Injury Lawyer News: Trucking Regulations Under Scrutiny After Wreck

Personal Injury - June 12, 2014

Truck Driver Fatigue

We’ve all felt that stab of fear while passing a commercial truck on the highway. They are some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road by virtue of their weight and size alone. Couple that with a high prevalence of driver fatigue, and you have a recipe for disaster.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of truck accidents on U.S. roads increased by 20 percent over the last two decades. In the two-year span between 2009 and 2011, the number of accidents rose from 2,983 to 3,341.

Most experts attribute the increase to a rise in fatigue among long-haul truckers. Some companies impose impossible deadlines and incentivize drivers to skirt federal guidelines that regulate how long a trucker can remain behind the wheel.
Despite the already growing number of accidents, the Huffington Post reports that the Senate Appropriations Committee made a move to suspend one of the guidelines that ensures truckers get enough rest between shifts.
However, a recent and high-profile truck accident may cause the legislature to reconsider.

Actor Tracy Morgan Remains in Critical Condition After Serious Truck Accident

The Chicago Tribune reports that Tracy Morgan was returning home after a comedy show when a truck driver struck his limousine. The vehicle flipped into an intersection, striking several more motorists.
One of Morgan’s companions died in the wreck, and two others suffered serious injuries. We’ve now learned that the accident left Morgan with several broken ribs, a broken nose and a broken leg. He’s undergone a surgery since the truck accident, but doctors say he is still in critical condition.
The driver of the truck, Kevin Roper, works for Wal-Mart and now faces four charges of assault by auto and one charge of death by auto. Police say that he failed to notice that the limousine was slowing for a red light. Roper pleaded not guilty to all five charges last week.
If you’ve suffered serious injuries during a truck accident in Chicago, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we’ve been in the business of helping accident victims since 1924.
You can trust us to give your case the time and attention it deserves. To arrange a consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Chicago, call us toll free at (800)-985-1819.