MICHIGAN TRACTOR-TRAILER ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Every year, there are nearly 500,000 tractor-trailer accidents (semi-truck accidents) in the United States. Approximately 5,000 of these tractor-trailer accidents are fatal tractor-trailer accidents. In fact, one out of every eight fatal auto accidents is caused by a collision with a large truck (a fatal tractor-trailer accident). Not surprisingly, most of the deaths and injuries involve the passengers of the vehicles struck by tractor-trailer trucks. Truck drivers typically escaped unscathed.

The Federal government requires tractor-trailer truck drivers and other large truck operators to acquire a commercial drivers license and undergo limited drug and alcohol testing. However, many truck safety advocates question the effectiveness of the licensing and testing program.

A more pressing matter, according to safety experts, is truck driver fatigue. New rules implemented by The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2003 allow tractor-trailer truck drivers to drive 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Also, tractor-trailer truck drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on-duty, following 10 hours off-duty. Similar to existing rules, tractor-trailer truck drivers may not drive after being on-duty for 60 hours in a seven-consecutive-day period or 70 hours in an eight-consecutive-day period. This on-duty cycle may be restarted whenever a tractor-trailer truck driver takes at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty.

Short-haul tractor-trailer truck drivers—those tractor-trailer truck drivers who routinely return to their place of dispatch after each duty tour and then are released from duty—may have an increased on-duty period of 16 hours once during any seven-consecutive-day period. The 16-hour exception takes into consideration legitimate business needs without jeopardizing safety. FMCSA estimates that without the extra two on-duty hours, the industry would be required to hire at least 48,000 new drivers, actually reducing crash-reduction benefits.

The current rule allows 10 hours of driving within a 15-hour on-duty period after eight hours of off-duty time. Also, tractor-trailer drivers may not drive after their 15th hour on duty in a workday or after 60 hours on-duty in seven consecutive days or 70 hours on-duty in eight consecutive days.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates the new rule will save up to 75 lives and prevent as many as 1,326 fatigue-related tractor-trailer truck accidents annually. There were an estimated 4,902 deaths as a result of fatal tractor-trailer truck accidents in 2002.

With the pressure to deliver their loads, however, tractor-trailer truck drivers often continue driving when prudence suggests otherwise. In a recent survey, 20% of tractor-trailer truck drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel within the past month.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been injured or killed in a fatal Michigan tractor-trailer truck accident, it is important to consider your legal options. Many truckers are employed by large corporations that may put delivery of their goods ahead of your safety. Don't pay for the transportation industry's greed.

Events resulting from a Michigan tractor-trailer truck accident injury are often the subject of litigation. To protect your legal rights following a Michigan tractor-trailer truck accident injury, it is generally wise to consult a Michigan tractor-trailer accident attorney who is experienced in such matters.

A Michigan tractor-trailer accident lawyer can help "level the playing field" by providing Michigan tractor-trailer accident victims with information regarding the practical and legal aspects of Michigan personal injury law. No firm has more experience, or has handled more tractor-trailer truck accident cases than Michigan Auto Law.

For a review of your claim, please contact us.