Truck accidents in Connecticut can be devastating. These crashes often result in serious injuries and fatalities because of the size and weight of the big rigs.
In many cases, accidents involving 18-wheelers can be traced back to unsafe driving behavior. The truck driver might have been speeding or texting instead of paying attention to the road. According to an article in FreightWaves, the number of truck accidents has been increasing in recent years – up more than 40 percent between 2013 and 2022.
The federal government is weighing new rules for more carriers
Federal regulators are seeking public input from the public to address safety issues with motor carriers, according to FreightWaves. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published an “advance notice of proposed rulemaking” that indicates the agency wants feedback on using its safety management system to issue safety fitness determinations.
The report lists several questions asking for comment. Among them, the FMCSA asks if motor carriers that transport passengers, such as buses, should be subject to higher standards than other motor carriers, such as trucks carrying freight.
Should trucking companies face tougher safety rules?
The FMCSA identifies driver error as a leading cause of trucking accidents. The following are other top causes of crashes involving tractor-trailers:
- Equipment failure: Some semi-trucks operate with poorly maintained equipment, such as faulty brakes or worn tires. Some trucks have parts with manufacturing defects.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Truck drivers should stay sober and alert, but some make reckless choices such as drinking and driving or using other intoxicants that can increase the risk of an accident.
- Fatigue: While drivers have limits on how long they can stay behind the wheel, some companies put pressure on truckers to stay on the road longer than allowed. Tired drivers are not alert and cannot react quickly, which increases the risk of a truck accident.
- Reckless driving: Truck drivers sometimes exceed the speed limit or go too fast for the road conditions. Speeding or driving recklessly can lead to serious accidents such as rollovers or jackknife crashes.
- Distracted driving: Drivers of large vehicles need to focus on the road ahead, but sometimes look at smartphones. They might get distracted by objects along the side of the road or even by other passengers who are talking to them.
These are a few of the top factors in accidents involving larger motor carriers, including commercial trucks. A truck accident lawyer in Connecticut knows that safety must remain a top priority. The move by the FMCSA to consider new safety rules for carriers is a step in the right direction.
What to do if you're involved in a truck accident
Any accident is traumatic. Crashes involving large trucks are not only traumatic, but they can also lead to complex insurance claims.
After a crash, insurance companies are quick to look at ways to reduce liability. They might downplay a victim’s injuries. They might deny the truck driver or trucking company was at fault. A victim might even get contacted by the adjuster, who may try to elicit comments that can hurt the injury claim.
That’s why it’s important not to talk to the insurance companies after a crash. Instead, you should contact a truck accident attorney in Connecticut for a free consultation.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a trucking accident, contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. There is no obligation when you contact us. We will listen to you and help you find the best path forward.
The aftermath of an accident can be an overwhelming time. But with an experienced attorney on your side, you can focus on what matters – your recovery. We can take on the insurance companies for you. We fight aggressively for clients to help them recover the compensation they need after a trucking accident.
Contact us today. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Tell them you mean business.