Trucks on Texas roads are increasingly common. From port to mid-state, there is constant truck traffic on the roadways, often meaning you could suffer serious injuries if one of those drivers violates any of the many safety laws present. Knowing what to do after a commercial truck accident and how to report a suspected violation is essential.
Determine The Laws Broken
There are numerous safety practices that truck drivers and companies must follow to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Violations of these laws tend to fall into one of three specific areas: driver error, vehicle malfunctions, and road conditions. If you are the victim of an accident involving a truck, you should document which Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) laws were violated.
Here are some examples of what you may observe as the victim:
- The driver appears to be intoxicated. For some reason, you believe they are intoxicated or otherwise not well and should not be on the roadway.
- You witness the driver breaking traffic laws, such as illegal lane changes, cutting off other drivers, or blowing through red lights.
- Your accident was due to a tire blowout, failed brake systems, or other factors that stem from maintenance.
- The truck driver makes a comment about being on the road for long hours and not getting breaks, which could indicate a potential violation of hours-of-service laws.
- The truck driver appears to lack a commercial driver’s license or proper training in operating their vehicle.
Given your suspicions, it is often best to speak with the police as your first step. Let them know what you saw and experienced firsthand. Let the police officer responding to the scene of the crash gather data that could validate these concerns.
Report the Safety Violation
You have the right to report a safety violation directly to the FMCSA. You can do that by visiting their website and filling out a complaint. You can use the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Website to do so. Alternatively, you can also call 1-888-368-7238. This does not resolve immediate issues, so be sure to turn to the police for faster and immediate help.
This report spurs an investigation. While the local police department should also investigate, you can involve the federal government if you believe not enough effort is being made.
Hiring an Attorney Becomes Beneficial
Reporting a violation of trucking regulations does not solve your concerns. After an accident, you deserve to seek justice. To do that, you need to seek legal representation so you can pursue a liability claim or civil lawsuit. Your attorney will discuss your right to seek a claim, the value of that potential claim, and what to expect. Just because the insurance company, police, and FMCSA were alerted does not mean you can stop advocating for yourself.
Contact our Truck Accident Lawyer in Texas for Immediate Help
At The Doan Law Firm, we take your case seriously. Now is the ideal time to contact our truck accident lawyer to schedule a complimentary consultation. Let our attorneys work with you to better understand your injuries and losses, and determine which violations the company or the truck driver may have caused. You pay nothing until we win. Call our office today.