There are a variety of reasons why 18-wheeler truck accidents occur in New York. However, they are most commonly caused by driver error and negligence. 18-Wheeler accidents pose a serious threat to those on the road and are particularly dangerous because of their enormous size and weight. Victims of 18-wheeler accidents often suffer catastrophic and life-altering injuries that negatively impact their lives. To reduce the number of truck accidents on the road, those who operate commercial vehicles are required to comply with certain safety regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) is responsible for regulating and enforcing safety regulations in the trucking industry. Truck safety regulations are implemented through the FMSCA Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program. The CSA program’s safety regulations are designed to prevent truck accidents that are caused by truck drivers that violate CSA safety regulations. Keep reading to learn more about 18-wheeler truck accidents and how a determined New York City Truck Accident Lawyer can help you.
What safety violations most commonly cause 18-wheeler accidents in New York?
18-Wheeler truck accidents can occur anywhere and at any time as a result of negligence. Unfortunately, when an individual who operates a commercial vehicle violates truck safety regulations, they are negligent as they are legally required to comply with the CSA program’s safety regulations. There is an increased risk of truck collisions when safety regulations are not followed. As mentioned above, truck accidents are extremely dangerous and victims rarely walk away unscathed. The following are some of the most common safety violations that often lead to tragic accidents:
- Making improper turns
- Making improper lane changes
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to obey a traffic control device
- Railroad grade crossing violation (must leave enough room to clear the tracks completely without stopping)
Unfortunately, several other safety violations can result in truck accidents. However, these are the most common. Several of the above-listed violations are also traffic violations in New York. To ensure everyone’s safety on the road, those that operate large rigs must abide by the rules of the road and adhere to the CSA programs safety regulations. In the unfortunate event that you or someone you care about has been injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our seasoned team members. It can be difficult to determine if a truck driver violated the CSA program’s safety regulations. However, one of our qualified lawyers can help you investigate the circumstances of the crash and collect evidence to support your claim. Allow our firm to provide you with individualized legal counseling to seek monetary compensation for your damages.