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Iowa Truck Accident Lawyer

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The Department of Transport in Iowa reports that between 1994 and 2001, nearly half the fatal accidents on Interstate 80 involved semi-trailer trucks. In addition, there is data that reveals that nearly 40% of trucks tested in this state and others were found to be defective and unsafe to be on the road.

There are various reasons why truck accidents occur, but the most significant cause for truck accidents is truck driver fatigue, which accounts for as many as 35-40% of all truck accidents. This statistic is made possible because truck driver work long hours, face strenuous deadlines, and have to abide by strict, rigorous schedules. Truck driver fatigue can seriously impair the judgment of an individual who is behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.

Fatigue refers to lack of sleep, extreme tiredness, or exhaustion. Fatigue does not refer to just one thing, but can be a combination of the above. Not getting the required amount of sleep, loading and unloading heavy loads, putting in overtime at work, etc., can all lead to truck driver fatigue. Driver fatigue can also impair an individuals ability to gauge their own level of fatigue.

When a truck driver is fatigued, it is very easy for them to nod off or fall asleep at the wheel of their truck. Trucks are large, heavy machines, and when they are going 70 mph without the total control of a driver, serious injuries and death can occur.

Due to the rising number of fatigue-related truck accidents, the federal government has, after almost 60 years, changed the rules and duty hours for truck drivers. According to the new federal laws, no truck driver is legally permitted to drive more than 11 consecutive hours without taking a 10-hour break in between two driving shifts. A truck driver can clock a maximum of 14 hours at work, only 11 of which can actually be spent on the road.

In spite of these rules, which have been established to reduce truck driver fatigue and consequent truck accidents, not all truck drivers and trucking companies actually follow these rules. Although truck drivers are required to maintain a log book of their driving hours, such log books can easily be falsified, and are thus not a real indicator of the number of hours a truck driver spends on the job.

If you have been injured or have incurred damages as the result of a truck related accident that was not your fault, you could be eligible to make a claim for compensation. An Iowa truck accident lawyer can provide you with the legal assistance and advice you need to determine whether or not you are entitled to compensation, and if you are, an Iowa truck accident attorney will use his or her expertise to get you the best settlement possible.

If a loved one was killed as the result of a truck-related accident in Iowa, you may be able to claim for wrongful death. An Iowa truck accident lawyer will be aware of any state-specific restriction that may apply with regards to your eligibility to claim, and is therefore the best person to help you put together a lawsuit and make a claim for compensation.

Iowa , like other states, has some general regulations and statutes related to truck accidents and litigation, as well as some very specific ones. To ensure that you actually have a file to claim, and to increase your chances of a successful claim, you should enlist the help of an Iowa truck accident attorney, who will be familiar with these regulations and statutes, and can therefore ensure that any legal restriction and statutes are addressed.