Trucking Accidents

Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are governed by industry-specific rules promulgated by the federal government.

Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as drafted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, lists all of the laws and regulations that govern the entire trucking industry in the United States. The code is very specific – from rules about how to properly secure a load to rules regarding the number of hours a driver is permitted to operate the truck during certain periods without rest or break periods.

Our Palm Beach County truck accident attorneys are very familiar with the applicable federal regulations which govern truck drivers and delineate how drivers must operate a tractor-trailer.

When a commercial truck causes a traffic accident, Trelles & Bichler investigates whether any of the governing regulations were violated by the truck driver and their employer so that negligence on the part of the commercial motor carrier is more easily proven.

To learn more about how our experience as Palm Beach County truck accident attorneys can help you, call (561) 299-HURT for a free consultation.

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Steps Involved in Investigating the Cause of a Large Truck Accident Case

1. Identifying the Owner and Operator to Preserve Key Evidence
   Traffic accidents involving large trucks, such as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, big rigs, tractor-trailers, and other commercial vehicles, typically involve many parties. The first step our Trelles & Bichler legal team takes in a large truck accident case is to properly and accurately identify the owner and operator of the truck.
   
   We place the owner and operator of the truck on notice to preserve evidence from the truck’s black box and other electronic recording devices. Also, we notify the owner and operator to preserve evidence related to the truck and truck driver, such as maintenance records, service calls, driving records, logs, and any other information deemed relevant. This evidence can be essential to proving fault and liability in a truck accident claim. However, the information could be lost or destroyed if an attorney does not act quickly to take steps to preserve the evidence.
   
   
2. Investigating the Cause of the Truck Accident
   Our investigators, legal staff members, and attorneys work to identify the cause of the crash. In a truck accident case, investigating the cause of the truck accident may involve:
   
   • Investigating and documenting the accident scene
   • Obtaining and reviewing all reports generated by law enforcement agencies and other federal agencies and departments
   • Retaining expert investigators familiar with truck operations and truck accidents
   • Reviewing state and federal laws, guidelines, and regulations
   • Interviewing and deposing eyewitnesses and other expert witnesses
   • Hiring an accident reconstructionist to determine how the accident occurred based on the physical and testimonial evidence
     
     It is crucial to determine how a truck accident occurred because the cause of the crash often leads our attorneys to identify who is responsible for damages caused by the truck accident.
     
     
3. Who is Responsible for a Large Truck Accident in Palm Beach County?
   Because there are many people involved in the trucking industry, cases involving large trucks or commercial vehicles often have multiple parties as defendants, which can lead to multiple insurance providers arguing to limit liability for damages.
   
   Our Palm Beach County truck accident attorneys methodically and thoughtfully review each piece of evidence and consider each factor in the cause of a truck accident to identify all parties who might have any liability for your damages. By identifying all parties who might be responsible for damages, we increase the chance you will receive maximum compensation for all your losses, damages, and injuries.
   
   Parties who may have liability in a truck accident claim include:
   
   • Truck drivers are often responsible for driver misconduct and errors, including speeding, drunk driving, fatigued driving, reckless driving, following too closely, distracted driving, and inexperienced driving.
   • Trucking companies may also be responsible for damages for misconduct such as failing to maintain trucks, requiring drivers to exceed safe driving hours, using defective or second-hand parts, hiring inexperienced drivers, failing to train drivers, and failing to perform background checks and routine screens for drivers.
   • Truck manufacturers could be liable for damages if a defective truck part or system were a factor in the cause of the truck accident.
   • Service companies and repair companies that perform substandard work or use defective or improper parts may also be liable.
   • Shippers who do not properly load cargo or overload vehicles could be responsible if the way the truck was loaded was a factor in the crash.
     
     It can be difficult to sort out liability issues in a truck accident case. Our Palm Beach truck accident attorneys have experience handling these types of personal injury claims. We bring our years of experience, knowledge, skills, and resources to the table to protect your legal rights and best interests.
     
     
4. Call a Palm Beach Truck Accident Attorney for help
   Contact Trelles & Bichlerby calling (561) 299-HURTto schedule a free consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers serving Palm Beach County.
   
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