Trucking Accident Attorneys in Topeka
Millions of Dollars Recovered for Our Clients
At Ralston, Pope & Diehl, LLC, we understand the frustration of being involved in any type of accident. However, trucking accidents are some of the most severe collisions. Even at low speeds, a commercial truck can cause catastrophic damage when it strikes a smaller car. Our legal team is here to support you as you pursue a lawsuit against the responsible party. Our Topeka trucking accident lawyers represent cases involving all types of commercial trucks, including:
- Semi-trucks
- Tanker trucks
- Sanitation trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Courier trucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Cement mixer trucks
- Dump trucks
Call our firm right away at (785) 200-9465 to make an
appointment with a caring Topeka trucking accident lawyer.
What Are Hours of Service Regulations?
Federal law regulates how many hours truck drivers can spend on the road and when they must rest. The goal of these laws is to prevent overworking driver and to keep drivers and other motorists on the road safe. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that drivers are only allowed 14 hour work days.
These 14 hours include time spent driving, meals and rest breaks. After 14 hours the driver must rest for 10 consecutive hours or longer before beginning their next 14 hour work interval. Within this 14 hour work period a trucker is only allowed to drive for a total of 11 hours. Additionally drivers are required to include a 30 minute rest in their driving time.
The last rule is referred to as the 60/70 rule. This rule regulates how many consecutive days a trucker may drive. If a company is open 7 days a week, a trucker is only allowed to work 70 hours in a eight-day period. Likewise, if a company is closed at least one day a week the trucker is allowed to drive 60 hours in a seven-day period. Once the weekly maximum is reached a driver is required to take at least 34 consecutive hours off
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Kansas
Large trucks cause a potential hazard due to their sheer size and weight. Drivers often are encouraged to drive long hours or violate regulations for the sake of getting the job done quickly. When the driver is improperly trained or any other factors come into play, it can cause a serious accident.
A few other causes of truck accidents include:
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Overloaded cargo
- Fatigued driving
- Drugged or drunk driving
- Excessive speed
- Improper qualifications
- Violations of traffic laws
Work with a Trusted Law Firm
Regardless of the exact circumstances, if you were injured in an accident and believe the truck driver or company was at fault, you deserve justice. Our Topeka trucking accident attorneys have more than 10 decades of collective experience and we are here to help. We strongly believe in seeking justice and fair compensation for our clients. The trucking company which is responsible for your accident should not be allowed to continue their illegal or unsafe practices.
