North Carolina’s trucking industry is heavily regulated to help ensure the safety of both truck drivers and others who are commuting. Unfortunately, many trucking companies fail to adhere to these rules, which can too often lead to a serious North Carolina truck accident occurring.
The recent collision between a tractor-trailer and an Amtrak train outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, that left 55 people injured underscores the dangers truckers and their vehicles pose when North Carolina trucking regulations aren’t obeyed. Reports indicate both the driver responsible for causing the crash and his company have an extensive history of accidents and violations of the law.
An article from WRAL News states the 43-year-old driver has been charged with at least one dozen traffic violations over the years. His most recent was a stint in jail in December 2010 after investigators found his truck was overweight. The driver is also a convicted felon and failed to complete a background check before receiving his commercial drivers license.
The driver isn’t the only one with a flawed safety record though, considering the company he was driving for has had 13 trucks involved in accidents over the past two years.
Officials say the collision between the truck and train might have been avoided if the driver and his company had followed the protocol of clearing routes by informing train conductors of the need to halt due to a stopped truck at a crossing.
At HensonFuerst, we recognize the importance of truck drivers and trucking companies abiding all safety regulations. Our North Carolina personal injury lawyers would also like to urge anyone who has been injured in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver to learn more about your legal rights. Let us help you by calling (800) 4-LAWMED.