As you can imagine, a collision or accident involving a commercial truck versus a passenger vehicle or a pedestrian can be pretty catastrophic for those in the passenger car or pedestrians, considering the size of the truck. If you or someone close to you is injured by a truck, there are many things you need to know about the law surrounding trucks and truck accidents. The best course of action that you can take after a crash is to consult with a truck accident in Conyers Georgia for legal guidance.

Truck accident lawyers have the necessary experience to help you navigate through the entire process smoothly. They will act as your legal resource and also communicate with the insurance companies to ensure you are reimbursed for any injuries or damage.

Here is what you need to know about your truck accident case:

Regulation

The trucking industry is regulated by state and federal laws which determine standards that need to be adhered to by all drivers and trucking companies. These laws can determine liability in the event of a commercial truck accident. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the US Department of Transportation are the two main federal agencies that regulate the trucking industry. Every state has its transportation department that oversees intra-state commercial trucking. If you are involved in an accident that involved a big rig, semi-truck and so on, as a result of another’s negligence or careless acts, then the driver and his company may be held liable for your injuries and damage.

Laws

Truck drivers and companies are required to adhere to a range of requirements, including:

• Commercial driver licenses – all commercial truck drivers must follow the case law and state statutes on commercial driver’s licensing.
• Rest for the driver – truck drivers need to take break and rest after specified hours of service
• Maximum weight permitted – a truck should carry a specified weight depending on its size. Overloading a truck is dangerous.
• Quality controls of trucks – the trucks are regulated both in repairs and manufacturing to ensure quality control.
• Hazardous waste – all drivers are obliged to follow the safety regulations for transporting hazardous materials.

Common causes of truck accidents

Truck accidents can be as a result of many things. But most of them are due to:

• Reckless driving
• Speeding
• Failure to yield
• Improper lane changes
• Failing to secure load
• Driving for too many consecutive hours
• Driving while tired

Liability

Many different parties can be held liable for truck accidents. One or more of the following individuals/entities will be responsible for compensating victims:

• The truck owner
• Manufacturer of the truck parts
• The truck maintenance expert
• Trucking company
• The freight owner

Filing a lawsuit

The statute of limitation for filing a truck accident lawsuit will depend on the state where the accident happened. In Conyers, one has two years to file a claim – starting at the time of the crash. Since this window period varies from state to state, it’s a good idea to speak to a truck accident lawyer soon after the accident for advice.