Trucking Accidents

Truck Accident Lawyer in Topeka, KS

Advocating for Truck Accident Victims in Kansas

At Ralston, Pope & Diehl, LLC, we understand the frustration of being involved in any type of accident. However, trucking accidents are some of the most severe collisions. Even at low speeds, a commercial truck can cause catastrophic damage when it strikes a smaller car.

Our legal team is here to support you as you pursue a lawsuit against the responsible party.

Our Topeka trucking accident lawyers represent cases involving all types of commercial trucks, including:

Semi-trucks
Tanker trucks
Sanitation trucks
Delivery trucks
Courier trucks
Flatbed trucks
Cement mixer trucks
Dump truck

Call our firm right away at (785) 200-9465 or contact us online to make an appointment with a caring Topeka trucking accident lawyer.

Why Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Kansas?

Recovering the compensation and justice you deserve after a truck accident can be much more difficult without an experienced attorney on your side. The main reason you need a truck accident attorney is because trucking companies are often backed by top-tier attorneys aimed at protecting their company, and in turn, keeping you from recovering the compensation you deserve.

The attorneys at Ralston, Pope & Diehl, LLC are experienced in handling these claims and know what to expect during the entire claims process. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you.

Understanding Truck Driver Hours of Service Regulations

Federal law regulates how many hours truck drivers can spend on the road and when they must rest. The goal of these laws is to prevent overworking drivers and to keep drivers and other motorists on the road safe. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that drivers are only allowed 14 hour work days.

These 14 hours include time spent driving, meals and rest breaks. After 14 hours the driver must rest for 10 consecutive hours or longer before beginning their next 14 hour work interval. Within this 14 hour work period a trucker is only allowed to drive for a total of 11 hours. Additionally, drivers are required to include a 30 minute rest in their driving time.

Understanding the 60/70 Rule for Truck Drivers

The last rule is referred to as the 60/70 rule. This rule regulates how many consecutive days a trucker may drive. If a company is open 7 days a week, a trucker is only allowed to work 70 hours in an eight-day period.

Likewise, if a company is closed at least one day a week the trucker is allowed to drive 60 hours in a seven-day period. Once the weekly maximum is reached a driver is required to take at least 34 consecutive hours off

Identifying Liability in Truck Accidents

Unlike car accidents where the liable party is usually one driver who is easily identified, determining liability after a truck accident can take some amount of investigation. While this investigation can be a complicated process Ralston, Pope & Diehl, LLC is skilled in looking into truck accident claims and has the knowledge and tenacity to properly identify the appropriate party who can be held liable for your injuries.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?

The first most obvious potential liable party is the truck driver themselves. Other parties who may be held responsible even though they were not at the scene of the accident include the trucking company or the truck manufacturer.

The trucking company is most often held liable, usually because they are often caught encouraging their drivers to break trucking regulations in order to help save their company time and money. A truck driver can be held responsible, most often when an accident was directly caused by the negligence of the driver, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Last, if an accident is found to be caused by a manufacturing defect of the truck, the truck manufacturer may be held liable.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Large trucks cause a potential hazard due to their sheer size and weight. Drivers often are encouraged to drive long hours or violate regulations for the sake of getting the job done quickly. When the driver is improperly trained or any other factors come into play, it can cause a serious accident.

A few other causes of truck accidents include:

Improperly loaded cargo
Overloaded cargo
Fatigued driving
Drugged or drunk driving
Excessive speed
Improper qualifications
Violations of traffic laws

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Topeka Today

Regardless of the exact circumstances, if you were injured in an accident and believe the truck driver or company was at fault, you deserve justice. Our Topeka trucking accident attorneys have more than 10 decades of collective experience and we are here to help.

We strongly believe in seeking justice and fair compensation for our clients. The trucking company which is responsible for your accident should not be allowed to continue their illegal or unsafe practices.

Contact Ralston, Pope & Diehl, LLC at (785) 200-9465 now to learn more or schedule your free initial consultation with our trucking accident lawyer.

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Client Testimonials

Read Past Experiences From the Clients We've Helped in the Past

At Ralston, Pope & Diehl, LLC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

“I highly recommend Ralston, Pope & Diehl!”
Ralston, Pope & Diehl have an excellent group of lawyers.

- Richard S.
“The staff at Ralston, Pope & Diehl took care of everything I needed them to do.”
“The staff at Ralston, Pope & Diehl are very easy to work with.”

- Former Client
“It’s refreshing to see that the attorneys at Ralston, Pope & Diehl are so hands-on.”
“At Ralston, Pope & Diehl, you're treated fairly and they will do their best to get you the best outcome.”

- Marcus M.
“I Would Suggest That Anyone Needing Representation After Being Hurt in an Accident Use Their Firm.”
I thought that I was taken care of as if I was a friend and not by someone I had never even met. Whenever I was feeling down and things just felt like they couldn't have been worse that day, I could always email Tom and he was always there to help me through whatever I was going through....and I had a lot of hard days emotionally for me. I am so blessed that they were representing me through all this. I feel like things turned out the best that they could of for me in total. I would suggest that anyone needing representation after being hurt in an accident use their firm. I thank GOD that they were the ones there for me after the accident.

- Holly Hall
“Top notch”
“Knowledgeable and professional. Top notch!”

- Kaitlin A.
“I have recommended them to colleagues and friends.”
“
I found Kevin Diehl and Ron Pope to be very knowledgeable and courteous when dealing with a legal issue I had last year. I have recommended them to colleagues and friends.
”

- Former Client
“Excellent group of lawyers.”
“Excellent group of lawyers.”

- Richard S.
“Wonderful attorney”
“Wonderful attorney and his staff that keeps him abreast of any updates I submit to his office!”

- Victoria D.
“They all accomplish what they tell you will get done.”
“They all accomplish what they tell you will get done. They all work hard for their clients and are very thorough and well liked in the community.”

- Lori W. N.
“Definitely recommend!!”
“Everyone was so great to work with during a tough time, and Joe was always so responsive to any questions I had! Definitely recommend!!”

- Nichole C.

Why Choose Ralston, Pope & Diehl, LLC?

Backed by over 130 years of experience we have recovered millions for our clients. Call today for a free consultation.

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