers, their employers, or vehicle manufacturers are to blame.
