Semi, Tractor-Trailer and Large Rig Accidents in Ohio

Just a few decades ago, it was a common adage that commercial truck drivers were considered among the safest and best-trained drivers on America's highways. Today, these old standards have changed as the commercial, interstate and intra-state trucking industry has grown substantially.

A very obvious issue affecting the road safety of commercial trucks is the conflict of payment and monetary incentive for truck drivers. Employed commercial drivers receive significant bonuses to reach their distance goals in the shortest period of time possible, this often encourages the use of illegal and legal stimulants to help the driver go as long as possible without sleep. In many cases, drivers are penalized if they are late. As more and more big rigs fill the roads, and a growing percentage of younger, less experienced drivers are hired statistics show an accident rate increasing almost exponentially over the past two decades.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 5,000 people are killed each year in automobile crashes involving large trucks; less than 20% of these fatalities include the occupants of the truck or large commercial vehicle.

Truck Accident Investigations and Subsequent Lawsuits

Lawsuits based on accidents and collisions involving commercial trucks, semi's, freightliner trucks, tractor trailers or other big rigs involve a multitude of regulations and require the compilation of various types of evidence. Often such actions involving filing a legal complaint/lawsuit against both the truck operator/driver, as well as the trucking company that employs or controls his conduct. It also inevitably involves the insurance company or companies insuring the drivers, the vehicles, and the companies involved in intra (in-state) and interstate (multi-state) commerce. The Federal law known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (Title 49 USC) is applicable to all vehicles engaged in interstate traffic, while a variety of many state's regulations cover intra-state commercial commerce.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety has specifically adopted the Federal regulations and have made them applicable to owners, operators, and drivers anywhere within the State of Ohio.

In any significant trucking accident, the following factors are a part of the legal liability analysis:

Driver qualification

Negligent hiring - retention

Driver fatigue

Hours of service - substance abuse - carelessness

Vehicle marking and identification

Improper or defective equipment

Poorly maintained vehicles and/or records of preventive and remedial maintenance

Increased standard of care relating to signage and traffic control devices

Additionally, logbooks, bills of lading, as well as GPS devices and recordings, are also valuable for case preparation

Truck Accidents in the News

Consumer advocacy group, Public Citizen, says Department of Transportation (DOT) laws allow truck drivers to operate commercial trucks for 14-16 hours a day. The group strongly believes that the DOT needs to reduce the number of consecutives hours a truck driver can operate a vehicle and enforce mandatory rest periods.

The Truck Safety Coalition announces states with the highest truck crash deaths per 100,000 people. Wyoming, Arkansas, and Alabama are at the top of the list; Wyoming has 8 truck accident related deaths per 100,000 people, equaling approximately 40 per year. (Oct-17-05) [Axcess News ]

Register your Ohio Truck Accident Complaint

If you or a loved one has suffered from an Ohio truck accident , you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible Ohio truck accident lawsuit. Please click the link below to submit your complaint and we will have a lawyer review your Ohio truck accident complaint.