The operation of commercial vehicles is a strenuous and potentially dangerous activity. A seemingly minor mishap can quickly transform into a nightmarish truck accident with victims and substantial material damage. Much of this is due to the sheer size of tractor trailers, semi-trucks, busses and other commercial vehicles. The potential for disaster is tremendous in accidents with an 80,000 pound truck. Additionally, the truck could be carrying a number of hazardous materials. These accidents can further jeopardize the safety of the people involved.
Commercial trucking is strictly regulated for these reasons. Both federal and state regulations exist to reduce the risks of truck accidents in Colorado. Truck drivers and the companies they work for are required to follow these regulations. There is a never ending battle between safety and efficiency (read profit). Unfortunately, safety often loses.
Commercial Vehicle Regulations
Driver Schedules: All drivers who operate a commercial vehicle must follow a strict schedule. This is designed to help ensure the driver is not affected by fatigue while driving. Truck and bus drivers are required by law to spend no more than 8 hours “on duty”. This includes:
- driving the vehicle
- making repairs
- waiting for loading and unloading
- waiting in lines in various circumstances
After this shift, drivers have a mandatory 8 hour period of rest. These activities need to be recorded in travel logs. In practice, many companies force their drivers to work more than the legal limit, in order to get the freight faster to the destination. Pushing drivers even 15 minutes past the 8 hour limit increases the risk of a severe truck accident. This can be difficult for drivers and trucking companies to follow because traffic and weather conditions can significantly affect how soon the driver can get to the designated stop for the day without speeding. Which leads us to the next regulation.
Traffic Laws: Truck drivers must obey all traffic laws. Drivers are encouraged to drive cautiously and have a prudent attitude to other vehicles. Most of the highways in Colorado have a lower speed limit for commercial vehicles. Many truck accidents in Denver can be partially attributed to truck drivers exceeding the posted speed limit.
Cargo: The cargo trucks carry must be properly secured and loaded into the vehicle. Trucking companies must make sure that their vehicles are not overloaded and that the freight will not shift as the truck moves. Trucks that overload their vehicles run a greater risk of tire blow out, which leaves large pieces of debris on the road that other drivers must avoid. Cargo that falls off trucks is an even larger danger.
If you are involved in a car accident caused by a truck and you suspect that these regulations were not respected by the commercial driver, you should contact a Denver truck accident lawyer immediately.
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