Chapel Hill Truck Accident Attorney

Advocating for Truck Accident Victims Across North Carolina

Cars, motorcycles, and other motorized vehicles are simply no match for large semi-trucks. As a result, accidents involving trucks often leave victims severely—sometimes fatally—injured.

At the Chapel Hill law firm of Jensen Law Group, our legal professionals are dedicated to representing truck accident victims and their family members. Our truck accident lawyer will work hard to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Key Truck Driving Regulations You Should Know

Truck drivers are heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in order to help protect truckers and other drivers on the road. One of these regulations is called the hours of service regulations.

This regulation aims to ensure truckers are adequately rested since tired drivers are much more likely to cause an accident either by a mistake or falling asleep at the wheel. According to these regulations truck drivers can work up to 14-hour in a day, but only 11 of these hours can be spent driving, the remaining hours must be spent on meal or rest breaks. Likewise, after the workday is over, drivers must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours.

Understanding the 60/70 Rule for Truck Drivers

Truck drivers must take days off work at regular intervals, this is also called the 60/70 rule. 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.

Identifying Responsibility in Trucking Accidents

The driver of a truck is not the only party who may bear some responsibility for the accident. Trucking companies have been known to cut corners in order to meet deadlines, often having drivers out on the road for longer than is allowed under federal law.

In other cases, an equipment malfunction may have contributed to the accident. We will explore every aspect of your accident to ensure that all negligent parties are held accountable.

Investigating Truck Accident Issues Thoroughly

Federal law governs the commercial trucking industry. However, commercial truck drivers are typically paid by the mile, which can contribute to driver fatigue and other serious issues.

Our attorney conducts thorough investigations into every personal injury case. Owners often put pressure on drivers, causing drivers to violate safety standards and applicable laws.

We can review drivers’ logs, black boxes, and other data to uncover possible trucking company impropriety. Our legal team has the experience and resources necessary to help prove negligence so that you can receive the best possible damages for your case.

Establishing Liability After a Truck Accident

After a truck accident, it is important to establish who is liable in order to file a personal injury claim. Truck accidents are more complicated than car accidents since is usually several parties that could be held liable for the accident, depending on the circumstances of the case.

While there can be many other, the three parties usually found liable for an accident are:

• The truck driver
• The truck manufacturer
• The trucking company

If a truck driver owns their own truck was engaging in illegal behavior at the time of the crash, they are usually found responsible. However, the party most often held accountable for a truck accident is the trucking company.

One of the main reasons for this is the fact that trucking companies are often caught encouraging their drivers to break truck driver regulations in order to help save their company money. Since these regulations are put in place for the safety of other drivers on the road, breaking them leads to a higher risk of accidents.

If you have been injured, don’t wait to get help. Our attorneys have the skill and experience to investigate your truck accident case in order to hold the liable parties accountable.

Supporting Families in Fatal Truck Accident Claims

Tragically, many truck accidents prove to be fatal. In these cases, we can help surviving family members pursue a wrongful death claim. We understand that nothing can truly make up for your loss. However, we can help send a message that negligent actions will not be tolerated in North Carolina.

Get in Touch With Us Today

Our legal team provides representation for personal injury or wrongful death cases throughout North Carolina, and we offer home and hospital consultations as necessary.