A tractor-trailer accident is extremely dangerous. Over the years it seems there are more and more media reports about tractor trailer accidents involving disabled vehicles. For instance, we have seen many of these occurring on highways, such as Interstate-85 in South Carolina. Furthermore, these types of tractor-trailer accidents are usually fatal or cause very serious permanent disabling injuries.

Behind every tractor-trailer crash case stands a trucking company. Therefore, the attorney working on the case must determine whether the trucking company policies, practices, or procedures-or lack thereof-caused the accident.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulations require all trucking companies to inspect its fleet in order to find, fix and correct any safety violations that could lead to a crash.

The FMCSA also requires a trucking company to give its drivers adequate rest. These “hours of service” rules are designed to keep sleepy drivers off the highways. Obviously, sleepy drivers are dangerous drivers.

Also, trucking companies should do everything reasonably possible to keep its drivers from having distracting devices in the cab of the tractor trailer-so a driver can keep his eyes on the road. For this reason, companies try prohibiting their truck drivers from using cell phones while driving.

Trucking Company Responsibility

Trucking companies are responsible to provide adequate training for their drivers. Training should include teaching drivers how to be aware of potential objects on or near the road. Then, drivers can take necessary evasive action to avoid hitting a disabled vehicle.

Cars break down on the highway, that’s a fact. However, a truck driver has the duty to keep his eyes on the road and to operate his tractor-trailer at a safe speed in order to avoid a collision with a disabled vehicle.

A tractor-trailer should also have properly working headlights so that objects on the road can be illuminated far enough in advance for a tractor-trailer to avoid colliding with a disabled vehicle on the highway.

There are many ways for a safe tractor-trailer to avoid a highway collision with a disabled vehicle. Because of the potential for catastrophic personal injury or even death, avoiding these collisions should be a top priority for trucking companies. These companies need to get the message: keep a proper lookout and keep the highways safe!

Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney

If you’re seriously injured due to an accident involving a tractor-trailer, please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone at 864-235-4999 or through the form below.