05/12/2015 // EW Truck Wreck Lawyers // (press release)
Widespread media reports on the severity of some truck wrecks have opened the door to heavy debate about what regulations should be introduced to oversee the trucking industry. In one headline making Texas truck accident, a truck fell through the guardrail of a major interstate landing on the highway below.
Source: Epoch Times Report “18-Wheeler Truck Crash, Fire in Texas Captured on Video”
“An 18-wheeler crash in Grand Prairie, Texas–where the truck fell through the Interstate 30 guardrail and onto the highway below–was captured on video.”
To read more visit http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/232943-18-wheeler-truck-crash-fire-in-texas-captured-on-video/.
Another controversial truck accident involved actor and comedian Tracy Morgan, who was severely injured in an 18-wheeler collision that left another person dead. Even months after the crash, Morgan, who filed a lawsuit against the major retail company whose driver is facing charges connected to the truck wreck, has been reported to continue struggling in his recovery.
Source: Detroit Free Press Report “Comedian Tracy Morgan still struggling after crash”
“TRENTON, N.J. – An attorney for actor and comedian Tracy Morgan says he’s having a tough time recovering from a June accident on the New Jersey Turnpike that left one person dead…Morgan’s attorney told the Star-Ledger that it may be months before Morgan can walk again and he relies on a wheelchair. Benedict P. Morelli says Morgan is making progress, but they’ll have to wait a month before he is assessed “cognitively.”
To read further visit http://archive.freep.com/article/20140829/ENT07/308290207/1035/rss04.
This accident is one in particular that directly led to many safety advocates calling for tighter regulation of the trucking industry, with an emphasis placed on restricting the number of hours drivers are allowed to drive during a work week. The debate has also led many to question what regulations are already in place and their impact on protecting drivers and passengers on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is a division of the Department of Transportation, is charged with the oversight of operations involving commercial vehicles. This includes how vehicles should be maintained, the conduct of carrier lines, and requirements for drivers.
According to the truck accident injury attorneys of Texas based Eberstein Witherite, LLP law firm, there are various challenges related to effectively regulating the trucking industry to significantly reduce the number of commercial vehicle accidents that lead to the injuries and deaths of thousands of people every year. Says Texas truck wreck lawyer Amy Witherite of the issue, “There are multiple focal points when it comes to developing safety standards including the size of commercial vehicles, what weight restrictions should be, how many hours should drivers be allowed on the road, how often vehicles should be maintenance.”
The Dallas based 18 wheeler accident attorney says that ensuring truck drivers and companies are in compliance with regulations involves not only developing safety standards and regulatory guidelines, but also holding those who commit violations accountable for their actions. The attorney further notes, “Accountability can be enforced through penalties imposed by regulatory authorities, as well as personal injury lawsuits that require drivers and companies to compensate victims for damages.”
The extent to which stronger regulations could reduce the number of truck accidents is unclear; however, transportation safety advocates say such steps can go a long way in saving many people from being injured or killed each year. Last year U.S. Senator Charles Schumer called on the Department of Transportation to not only implement new requirement for drivers and companies, but also study insurance coverage of companies to determine what adequate coverage should be.
Many await the outcome of such efforts to see whether the push will lead to regulatory changes, or if the debate to die down over time with lessened coverage in the media.
Media Contact:
Lucy Tiseo
Eberstein Witherite LLP – Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
Phone: 866-774-5410
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Url: EWTruckWreckLaw.com
