A recent California lawsuit filed by the Alliance for California Business (ACB) is attempting to overturn the state’s regulations on diesel truck emissions by alleging the retrofits required under the law are dangerous and have resulted in increased fires. The California Air Resources Boardput the regulation into effect in 2013, which requires trucks to reduce emissions by being equipped with a diesel particulate filter. CARB unsuccessfully attempted to have the case dismissed by the Glenn County Superior Court. I
Trucking Regulations
Every state in the nation has specific regulations and is taxed with overseeing compliance of these rules by both companies and truckers alike. Moreover, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is charged with overseeing numerous aspects of safety including company safety records, driver qualification standards, and hazardous material warnings for all large vehicles (commercial or private) that require specialized licenses for operation. Some of the regulations imposed by the FMCSA include driver medical requirements,maximum hours of service allowed, and hazardous materials regulations.
Trucking Accidents
Every year, more than 5,000 individuals are killed in trucking-related accidents in the United States. While South Carolina does not rank in the top 10 states nationwide for most fatal truck accidents, the state’s reputation includes a high number of trucking companies with unsatisfactory ratings from federal inspectors. Its drivers are also ranked as the worst in the nation, according to several driving studies. Some common factors that may contribute to a trucking accident include:
- Driver fatigue
- Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- Lack of proper training
- Exceeding the weight or road limit
- Distracted driving
- Improper vehicle maintenance
A multitude of causes may contribute to a trucking accident. Sometimes the accident is caused by driver mistake while other times the factors are out of the control of the drivers. Unfortunately, most trucking accidents involve passenger cars. Because of the large size of commercial trucks, the other vehicle incurs the most damage and the risk of fatality is high.
Truck Accident Attorneys
Trucking accidents are serious and can be fatal because of the disproportionate size of the vehicles involved in the collision. If you or someone you know has been injured in a trucking accident in South Carolina, contact an experienced and aggressive truck accident attorney right away. The South Carolina-based law firm of Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC focuses on all types of trucking accidents, and can provide sincere legal advocacy for victims. The aggressive attorneys represent clients throughout the Tri-County Area, across South Carolina, and beyond state limits.