The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has ordered Georgia trucking company Prudential Carriers, Inc. to shut down immediately due to the company’s recurring violations of safety laws.

Recently, FMCSA investigators found that Prudential’s safety violations resulted in several truck crashes and that, in one case, the company ordered a driver to continue his trip in a truck that was leaking canola oil. The canola oil spilled onto Interstate 75 in Georgia and caused four car accidents before the driver was arrested. The FMCSA noted in a news release that the Georgia-based company demonstrated rampant non-compliance with safety regulations and general indifference to the safety of drivers.

Trucking safety regulations

When it comes to the trucking industry, there are strict federal and state laws that truck drivers and trucking companies must abide by. These laws outline expected behaviors for involved parties and can help identify who is responsible should an accident occur. Parties responsible for a trucking accident can include the truck driver or owner, the trucking company, the truck’s manufacturer or the truck loader responsible for correctly loading cargo.

Each year, thousands of people die from injuries caused by truck accidents. Driver error has been attributed to 88 percent of truck crashes, and is the most common cause of truck-related accidents. Fatigue and lack of sleep cause most driver error, but other causes can include use of drugs, breaking the speed limit and being distracted. Problems with equipment also cause truck accidents. Equipment accidents can stem from manufacturer errors and improper maintenance of the vehicle’s parts. Poor maintenance may result in brake or tire failure and lead to dangerous conditions for truck drivers and other drivers on the road.

If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident and would like to learn more about your rights, meet with a skilled Atlanta personal injury attorney at McMenamy Law LLC.