Large truck accidents account for some of the worst – and most fatal – vehicle collisions on North Carolina roadways. The sheer size and weight of tractor-trailers make it hard for them to stop as fast as other vehicles, which can lead to them being some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road. Therefore, trucking companies have an elevated responsibility to ensure their drivers use extra caution.
Obtaining adequate compensation for your injuries is not always as simple as it seems. Insurers for trucking companies notoriously undervalue claims, even for victims who have been seriously injured or even killed.
Trucking Company Responsibilities
When a trucking company hires a truck driver and puts them on the road, the company has a public duty to make sure their drivers are ready to be on the road. They also must make sure their company policies encourage safe driving behaviors.
They also have a responsibility to conduct adequate background checks of a driver’s record, including any past alcohol or drug-related driving convictions or loss of commercial driver’s license status.
Unfortunately for public safety, many trucking companies fall short of or deliberately ignore this goal. Tractor trailer drivers are forced at times to drive for long periods of time, sometimes without rest. This can be done to boost the company’s bottom line with quicker deliveries.
These drowsy drivers are much more likely to cause a collision on North Carolina roads, and when truck drivers take drugs or supplements – whether legal or illegal – to stay awake, the risk becomes even greater.
Safe Driving Practices
Dangerous company policies that promote unsafe driving have landed some trucking companies in legal hot water in recent years, because of this most companies have developed polices that are safer both for their drivers and for the public.
However, if these polices are not actually followed by the trucking companies they do not matter. Trucking companies will find loopholes in their policies that will allow them to continue these unsafe procedures.
This company negligence can lead to very severe, and even deadly North Carolina wrecks involving tractor trailers. This negligence cannot be left unnoticed.
Representation for Trucking Company Negligence
If you or a loved one have been severely injured due to the negligence of a trucking company, you need to speak with a skilled tractor trailer accident lawyer.
Maginnis Law’s lead tractor trailer accident lawyer, T. Shawn Howard, is experienced in handling complex tractor trailer accident cases. Mr. Howard is a million dollar and multi-million-dollar advocate, meaning that he has obtain settlements for his client in excess of $1,000,000 and $2,000,000.
Maginnis Law handles North Carolina personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis – meaning that you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we reach a settlement or obtain a verdict or settlement in your case.
You can contact the Raleigh personal injury attorneys of Maginnis Howard at (919)526-0450, by email at info@carolionalaw.com, or through our contact page.
