Consumers need products that are transported daily by semi trucks, but due to their sheer power and speed, these trucks can become weapons on wheels. Although semi drivers must pass rigorous testing to obtain certification to drive a truck, if they do not follow the guidelines that are in place by the Federal government, they can cause serious harm or even death to the other drivers on the road. Semi truck accidents in Arkansas like this occur every year. Unfortunately, many of them could have been easily prevented if the semi driver would have not been fatigued or over worked..
Arkansas Truck Driver Regulations
In Arkansas, as well as the rest of the country, it is required that the driver follow an hours of service regulation when working. This regulation states that a driver’s work day should be 11 hours and never to exceed 14 hours in a consecutive driving period. If a driver is on the road for 14 hours, they must then rest for 10 hours before embarking on their next load. A drive can work 70-88 hours a week if he follows these guidelines but must have a 34 hour rest period before he begins his next work week. These are new rules and are in place due to numerous accidents caused by fatigued semi drivers.
Semi Truck Accidents in Arkansas
There have been many accidents already on Arkansas roads, and many of them have been due to semi trucks. If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident involving a semi truck in Arkansas and the semi driver is found to be at fault, you may have a claim of compensation from the company the driver works for. Because so many truck drivers do not adhere to regulations, a fatigued driver might have caused your accident. Not only can your action be against the driver, there may be reasons to take action against the trucking company employing the driver as well.Truck drivers are often under major stress to get their deliveries to their destinations on time. This pressure often comes from the trucking company who made the contract with the customer and set the deadlines the semi truck driver is expected to make. Sometimes this causes drivers to be on the road more hours than they should be. Semi truck accidents in Arkansas are sometimes caused in this manner. Drivers sometimes also do this to make more money. They are paid by the mile in most cases. That means the more miles they get every week, the bigger their paycheck will be on Friday. Both of these reasons are not excuses for negligence and Attorney Group for Arkansas can help victims get just compensation.
If you have been injured in one of many semi truck accidents in Arkansas and you believe it is the fault of the driver, contact Attorney Group for Arkansas. We know how frustrating and confusing it can be taking on a large company after being injured, and you should not have to face that alone. We can answer your legal questions, guide you through the legal process, and connect you with the right lawyer for your case, all at no cost to you. So contact Attorney Group for Arkansas today for more information.
