A report recently created by Oregon-based data mining firm Vigillo, LLC claims state and county authorities across the contiguous 48 states enforce trucking laws in an inconsistent manner. To create the report, the company allegedly compared inspections, collisions, and citations by county based upon commercial vehicle miles travelled. According to Vigillo’s Chief Executive Officer, Steven Bryan, the report was created after a number of company employees heard anecdotal evidence that Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) inspections were performed inconsistently across the nation.
Bryan said the data analyzed indicates a number of local trends. For example, an Arizona county that borders Mexico allegedly issued the most violations to truck drivers who do not speak English. Likewise, a Maryland county apparently issued more citations related to tire tread issues than anywhere else in the country. Bryan said there was no indication each county or individual officer was intentionally focusing on any one particular aspect of enforcement. Instead, he stated the goal of the report was to demonstrate that federal trucking rules and regulations are not being applied in a uniform and consistent manner.
CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative designed to increase tractor-trailer and bus safety through a decrease in commercial vehicle collisions, injuries, and related deaths. Under the program, truck drivers are scored based upon roadside inspections and other factors. Those scores are then used to issue warning letters, audits, and further inspection. In some cases, the FMCSA may force a trucking or other commercial vehicle company to discontinue operations.
Federal trucking regulations were created to protect everyone who travels on the roadways in New Mexico and across the country. Because of this, personal injury cases filed after a semi-truck crash are generally different than simple car accidents as they normally involve unique types of evidence. For example, 18-wheeler drivers are required by federal law to document the amount of time they spend driving each day. On-board computers and other technology may also provide collision investigators with otherwise unavailable data regarding the events that led up to a tractor-trailer accident.
Anyone who was harmed in a New Mexico semi-truck collision may be entitled to receive damages for their pain and suffering, lost benefits and wages, any resulting disability, and any related medical bills. The spouse, child, or parent of an individual who died in a wreck with a big rig may also be able to recover the costs associated with their loved one’s funeral as well as other damages. If you were hurt by the negligent actions of a tractor-trailer driver, you should contact a quality lawyer as soon as you are able.
Please contact the Fine Law Firm if you were injured or a treasured loved one was killed in a tractor-trailer collision anywhere in the State of New Mexico. Our caring Santa Fe truck accident attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience assisting big rig accident victims across New Mexico recover the financial compensation they deserve based upon the severity of their injuries. To schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with an experienced advocate, call the Fine Law Firm at (505) 889-3463 or contact us through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Inattentive or Negligent Semi Drivers Pose a Hazard in New Mexico and Across the U.S., New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, September 10, 2013
Deadly Semi-Truck Accidents Can Occur at Any Time in New Mexico and Nationwide, New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, August 28, 2013
Additional Resources:
New report highlights “inconsistent” CSA enforcement, by Sean Kilcarr, Fleet Owner