Semi-Truck Accident that Killed 5 Highlights the Need for Adherence to Trucking Regulations

 Posted on May 30, 2017 in Truck Accidents

A truck driver responsible for the deaths of five people was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison. The deadly truck accident occurred in northern Illinois.

The truck driver pleaded guilty to five counts of reckless homicide. He also pleaded guilty to falsifying logbook records tracking how many hours he had worked.

The 2014 accident occurred on Interstate 55 near Channahon when traffic slowed down in a construction zone. Four of the fatalities were adults, and one 11-year-old also died. In one car, the accident claimed the life of a father, but his three children survived.

During the sentencing hearing, some of the victims and family members called for more regulations on the trucking industry as the truck driver was blind in one eye.

Trucking Regulations Help Keep the Road Safe

Truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to many regulations aimed at reducing accidents as semis are larger and heavier than any passenger cars on the road. There are state and federal laws that trucks must follow.

If a big rig has injured you, it is critical that you seek counsel with a truck accident attorney who is well-versed in trucking regulations. If a regulation was broken and that led to your accident, fault can be established. Determining fault is the first step in getting victims compensation for injuries.

Types of Truck Regulations

• Maintenance, inspection, and repair. The regulations set forth specific schedules to ensure that a truck is properly running. Depending on the facts of the accident, a mechanic or a truck part manufacturer (and not the driver) may be at fault.

• Hours of service requirement. The regulations provide for the number of hours a trucker and drive in a day and a week. The regulations also provide for how many breaks must be taken. This provision also requires that the driver keeps a record of his or her hours. Such regulations are aimed at curbing driver fatigue, which happens when drivers are on too strict of a schedule or face pressures by the trucking company to overperform.

• Operation regulations. This group of requirements prohibits driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and also sets the standards for driver education requirements.

Contact a Will County 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Semi-truck accidents are different from car accidents, and truck accident victims should enlist the help of an attorney knowledgeable about truck regulations and traffic laws.

By holding truck drivers and their companies accountable, you will get the compensation you deserve and make the roads safer in the process. Contact the Plainfield, IL truck accident attorney of Flaherty Law, LLC at 815-577-7500 to learn more about your case today.

Sources:

https://www.usnews.com/news/illinois/articles/2017-02-17/semi-driver-gets-10-year-sentence-for-crash-that-killed-5

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service