The driver of a logging truck is facing charges following a multi-vehicle accident on Route 33 in Gloucester on Wednesday, July 26th. Virginia State Police responded to the scene at about 3:45 p.m. Upon their arrival, police discovered that the driver of a logging truck was heading southbound along Route 17 when the vehicle overturned, spilling its cargo across the highway.
What safety protocols are logging truck drivers required to follow?
The logs rolled into the eastbound lane of Route 33 and struck one moving vehicle as well as four others that were stopped at a traffic light.
The driver of the logging truck and one other driver were both transported by ambulance to an area trauma center.
The truck operator, Princeal Graves, 33, a resident of Williamsburg, is being charged with failure to maintain control of a vehicle and reckless driving.
Speed was a contributing factor in the accident.
For over four decades, the Virginia commercial truck accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have been achieving successful outcomes in truck accident cases. We understand the most efficient methods of obtaining full and fair financial compensation on behalf of our injured clients. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing until we win your case. To schedule your free consultation, call our Virginia Beach offices today.
What is a Logging Truck?
A logging truck is a commercial truck that hauls logs. Due to overhang or excessive weight, a logging truck’s load is usually oversized. Logging trucks are extremely hazardous because of the danger of a lost load accident occurring during transport. With this and other risks in mind, numerous laws have been enacted that regulate both logging trucks and those who drive them. If a driver or logging company disregards these safety precautions, the result is often a serious accident.
Federal and State Regulations for Logging Trucks
The logging and forestry industry is essential to our nation’s economy. Log trucks represent a crucial element in the supply chain. Several thousand commercial trucks haul logs from one side of the country to the other every day. All of these trucks and their drivers are required to adhere to a strict set of state and federal regulations governing the securement, size, and weight of the cargo. Drivers are also obligated to abide by special instructions regarding the safe operation of their vehicles.
Some of the current laws for the proper securement of logs are:
- They must be transported in a truck that was specifically designed and built to haul logs
- The truck must be equipped with bunks or the equivalent thereof in order to cradle the logs and prevent them from rolling
- All components pertaining to log securement must be able to withstand anticipated pressures and forces
- In most cases, freight loaders are required to use tie-downs as well as bunks
- Loads must be properly stacked. Freight loaders have to pack the logs solidly, and the bottom logs must make contact with the bunks
Federal truck laws have very exacting requirements for how freight loaders should stack logs. Anyone involved in the log transporting industry needs to be familiar with these laws and obey them at all times. Disregarding a rule or taking a shortcut can lead to an unstable and dangerous load as well as lost load accidents. In these instances, the person who disobeyed the rule could be held liable for the victim’s injuries. If you or a family member have been the victim of a logging truck accident, reach out to a reputable Virginia logging truck accident attorney.
What Steps Should I Take After a Logging Truck Accident?
The majority of logging truck accidents are avoidable. By simply following the safety precautions and other protocols, freight companies and logging truck drivers can prevent lost payloads, unsafe driving, and numerous other hazards that can cause serious accidents.
If you are involved in a logging truck accident, you should ask a Virginia logging truck accident lawyer about your rights. In the meantime, there are some steps you can take to ensure the strength of your case:
- Notify local law enforcement: If the accident resulted in injuries, fatalities, or property damage greater than $1,000, you need to call 911. These circumstances apply in almost all logging truck accidents.
- Collect evidence: Get the truck driver’s name and company contact information. If you can safely do so, gather evidence from the scene. This can include pictures or video of your vehicle, the logging truck, and the area where the crash took place. Keep copies of all paperwork pertaining to the incident, such as the police crash report and your medical records and police reports.
- Get medical attention: Go to a hospital emergency room right away. Immediate medical care will not only aid your recovery process but will also prove to the insurance adjuster that your injuries were caused by the accident.
Were You Injured in a Logging Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one sustained serious injuries such as a brain or head injury, broken bones, lacerations, burns, or a spinal cord injury in a logging truck accident in Virginia, contact Shapiro, Washburn &Sharp for reliable legal advice. Our persistent, experienced, and award-winning lawyers Virginia Beach logging truck accident attorneys have decades of practice handling truck accident cases. We have secured millions of dollars for injured clients over the years.
To speak with a Virginia commercial truck accident lawyer about your potential claim, call the personal injury law firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp at (833) 997-1774.