New rules could help put an end to the most tragic type of truck accidents.
As the biggest and heaviest vehicles on the road, semi-trucks have the potential to cause serious and fatal traffic accidents. For instance, more than 4,000 people died in large truck accidents in 2020, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
There are rules and regulations designed to reduce the risk of truck accidents, but they must keep pace with an always-changing economy and technology.
As 2023 draws closer, the Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed new regulations to ensure commercial vehicles and truckers are safe before they hit the road.
Any measures aimed at reducing serious truck accidents should be seriously considered. At Coby L. Wooten, Attorney At Law, P.C., our legal team knows how catastrophic truck wrecks can change a family's life forever.
If you were injured or a loved one died in a Fort Worth tractor-trailer accident, contact our law firm today to see how an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you.
Below are some of the federal administration's proposed rule changes and updates for the new year.
FMCSA trucking regulation proposals for 2023
The FMCSA intends to implement numerous new rules and regulations for commercial trucks next year, including:
Revisions to the Medical Examiner's Handbook (MEH) for truckers. Truck drivers must meet physical and mental health standards before being licensed to drive. The MEH's purpose is to ensure truck drivers are in good health to perform their daily job safely. The FMCSA says some of the information in the MEH is obsolete and should be updated to provide better guidance.
Speed limiters. Should commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more require an electronic engine control unit that can control a truck's maximum speed?
Safety procedures. A new notice could force further investigation and research to identify which trucks are not well-maintained and unfit to be on the road.
Automated systems. Automatic braking is proven to prevent truck accidents, according to TruckSafety.org. However, new rules could require more intense monitoring and higher performance standards. Updating automated braking systems (ABS) on large trucks could prevent the following:
- 50 percent of front-to-rear car crashes.
- 50 percent of front-to-rear car crashes with injuries.
- 41 percent of large truck front-to-rear crashes.
Consumer complaint information. Commercial trucking companies that haul commercial goods would be mandated to post quarterly reports of all complaints received from consumers and shippers.
Before becoming official, all of the proposals that the FMCSA has suggested are up for public comment and approval by the government.
Talk to a Fort Worth truck accident attorney today.
You must move quickly if you were hurt in an accident involving a tractor-trailer or another commercial vehicle. Indeed, truck accidents are serious and deserve serious legal representation.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a Texas truck accident, you should talk to an experienced attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and explore your potential legal options.
At Coby L. Wooten, Attorney At Law, P.C., we can respond quickly to semi-truck and 18-wheeler accidents around the DFW region, thanks to our office locations in Fort Worth and Dallas.
Attorney Wooten has the knowledge and experience to investigate trucking companies to see if they acted negligently and hold them accountable. Our legal team can determine what caused your collision and what evidence to look for in support of your claim. Then, we can advocate for the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact a member of our legal team to learn more about how our law firm can help you. Schedule your free case consultation today.