Truck Accident Lawyers in Anchorage
Protecting the Rights of Accident Victims
We see trucks on the road around us on a regular basis, usually never stopping to think about their sheer size and weight. When a commercial truck, especially one holding cargo, collides with another vehicle, it can cause catastrophic damage. At Libbey Law Offices, we understand how physically and emotionally devastating being injured in a truck accident can be. Our Anchorage truck accident lawyers have decades of experience in the field of personal injury and can help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Our firm helps clients with all types of trucking accidents, including:
- Semi-truck accidents
- Dump truck accidents
- Pile-ups
- Accidents involving hazardous materials
Federal Regulation Compliance in Truck Accidents
Professional drivers, especially those driving trucks and hauling cargo, are held to a higher standard of safety than any other driver on the road. The trucking agency is also held to federal regulations to ensure the safety of commercial truck drivers and other drivers.
Our firm handles cases involving failures to follow these federal regulations, including:
- Commercial driving license requirements
- Allowed driving hours
- Alcohol and drug use on the road
- Transportation of hazardous materials
- Driver qualifications
When they fail to follow these regulations, the likelihood of an accident is significantly higher. This is why we look into the details of truck accidents, including the company's rules for hiring and training. We may interview witnesses and question drivers about whether they were instructed to violate rules, such as their allowed number of driving hours. Our goal is to seek the maximum compensation from the party responsible for your accident.
Hours of Service Regulations
The hours of service regulations are a set of rules laid out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) which regulates how long truckers can be on the road and when they must take breaks. Since fatigued drivers are much more likely to cause an accident either by a mistake or falling asleep at the wheel, the goal of these regulations is to ensure as much as possible that drivers of commercial vehicles are well rested.
According to the hours of service regulations, truck drivers are permitted to work up to 14 hours a day, but they are only allowed to drive 11 of these hours. The remaining time is required to be used with rest or meal breaks. Once the workday is over, a trucker must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours
Additionally, truck drivers must take days off work at regular intervals. These days off are determined by the hours of the company they drive for. If a trucking company is open seven days a week a driver is only allowed to work 70 hours in an eight-day period before taking at least 34 consecutive hours off. If a trucking company is open less than seven days a week than a driver is only allowed to work 60 hours in a seven-day period before taking 34 hours off.
Alaska Trucking Accident Statistics:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2018:
- 3% of car accident fatalities in Alaska were occupants of large trucks
- Of the 80 traffic fatalities in Alaska in 2018, 10 involved an accident with a large truck
On a wider scale, it was reported that in 2017 there were over 148,000 injuries caused by trucking accidents nationwide, and over 4,700 fatalities. On average, there were 13 fatal injuries inflicted by trucking accidents every day in the United States in 2017.
Who is Liable After a Truck Accident?
Since there are many parties who could potentially be held liable, determining who is held responsible for a truck accident can be a complicated process. Most often, however, the trucking company is held liable. There are many reasons for this including that they are often caught encouraging their trucker to break trucking regulations in order to help save their company money and time.
The truck driver is usually held liable if the accident was directly caused by their negligence such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol for example, they may be the one held liable. Although it happens less often, there are other parties that can be found responsible. Our firm is experienced in investigating truck accident claims and is ready to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation!
Fighting to Hold Trucking Companies Accountable
At Libbey Law Offices, we believe that when trucking companies violate the strict regulations they are held to, it should not go unpunished. Regardless of the specific circumstances, you may have grounds for a lawsuit to recover compensation, including lost wages and medical bills. Our experienced Anchorage truck accident lawyer can help you to understand your case and determine if you qualify for damages. Should we move forward with your case, you can rely on us to build an effective plan of action for you.
Give us a call today at (907) 268-4351 for an initial consultation, or fill out our online contact form.
