At Roberts & Harris, P.C., our truck accident attorneys in Raleigh understand how important semi-truck transit is to our North Carolina economy, as 70% of all freight that travels the nation is hauled by an 18-wheeler or another large commercial vehicle.
The U.S. trucking industry’s annual revenue averages $791 billion, which means there are many moving parts to ensure its success, including the drivers, trucking companies, and other third parties that are responsible for getting the cargo on board and safely from point A to point B.
When one or more of these parties place profits over safety, our North Carolina residents are the ones who get hurt.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, nearly 120,000 people were injured nationwide in collisions involving a semi-truck.
Tragically, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a 9% increase in fatal semi-truck collisions in the U.S., totaling close to 5,000 deaths.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a collision with a semi-truck in North Carolina, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Wake County to determine who is responsible for the crash, so we can pursue the right person or a combination of parties for your full financial recovery.
When are North Carolina Truck Drivers Responsible for Semi-Truck Crashes?
The person operating a large vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, like a semi-truck, has a separate set of safety responsibilities than a passenger vehicle driver to ensure they are keeping our roads safe.
Semi-trucks take longer to stop than a car or SUV and require a skilled driver to ensure safe operation on interstates, city streets, and even parking lots where they are picking up or dropping off.
Based on the number of semi-truck collisions, injuries, and deaths that occur each year in the U.S., not all drivers are operating these trucks safely.
The most common forms of truck driver negligence in North Carolina may include, but is not limited to:
- Speeding and traveling too fast for the conditions
- Fatigued driving
- Driving distracted
- Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
When are Trucking Companies Responsible for Truck Accidents in North Carolina?
Trucking companies have a responsibility to hire qualified drivers who can operate these large vehicles properly, and ensure they are fit for the position throughout their employment.
When they fail to do so, truck accidents can occur without notice.
Common forms of trucking company negligence may include, but is not limited to:
- Failing to conduct background checks or required medical exams
- Hiring inexperienced drivers and failing to professionally train them
- Failing to ensure their drivers are following all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines – including logbooks requirements and hours of service mandates
Third Parties May Also Be Liable for North Carolina Semi-Truck Accidents
The truck driving and trucking company are integral parts of the industry’s success, but several third parties may cause semi-truck accidents when their role in its transit is not taken seriously.
Third-party negligence can make one of the following liable for the crash:
- Cargo loaders who improperly load or overload the truck
- Manufacturing companies that produce – or fail to recall – defective truck parts
- Maintenance crews who fail to service the trucks properly
Contact Our North Carolina Personal injury Attorney At Roberts & Harris PC
If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury caused by negligence at any level of the trucking industry contact our dedicated personal injury lawyers in Raleigh, NC today at Roberts & Harris PC by calling (919) 249-5006 or online to learn more about how to pursue results with legal fees starting at just 25%.
If we do not produce a positive outcome for your case, you do not pay our legal fees.