Farmer Cline & Campbell PLLC Injury Lawyers

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Causes Of Trucking Accidents

West Virginia Trucking Accidents?
Truck Driver Fatigue ▪ FMCSA Violations ▪ Trucking Company Negligence

Many truck drivers are careful and attentive while driving on our roadways. Yet, it only takes one moment of inattention, fatigue or other negligence to cause a serious accident. When you have lost a loved one to a semi-truck accident or are facing serious injuries, you want answers. What caused the truck accident? Who was at fault? Can you recover money for your injuries?

The truck accident attorneys at Farmer, Cline & Campbell, PLLC, find answers to those questions. We investigate 18-wheeler crashes to determine what caused the accident and who is at fault. We have been successful in obtaining financial relief for truck accident clients over our many years as personal injury lawyers.

Violations Of Federal Trucking Regulations Lead To Truck Accidents

Because of the dangers they present on the roadway, commercial trucking companies and their trucks and drivers are subject to many specific federal regulations. Truck drivers may only drive for a certain number of hours a day. They must take a certain number of breaks. They must go through extensive drug and alcohol testing and qualification processes. Moreover, their equipment (including, particularly, their brakes and tires) must be well-maintained and in proper working order.

When truckers or commercial trucking companies violate Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) trucking regulations, they put themselves and every other driver at risk and can be held liable for accidents they cause.

Other causes of trucking accidents include:

  • Poor driver training and surveillance
  • Compensation systems and trucking schedules that encourage driving over the speed limit and breaking federal consecutive hour regulations
  • Faulty equipment (such as faulty brakes)
  • Tire blowouts
  • Truck driver fatigue
  • Inattentive driving
  • Trucks turning into cars/not watching their blind spots
  • Improperly secured loads
  • Speeding and aggressive driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Negligent driving in bad weather conditions
  • Not driving appropriately for West Virginia highway conditions

Trucking Accident Cases Are Not Handled Like Normal Auto Accident Cases

Truck accident personal injury cases are complex. They may involve multiple liable parties — the truck driver, his or her employer and the interstate motor carrier under whose authority the truck is operating. They are expert-intensive, requiring accident reconstruction experts, trucking experts who are knowledgeable in trucking regulations, medical experts, etc. Furthermore, truck accident cases are hard-fought by the trucking companies and their insurers.

Meet Our Truck Accident Team

Our attorneys Robert Campbell, R. Chad Duffield and Brian Bigelow have undergone hands-on truck driver training and hold their Class A Commercial Driver’s Licenses, authorizing them to operate tractor-trailers, dump trucks and certain other commercial vehicles. The attorneys on our Truck Accident Team are also members of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. Additionally, Robert Campbell and Chad Duffield have been recognized as Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers in West Virginia by the National Trial Lawyers.


Four reasons to choose Farmer, Cline & Campbell, PLLC


Truck accident cases require an experienced attorney who has handled this type of case before, understands the trucking regulations and has the resources to investigate your accident to its full extent. We will investigate your accident and review the driver’s qualification file, driving record, logs, truck maintenance records and pertinent medical records to develop effective strategies and build a strong case for you.

Contact us at our law offices in Charleston, Beckley or Morgantown, West Virginia, to learn more about our truck accident injury representation. We provide a free consultation and assessment of your case.

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