Trucking companies are regulated by the Federal Government which implements rules and regulations for both commercial trucks and owners. Federal regulations stipulate the amount of hours a driver is permitted to be on the road each day.

A minimum of $750,000 of insurance for bodily injury and property damage is required by Federal law for trucks traveling interstate. As well, most States also require a specific level of insurance for trucks not covered by Federal law.

Additional regulations must be followed by commercial trucks carrying hazardous or inflammable materials, such as placards attached the truck identifying the material and imposing a lesser speed limit.

The average truck driver earns approximately $32,000 a year or $30.3 cents per mile, with an owner/operator making marginally more money. For every dollar of revenue a truck earns, only 4.8 cents is profit. Unfortunately, this leads to many truck owners cutting costs by neglecting necessary maintenance. Drivers are often compelled to speed, drive for longer periods than permissible and drive aggressively in order to earn a better wage.

Truck collisions are often catastrophic because of the sheer size and weight of the commercial vehicles. Occupants of passenger vehicles, pedestrian and cyclists, if they survive, frequently suffer devastating injuries which may affect them for the rest of their lives. Enormous medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional trauma and loss of earning capacity are just a few of the possible consequences. For those that do not survive, their families are further burdened by funeral costs and the catastrophic loss of a loved one.

If the truck owner and/or driver is deemed to be fault for the accident, a lawsuit might be commenced against the driver, the trucking company, trailer owner, shipper and/or the manufacturer of equipment attached to the truck (for example, tires) and/or other parties who share responsibility.

If you have been involved in a truck accident, or lost a loved one due to a truck accident, it is recommended you contact an experienced accident attorney for legal advice on protecting your rights prior to speaking to the truck's insurer.

Before you hire a lawyer, speak to an insurance adjuster, or sign any paperwork contact Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP to get our FREE copy of our book The Crash Course on Personal Injury Claims in Connecticut. Don't delay, order it today!