The internet is as full of dishonesty and deception as it is bursting with reliable and honest data. Unfortunately, with so much information at our fingertips, sifting through the rubbish to find the truth about truck accidents is a nearly impossible task.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an Oregon truck accident, you may have done some Googling and come across these common myths. Today, we are going to set the record straight and squash the three most common myths we hear about Oregon truck crashes.
Myth #1: Truck Drivers Must Follow the Same Traffic Rules as Other Drivers
Drivers of large commercial trucks are subject to the same traffic rules as other drivers; however, due to the colossal size and weight of semi-trucks, they must also abide by additional safety regulations. There are various federal regulations implemented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that truck drivers must abide by in regard to:
- Complaint investigations
- Compliance reviews
- Driver qualifications
- Minimum insurance coverage
- Roadside inspections
- Truck operation
- Trucking terminal audits
- Vehicle repairs and maintenance
- Weigh stations
Truck accident victims who are represented by a legal team unfamiliar with truck driver regulations could miss out on the compensation they need to support their recovery. Rizk Law truck accident lawyers always remain up to date on these perpetually changing rules so they can fight for the compensation their clients deserve for their injuries.
Myth #2: Truck Drivers Are Always Responsible for a Truck Crash
It may be easy to assume that the truck driver is the responsible party for an accident. Although this is true in some cases, when it comes to truck accidents, more often, there are multiple parties that may be held accountable for your injuries.
The parties that could be at fault for injuries suffered in an Oregon truck accident include the:
- Trucking company
- The manufacturer of the truck or its parts
- Owner of the cargo
- Cargo loaders
- Drivers of other vehicles
- Truck owner
- Truck’s mechanic
Companies will often attempt to remove themselves from the situation when one of their trucks is involved in a collision. Despite their efforts, trucking companies may be held responsible for a victim’s injuries if they were negligent. For instance, a trucking company may be found negligent in a crash if they failed to properly vet their driver or encouraged disobedience of FMCSA hours of service regulations.
Myth #3: Truck Drivers Get the Regular Breaks They Need to Remain Alert
When people get behind the wheel while sleepy, they are less attentive, have a slower reaction time, and have reduced decision-making skills. When you are operating a 72-foot-long, 40,000-pound vehicle, it is imperative for everyone on the road that you remain alert.
This is why taking a certain number of breaks after driving long hours and many miles is required under federal law. Unfortunately, many drivers do not always abide by these rules and the required breaks are not strictly enforced. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), commercial drivers of tow trucks, tractor-trailers, and buses are more likely to operate their vehicles while tired than the average passenger vehicle driver, despite FMCSA rules.
Trucking companies often hold their drivers to tight shipment deadlines, persuading them to skip breaks or cut into their sleep time. As a result, drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of accidents involving large trucks.
Contact an Experienced Oregon Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
After a life-changing accident, you expect your insurance company to be there for you, but unfortunately, these corporations will most often look for any way they can shift the blame and reduce or refuse to pay out what you deserve.
Rizk Law was founded by former insurance company insider Richard Rizk, who knows how to motivate insurers to pay claims because he has authorized claim payments himself. For a free consultation about your Oregon truck accident, call our team at (503) 245-5677 or complete our contact form for more information about your legal options.
