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Driver vehicle inspection reports may prevent truck accidents

On Behalf of | Dec 22, 2016 | Truck Accidents

It is well known that semi-trucks can cause serious, even fatal, accidents. In an attempt to curtail these devastating wrecks, the federal government has implemented strict federal regulations, which truckers and the truck companies for which they work must adhere to. The failure to abide by these regulations can place a significant number of motorists in harm’s way, but the sad truth is that far too many truckers and truck companies try to cut corners to save time and money.

One way corners are cut is by improperly conducting driver vehicle inspection reports. These reports must be completed at the end of each workday and submitted to the motor carrier. The inspection should include checking the trailer and its power unit. In response to these inspection reports, truck companies must repair defective or missing parts prior to the vehicle being driven again.

If a vehicle inspection report has been lost, or if one was not completed at the end of the day, then a trucker must complete a pre-trip inspection before utilizing the vehicle. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that trucks are safe for operation, helping protect other motorists who are vulnerable when these massive vehicles go astray.

Of course, improper maintenance isn’t the only cause of truck accidents. Distracted, fatigued and intoxicated truckers can turn an otherwise safe truck into a missile of destruction. Regardless of how a truck accident is caused, though, if negligence contributed to it and the victim’s injuries, then a personal injury lawsuit may be pursued. Those who have been hurt by the negligence of a trucker or a truck company should carefully consider whether seeking legal counsel can help them recover their medical expenses, lost wages and other losses.

Source: FMCSA, “Part 396,” accessed on Dec. 16, 2016

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