PITTSBURGH TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS

The trucking industry is regulated by federal laws that are put in place to keep the general public safe. However, when trucking companies and drivers cut corners or violate the law to increase their bottom lines, accidents can occur. What are some important trucking laws that might apply if you’ve been in a truck accident in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?

Hours of Service Laws. Fatigued driving is dangerous. In fact, some studies indicate that it can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Federal hours of service laws limit how long a driver can be behind the wheel. The law is designed to prevent fatigued driving and truck drivers are required to keep detailed logs about their hours of service. However, sometimes, drivers have been known to falsify these logs to violate hours of service. The results can be devastating for those injured in an accident due to a fatigued truck driver. Have questions about your rights? Scanlon & Wojton, LLC: Attorneys at Law is a truck accident law firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that may be able to help you with your case. Our firm can review a truck driver’s logs, shipping schedules, and perform other investigations to determine whether a violation of hours of service laws may have been a culprit in your accident.

Improper Maintenance. Truck companies are required to perform regular maintenance on their vehicles and are required to keep regular maintenance logs. When companies cut corners or fail to maintain their vehicles, accidents can happen. When a truck’s brakes fail or a tire blows, you’re talking about a driver dealing with loss of control of a multi-ton vehicle. Scanlon & Wojton, LLC: Attorneys at Law are Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers who can review truck maintenance logs and who can take steps to protect your rights if you have been hurt in a truck crash.

Medical Requirements and Driver Safety. In order to obtain a commercial driver’s license and to maintain a commercial driver’s license, truck drivers are required to pass medical exams and are required to meet certain standards. However, if a truck driver’s medical condition changes and he or she doesn’t report the change to his or her employer, he could be driving with a dangerous medical condition or be taking medication that could impair his or her ability to drive. Truck companies have a responsibility to vet drivers before they hire them and to ensure that drivers meet medical and safety requirements. Failure to do so could result in the truck company being held liable if an accident happens. Scanlon & Wojton, LLC: Attorneys at Law are truck accident attorneys in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who may be able to review the truck driver’s record and medical history to determine if there were conditions present that could have made the driver unsafe.

Loading Laws. Trucks must be properly loaded in order to operate safety. Overloaded trucks, unsecured loads, or imbalanced loading can increase the risk of an accident. If you or someone you love was hurt because of road debris, or because a truck driver lost control of an overloaded truck or imbalanced truck, contact Scanlon & Wojton, LLC: Attorneys at Law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania today. Our truck accident lawyers may be able to help you.

Maintenance Laws. Trucking companies are governed by strict maintenance laws. After all, if a truck’s tires blow or brakes fail, the consequences can be disastrous. Trucks are required to undergo regular maintenance and they need to be maintained in a proper way. For example, when corners are cut and used tires replace old tires, accidents can happen. If you or someone you love was hurt and you believe that a truck defect or mechanical error caused the problem, truck mechanics, parts makers, or even the truck company itself might be responsible. Reach out to the truck accident lawyer at Scanlon & Wojton, Attorneys at Law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania today.

These are just some of the laws and regulations that govern the trucking industry. Truck drivers are also required to abide by the laws of the road, which regulate drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving. Truck companies are also required to have commercial insurance policies, which could provide high coverage limits in the event of a crash. Have questions about how all these laws could impact your truck accident claim? Reach out to Scanlon & Wojton, LLC: Attorneys at Law, truck accident lawyers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania today.