The law requires trailer and truck drivers to conduct a pre-trip inspection before the start of their route and once every 24 hours while on the road. It is the truck driver’s responsibility to ensure the vehicle they are expected to drive is safe for operation and free from defects. During a pre-trip inspection, the truck driver checks the vehicle’s mechanics, such as brakes, lights, tires, etc. to determine if they are functioning properly. The trucker must also ensure that the load being driven is securely loaded into place. The load must also be at or under the maximum weight capacity that is appropriate for that particular truck.
The driver of a truck should get behind the wheel only after ensuring that the pre-trip inspection trip didn’t reveal any problems with the truck’s operational capabilities and that the truck load is secure. A thorough pre-trip inspection should last between 30 to 50 minutes. While there is no established regulation that addresses the time frame to be allotted for truck and trailer inspection, 30 to 50 minutes is the expected time it takes to complete a thorough inspection. Every truck driver is taught to perform a pre-trip inspection as part of their CDL training, and they must know how to do one properly in order to get a CDL license.
Often times, truck accidents happen because a truck driver missed something during a pre-trip inspection. Truck accidents caused by falling debris from a cargo load are pretty common. Such accidents can be prevented if truck drivers are simply given enough time and support from the trucking industry to perform these life-saving inspections.
But many truck companies ignore safety rules and take shortcuts to protect their bottom lines. Examples include truck drivers not getting paid for the time they spend on inspections, even though it’s part of their required day. As a result, it’s not uncommon to hear of inspections that last only 10-15 minutes. These incomplete and unsafe inspections endanger us all and are a serious threat to public safety.
At the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., our Chicago truck accident lawyers investigate thoroughly if a careless or an incomplete truck inspection has caused you or your loved one injury in a truck accident. With over 50 years of combined experience and a reputation for tough litigation, our Chicago truck accident attorneys have the resources and the expertise to help you get the results you deserve. Call us at 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW or contact us by email.
