Texas Family Petitions for Law to Increase Visibility of 18-Wheelers
After a 2018 accident in which a mother and daughter lost their lives on the way home from Austin City Limits, their surviving family members are petitioning for a law that would require 18-wheelers and other large trucks to take measures to increase their visibility. The family feels that this law could prevent similar collisions to the one that affected them, which involved a tanker truck at night. If passed, this law could give drivers injured in truck accidents another option for claiming negligence and pursuing compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.
Federal Regulations for Big-Rig Truck Drivers
Current Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations specify standards for headlights, taillights, brake lights, and reflectors depending on the type of commercial motor vehicle, and they also require that these lights be operable and unobstructed at all times. If an accident occurs because a truck does not follow these regulations, the driver and his or her employer may share responsibility for failing to install the proper equipment and inspect it to make sure it is working.
The Austin family mentioned above seeks to expand these regulations by adding more lights to the sides of large trucks and requiring they be painted with light colors. Their goal is to reach 10,000 signatures on the petition and send it to the U.S. Department of Transportation. If they are successful, trucks throughout the United States could be required to update their equipment after legislation passes.
Other Trucking Regulations Affecting Personal Injury Cases
Issues with lighting and visibility are not the only contributing factors in accidents involving large trucks. If you have been injured in a truck wreck, you may have a claim for compensation that can be supported based on other violations to FMCSA regulations, including:
- Driving an excessive number of hours without proper breaks
- Failing to regularly test drivers for drug use
- Failing to properly maintain truck equipment
- Failing to properly load or secure truck cargo
Depending on the circumstances, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the truck driver, the trucking company, and loading and maintenance workers. These cases involving complex liability can be challenging to handle without an experienced personal injury lawyer, but they can also increase the compensation you are able to receive.
Contact a New Braunfels Truck Accident Lawyer
At The Bettersworth Law Firm, we understand how dangerous 18-wheelers can be when they are operated unsafely, and we strive to do our part to ensure that drivers and trucking companies are following the latest industry regulations. When you have been injured in a case involving an FMCSA violation, we will help you investigate your case to identify all negligent parties. Contact a New Braunfels personal injury attorney at 830-443-9193 for a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.statesman.com/news/20201013/westlake-family-advocates-for-new-truck-law-after-fatal-crash
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&=PART&=pt49.5.393
