Many of us have been on a long road trip, as these journeys can sometimes be necessary for travel, business, or relocation.  In order to drive safely for long stretches on unfamiliar roads, we may choose to drive slower than usual, take rest stops or overnight breaks, or switch drivers.  Having the freedom to set our own schedules and the company of family or friends in the car with us can make road trips easy, safe, and even enjoyable.

The commute of a truck driver has little in common with this scenario.  Truck drivers can legally spend up to 11 hours a day behind the wheel, pulling at least 10,000 pounds of cargo across vast stretches of highway while trying to stay on schedule.  We all know the feeling of fatigue that comes toward the end of the work day.  What if the end of your work day entails driving a ten-wheeled box truck at a speed of 80 miles per hour?

At McMinn Law Firm, we understand the dangers of truck driving and the complexities of the accidents that often result.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers account for 12% of all work-related deaths and are five times more likely to die on the job than the average worker.  These fatalities, along with the injuries and deaths of those hit in trucking accidents, may be the result of trucker fatigue, negligence, or poorly maintained trucks. 

The working conditions that truck drivers experience can contribute to their fatigue and negligence.  When paid by the mile, a truck driver may try to drive farther than he or she is physically able to do.  Even though the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) seeks to regulate the hours driven, roads used, drunkenness levels, and speeds of truck drivers, trucking accidents still happen at alarming rates.  

In recent years, Texas has been the state with the highest number of truck-related fatal crashes.  It is also where around 10% of the entire country’s trucking accidents occur.  Because one in ten fatal accidents in Texas involves a large truck, the McMinn Law Firm has experience handling trucking accident cases and can help you fight for your rights.

If you have sustained an injury or experienced the death of a loved one from a trucking accident, hiring an attorney is a way to ensure that the accident is investigated fully.  Unlike automobile accidents, trucking accidents require more information gathering than the law enforcement investigation will supply.  Contact the McMinn Law Firm to take advantage of our knowledge of the trucking industry and expertise in trucking accident cases.