Large commercial trucks and buses are some of the largest vehicles on Texas roads, so the results can be devasting when they're involved in accidents with smaller passenger vehicles or pedestrians. Truck accidents can be so severe they can leave drivers and passengers seriously injured or with life-threatening conditions.
Recently, calls for stricter regulations surrounding electronic logging devices (ELDs) have grown following a tragic fatal accident involving a truck and a bus.
What are ELDs in the trucking industry?
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are electronic systems used by commercial truck drivers to automatically record their driving hours and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
ELDs monitor key data like engine hours, vehicle movement, and miles driven, making it nearly impossible to falsify records. The goal is simple: prevent driver fatigue by enforcing limits on driving hours and keeping truckers and everyone on the road safer.
While ELDs are crucial in regulating trucking activity, recent incidents have highlighted the need for even stricter guidelines to enhance their effectiveness.
Fatal accident sparks call for stronger ELD regulations
A recent investigation into a devastating truck accident in Williamsburg, Virginia, has shed light on the urgent need for stronger safety regulations in the trucking industry.
On December 16, 2022, a truck from Triton Logistics collided with a slow-moving bus, leading to three tragic deaths and several injuries.
According to CCJ, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that driver fatigue, aggravated by Triton's falsified electronic logging records, was a major contributing factor.
Long hours on the road and lack of rest can lead to drowsiness and impaired reaction times. Federal regulations require truck drivers to adhere to specific limits on driving hours and rest periods, and violations can lead to accidents like the one that took place in Williamsburg.
In response, the NTSB has made several critical recommendations, such as revising ELD regulations and introducing fatigue management programs.
Common causes of truck accidents
While driver fatigue was a key factor in the Williamsburg accident, truck crashes often result from many other causes, including:
- Improper vehicle maintenance: Trucks require regular maintenance to ensure they operate safely. Neglecting maintenance can lead to mechanical failures, which can cause truck accidents.
- Distracted driving: Distractions like texting or eating can take a truck driver's attention away from the road. This is particularly dangerous with commercial trucks, where large blind spots and longer stopping distances are factors.
- Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs reduces a truck driver's ability to react to road hazards and follow traffic laws.
- Speeding: Speeding reduces the driver's ability to react to sudden changes in traffic and can make it nearly impossible to avoid collisions, especially with larger vehicles like trucks, which require more time and distance to stop safely.
Get the legal help you deserve. Contact a truck accident lawyer.
Time is critical if you've been injured in a truck accident. These cases can quickly become complex, and you need a lawyer who understands the ins and outs of the state and federal trucking laws and regulations.
At Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law, P.C., we understand the challenges you're facing. Based in Fort Worth, TX, we're here to help you take action and demand accountability for your losses.
Our legal team is dedicated to securing the maximum compensation you deserve for all your accident-related expenses, and our case results prove it. For example, in one case, we obtained a $1.5 million settlement for a claim involving a commercial vehicle wreck.
Don't wait—contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn how we can help you through this challenging time.