Last month, the driver of a 2002 Hyundai Elantra was fatally injured when he crashed into a semi-truck that had run a stop sign. According to a report by The Daily Standard, the truck driver did not see the stop sign at the intersection of Routes 118 and 29. As the truck driver sped through the intersection, the driver of the Hyundai also entered the intersection, colliding with the semi-truck just behind the truck’s wheels. The car went under the semi-truck and emerged on the other side. As the Hyundai emerged, it crashed into another vehicle that was stopped at a stop sign.The driver of the Hyundai was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicles were uninjured. Police took the truck driver to the hospital where his blood was drawn to test for the presence of alcohol or drugs. Police also suspect that weather may have played a role in the accident, that occurred the day after a snowstorm left over an inch of snow on the ground.
Semi-Truck Drivers and Government Regulations
Semi-trucks are the largest vehicles on the road. Fill a truck up with cargo and it can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Because of their size, weight, and inability to quickly maneuver, semi-trucks are some of the most dangerous hazards a driver can encounter on a daily basis.
Because of this, the state and federal governments regulate the trucking industry fairly heavily, requiring truck drivers stay within compliance in order to ensure a safe journey for other drivers.
Resting Requirements
A tired truck driver is a dangerous truck driver. So the government has decided that all semi-truck drivers who travel across state lines are subject to certain resting requirements. For example, a semi-truck driver can only drive 8 hours a day and must take at least one 30-minute break during that time. In addition, regulations require that truck drivers only drive a certain number of hours per week.
Load Restrictions
Because an overloaded truck makes it more difficult to maneuver, accelerate and, most importantly, stop, the government requires that trucks only carry up to a certain amount of cargo weight, depending on the size of the truck.
When truck drivers are not in compliance with government regulations, they are being unsafe and are much more likely to cause an accident. The victims of these accidents are entitled to compensation based on the driver’s negligence.
Have You Been Injured in a Truck Accident?
If you have been injured in a truck accident in the Indiana area, you need to speak with an experienced Indiana personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Depending on the specific facts of your case, you may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation for your past medical bills, future medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering. Call 888-532-7766 to speak with an Indiana accident attorney today, or contact the firm online.
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Two Women in Custody for Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident in Indianapolis, Indiana Accident Attorneys, September 30, 2013.
Shocking Indiana Drunk Driving Accidents and Lawsuits – Summer 2013 Indiana Accident Attorneys, August 26, 2013.