Seasoned Trucking Safety Violation Accident Attorneys In Rochester, New York

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in a recent year alone, over 4,000 victims tragically died in accidents involving semi-trucks. Since large trucks often weigh up to 30 times as much as cars, it is no surprise that the majority of those deaths were occupants of passenger vehicles. Trucker fatigue is one of the leading causes of all crashes. Consequently, there are both New York State and federal laws that regulate commercial trucking. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for governing the trucking industry, including specific training requirements for drivers, the amount of time truckers can spend behind the wheel, and particular administrative records that must be kept. For instance, all truckers must maintain driver logs to confirm that they are taking mandatory rest breaks and only driving a certain number of consecutive hours. These regulations are vital for protecting truck drivers from fatigue and overworking. When a trucker skips a break or drives too long in a day, their risk of causing a devastating crash radically increases. For example, the recent crash involving a semi-truck and three cars on Interstate 390.

Operating an eighteen-wheeler is much more challenging than driving a standard passenger vehicle. Due to the massive size and weight of a tractor-trailer, truckers must exercise extreme caution and obey the Hours of Service (HOS). Suppose that after greatly exceeding his daily driving hours, an exhausted truck driver rear-ended you on Interstate 490. In such an unfortunate event, you may be eligible to obtain monetary compensation through a personal injury claim. However, accidents involving tractor-trailers are often much more complicated than collisions between 2 passenger vehicles. Trucking companies have a notorious reputation for offering victims lowball settlements. Fortunately, Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his elite attorneys are extremely proficient and highly knowledgeable on both New York State and federal regulations that govern tractor-trailer companies and their drivers.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. has zealously dedicated the last 24 years of his life to fighting for justice. Over the years, Jed Dietrich, Esq. has aggressively negotiated and tried thousands of lawsuits, including many collisions involving big rigs. Our highly experienced Rochester, New York, truck accident lawyers are savvy at uncovering any discrepancies in driver logs. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., we will make every possible effort to find crucial evidence and get answers. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has vigorously fought to obtain over $175 million in compensation for his clients, including a $2,025,000 settlement for a 62-year-old man who had his left foot crushed by a Modern Disposal Services, Inc. truck. Schedule your free and confidential lawsuit evaluation today with our top rated semi-truck collision lawyers to discover how we can help. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s leading attorneys are available day and night by calling 585-939-3939 or by completing our online consultation form.

As mentioned above, the commercial trucking industry is governed by a complex set of rules and regulations. To ensure compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Hours of Services Regulations, truckers are required to maintain detailed records of their driving. The travel log is meant to verify both on and off-duty time for every 24 hours worked. Some information that these records contain that may help our commercial trucking crash lawyers prove liability include:

1. Daily Driving Hours: Semi-truckers are only allowed to drive 11 hours at a time and cannot drive beyond 14 hours after coming on duty.
2. Weekly Driving Hours: Drivers cannot drive over 60 hours within 7 consecutive days or 70 hours within 8 consecutive days.
3. Breaks: Tractor-trailer drivers must take a 30-minute break after being behind the wheel for 8 consecutive hours and take at least 10 consecutive hours off after driving the maximum hours.
4. Time-Off: Truckers are required to take a minimum of 34 hours off between driving periods lasting 7 consecutive days or longer.
5. Distance Driven Within 24 Hours: Although there are no limits on the number of miles an operator can drive, any discrepancies between the logs and the truck’s odometer can help substantiate violations.

Trucking logs can serve as critical pieces of evidence that can be used to prove liability in tractor-trailer accidents. However, since trucking companies sometimes falsify or alter their records to escape liability, it is crucial to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Compensation For Your Eighteen-Wheeler Collision

Truckers have a critical responsibility to operate their massive 80,000-pound tractor-trailers safely. When truck drivers work excessive hours or fail to take necessary breaks, it can place others on the road in substantial danger. A seriously fatigued driver can experience similar effects as drug or alcohol intoxication. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), somebody who has been awake for 24 hours is comparable to someone with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10%. Consequently, when truckers are fatigued because they exceeded their driving hours, they are more likely to cause ravaging collisions with unsuspecting motorists. If you were unfortunate enough to get in the path of a drowsy trucker, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s veteran litigators would be honored to help you pursue justice. Some damages commonly obtained from trucking companies and their insurers in accidents involving FMCSA violations include:

1. Expenses for ambulance transportation and emergency medical care;
2. All required future medical treatment, such as operations and rehabilitation;
3. Vehicle and other property damages;
4. Lost wages and any other benefits from missing work;
5. Permanent disabilities and life-altering disfigurement suffered;
6. Expenses for prescription medicines, like painkillers;
7. Costs associated with any mobility devices needed to get around, such as crutches, canes, walkers, or wheelchairs;
8. Loss of enjoyment in life and loss of consortium;
9. Pain and suffering, both physical aching and mental torture; and
10. Reduced future earning potential and career advancement.

It is imperative to retain a trucking accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in both New York State and FMCSA regulations concerning the operation of large commercial trucks.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s leading litigators have mastered the art of forcefully negotiating with negligent trucking companies and their claims adjusters to obtain the maximum compensation. Jed Dietrich, Esq. will do everything in his power to help you. Dial 585-939-3939 to schedule your free case evaluation with our brilliant tractor-trailer accident attorneys.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 585-939-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Rochester, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!