Operators can be held responsible for accidents when they’re in the wrong. Industry safety standards may not have been followed. Worse yet, these rules may have been ignored. Common ways commercial motor vehicle operators may be to blame in an accident include:
Driving at unsafe speeds
Continuing on dangerous roads or in inclement weather
Hauling improperly secured loads
Illegally using drugs and/or alcohol
Not complying with Hours of Service (HOS) rules
Operating tractor-trailers that are in disrepair, have failed inspections, and/or were not routinely maintained
Purposefully carrying too much weight
Recklessly driving
Tailgating