The Nature Of The Trucking Industry

Trucking firms are the link between the consumer and manufacturers. These trucking companies are contracted by businesses to pick up goods, transport them, and deliver a wide variety of products that we as consumers rely on all the time. In the United States, some goods will travel cross-country, short distances, or even to long distances as Mexico or Canada. Each of these steps is carefully orchestrated so that the trucks arrive just in time to ship the goods off to their designated destinations.

By law, drivers are not permitted to drive after logging 60 hours within a weeks time or 70 hours in the past 8 days. They are only permitted to do so, if they have taken at least 34 consecutive hours off duty. Unfortunately most drivers, particularly on long runs, will work close to or go over the maximum time permitted behind the wheel. They will travel at night, on holidays, and on weekends to avoid traffic delays just so they can deliver their cargo on time. There are also rules that govern the maximum size and weight of vehicles in the United States. The D.O.T. has established that trucks must be 102 inches wide, 13.5 feet in height, and 80, 000 gross weight.

There are a variety of working conditions that drivers will go through on their route. Variable weather, traffic conditions, boredom, and fatigue all come into play when they travel from state to state. Safety is a major concern for truck companies and the government has placed strict regulations that every driver must adhere to. Efforts are underway to standardize training programs to make drivers more efficient. Yet with all these rules and regulations in place, experts say that 4% of all victims of traffic related injuries and 12% of all traffic related deaths involve an 18 wheeler truck.

If you or a loved one was involved in a major accident caused by a tractor trailer, you should contact as 18 wheeler accident lawyer as soon as possible. An 18 wheeler accident lawyer will know how to effectively pursue legal action against both the truck driver and the trucking insurance company. 18 wheeler accident lawyers will seek compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and suffering caused by your accident. An 18 wheeler accident lawyer has the experience and detailed knowledge of the law to lead the investigation into the cause of the accident and will help you to collect the maximum amount of compensation allowed under law.