Spokane Truck Accident Attorney

Protecting Drivers by Enforcing the Rules of the Road for Semi-Truck Drivers

Did you know that one out of every eight automotive accident fatalities involves a large truck such as a big rig or tractor trailer? Every 16 minutes, a crash or collision occurs. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, roughly 500‚000 trucking accidents (involving trucks at least 10‚000 pounds) occur every year. Between 4,000 to 5,000 people lose their lives as a result of these accidents. The majority of trucking accidents occur on weekends when friends and family are more likely to be traveling together. Trucking safety precautions matter.

Sweetser Law Office and our Spoke trucking accident attorney know the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), who are enforced and promoted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations officially publishes all of the FMCSR's findings to the public.

Big Rigs: 18-Wheeler Trucks and the Law

These Federal regulations apply to trucking companies and their drivers operating in commerce that is interstate, including: vehicle inspections, vehicle safety, and the negligence of drivers as well as the trucking company as a whole. In addition, these regulations apply to the hiring, training, and supervision of the trucking company's drivers.

As a large part of the FMCSR's mission, one of their goals is the regulations surrounding Hours of Service (HOS). This operates as a preventative measure against driver fatigue that in-turn causes a majority of truck accidents. Any violation of one of these regulations by a trucking company or driver could be grounds to recover damages for a truck accident victim’s injuries or death due to the company’s and/or driver’s negligence.

Because Spokane is the largest city between Seattle and Minneapolis, it is a hub for trucking activity involving many businesses and industries. Truck companies usually get paid by the mile, so truck drivers have an incentive to deliver their loads as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the trucking industries financial motives can encourage driving for long hours and unsafe activities on our roads including truck driver fatigue from overstressed or overworked drivers, defective equipment, distracted driving, improperly secured trailers or overloaded trucks.

Long Haul Truck Drivers Are Required To Take Extra Precautions

The accident scene, authority’s findings in the investigation, the condition of the big rig, and federal regulations compliance should all be investigated as early as possible after an accident. Important evidence after a serious truck accident can include logbooks, black box or computer event data, documents evidencing the load and prior deliveries, inspection of the tractor-trailer, inspection of the accident scene, or poor Training Policies. James R. Sweetser has experience handling complex litigation as a truck accident attorney and understands how to hold those responsible accountable for the injuries caused.