How does a case against a truck driver or trucking company differ from a case against the driver of an ordinary passenger vehicle?
First, because of the forces involved in the crash, injuries sustained in a collision between a large truck and a passenger vehicle are often far more severe and extensive than those sustained in other accidents. In addition, because trucks travel in interstate commerce, they must comply with many federal regulations that do not apply to other vehicles. Also, trucking companies have a duty to perform extensive background checks before hiring drivers, and must periodically evaluate employees. Violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Act can provide the basis for establishing fault on the part of the trucking company and it’s driver. Likewise, truck drivers must meet higher safety standards and licensing requirements than other motorists. Truck drivers are subject to limits on the number of hours they can drive in a given day, and are subject to drug and alcohol testing.
