Trucking accidents can be devastating, causing serious injuries and even death. With the increasing number of accidents on Georgia roads, many people are beginning to question whether lax regulations in the trucking industry are to blame. Take a closer look at the regulations that govern the trucking industry and explore whether they’re doing enough to prevent accidents below. 

Trucking Industry Regulation Basics 

The trucking industry is heavily regulated, with strict rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of drivers and other motorists on the road. However, despite these regulations, accidents involving trucks continue to occur at an alarming rate.

One reason for this is that some trucking companies prioritize profits over safety, pushing drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines and drive longer hours than they should. There’s also a lack of enforcement and oversight when it comes to these regulations, allowing companies to skirt the rules without consequences. And, many of these regulations focus on technical requirements rather than addressing the root causes of accidents, like driver fatigue or inadequate training.

Can A Trucking Company Be Responsible For A Driver’s Accident?

If you are involved in a trucking accident, it’s important to know who is responsible for your injuries. Usually, a trucking company holds some sort of liability for the actions of their drivers, especially if they were poorly vetted or trained. They may also be liable in cases where a trucking accident was caused by inadequate truck maintenance. 

In most cases involving commercial vehicles, there are three factors that must be considered when determining whether or not liability lies with a particular party:

• Driver status (e.g., employee vs. independent contractor);
• Vehicle use (e.g., business vs personal); and
• Vehicle ownership (which may vary depending on whether or not there was an insurance policy).

Accidents caused by weather or road conditions are typically not considered the responsibility of any particular party unless there was some kind of intervention involved. For example, if a cable construction company dug up part of a highway and failed to provide adequate signage, anyone harmed in an accident caused by the defective road can seek financial compensation from the company responsible for damaging the highway.

Call Appalachian Injury Law today for a free initial case consultation to discuss your injury by dialing (706) 515-1995 or toll free at (800) 393-8595.