Every year, people are involved in trucking accidents that devastate families across our state. In 2022, Nebraska ranked fifth among states with the highest fatal truck crash rates, according to the National Safety Council. Many of these accidents are directly linked to trucking policies that prioritize profits over safety.
At Hauptman O’Brien, we have seen how these dangerous trucking policies affect road users, even contributing to dangerous conditions that can have terrible consequences. In this article, we will take a close look at these policies and how they impact Nebraska road users.
Nebraska’s Commercial Trucking Safety Regulations
Truck safety isn’t just about rules — it’s about protecting lives on Nebraska’s highways. Government organizations have set strict guidelines that hold trucking companies accountable. These are carefully designed safeguards that prevent dangerous practices and keep the roads safe.
Commercial trucking in Nebraska is governed by:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations
- Nebraska Department of Transportation requirements
- Nebraska State Patrol commercial vehicle enforcement
- Local ordinances in specific municipalities like Omaha and Lincoln
These regulations establish basic standards for safe operation. Following these regulations can significantly reduce the number of accidents on our roads.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in Nebraska
As a key crossroads for interstate commerce, Nebraska’s highways see heavy truck traffic daily. This high volume of commercial vehicles also increases the risk of serious accidents. Many factors contribute to trucking accidents, but some are more common in Nebraska crashes.
The most common causes of truck accidents in Nebraska are:
- Speeding
- Distraction due to cell phone use and other distractions
- Careless driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Impairment due to fatigue, alcohol, or illness
- Improper lane usage
- Failure to obey traffic signs
Many people don’t realize that such “causes” are often symptoms of deeper problems within the trucking industry. Let’s look at company policies that contribute to truck accidents.
Dangerous Policies That Cause Trucking Accidents
Trucking companies are under huge pressure to save money and deliver goods quickly. This rush often means cutting corners on safety. The result? More dangerous roads for everyone in Nebraska.
Scheduling and compensation policies
The most problematic policies involve how trucking companies schedule and pay their drivers. Drivers get paid by the mile, so they want to drive as far and fast as possible. These tight delivery deadlines can push drivers to exceed hours-of-service limitations.
Federal rules limit drivers to 11 hours after 10 hours of rest. They are not supposed to work more than 14 hours a day. Many companies, however, have become experts at sidestepping these safety guidelines.
Their dangerous practices include:
- Pressuring drivers to record false hours of service
- Scheduling “on paper” rest breaks that drivers are expected to skip
- Creating maintenance records for services never performed
- Resetting fault codes in electronic systems without addressing underlying issues
With pressures like these, truck drivers face a tough choice. They can either lose their job or break safety rules to meet deadlines. When companies reward rule-breaking, they make the roads more dangerous.
Inadequate maintenance policies
Another critical area that impacts safety is vehicle maintenance. Commercial trucks need regular, thorough maintenance to operate safely.
Yet, many companies are guilty of:
- Skipping regular maintenance check-ups
- Doing quick inspections rather than comprehensive checks
- Delaying truck repairs of known issues
- Using cheap or recycled replacement parts
- Failing to keep good maintenance records
Poor maintenance policies are a violation of federal regulations. The FMCSA requires systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance for all commercial vehicles. These cost-cutting measures may improve short-term profitability but also create serious safety hazards.
Insufficient training and safety protocols
Proper driver training is key to safety. Sadly, some companies skip training to save time and money, putting everyone at risk. It’s dangerous to have inexperienced truck drivers on the Nebraska roads.
These drivers will have to navigate:
- Rapidly changing weather conditions
- Sudden snowstorms and ice
- High winds
- Heavy agricultural traffic
- Extensive construction zones
- Long stretches of rural roads
Not knowing how to deal with these conditions is a prelude to a truck accident. If you have suffered because of an inexperienced truck driver, contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Problematic hiring practices
The ongoing driver shortage has led some trucking companies to lower their hiring standards. When companies hire drivers who lack the experience or temperament for safe commercial driving, they put every road user at risk.
Some concerning hiring practices include:
- Conducting inadequate background checks
- Failing to verify experience claims
- Performing casual drug and alcohol screening
- Doing minimal medical evaluations
- Hiring drivers with poor driving records
Load manipulation and overloading
Many trucking companies engage in dangerous load manipulation practices. Deliberately overloading trucks can maximize shipping efficiency and reduce transportation costs — but at what cost?
Trucking companies frequently exploit legal gray areas by:
- Exceeding legal weight limits and manipulating weight documents
- Improperly distributing cargo to maximize load capacity
- Using outdated or inaccurate weight calculation methods
- Pressuring drivers to ignore obvious cargo balance issues
- Bypassing mandatory weigh station inspections
- Modifying truck specifications to carry heavier loads
- Using worn or inadequate cargo-securing equipment
The combination of a tired, inexperienced truck driver with overweight cargo is a disaster waiting to happen. There is a clear need to update commercial driving regulations.
The Need for Stricter Trucking Policies
Trucking company policies need stronger enforcement. To tackle unsafe practices, we need a mix of industry reform, stricter regulations, and continued fight for change.
Industry responsibility
The trucking industry must take greater responsibility for safety, starting with:
- Realistic scheduling that allows for legal, safe operation
- Compensation structures that don’t incentivize excessive speed or hours
- Comprehensive preventative maintenance programs
- Thorough driver training that exceeds minimum standards
- Zero-tolerance policies for safety violations
Some carriers have already put these practices in place. They are proof that safety and profitability can coexist. These industry leaders should become the standard, not the exception.
Enhanced enforcement
Regulatory agencies need more resources to identify bad policies before they lead to accidents.
Potential improvements include:
- Increased roadside inspection capacity
- Better audit processes for company safety records
- Stricter penalties for companies that establish unsafe policies
- More sophisticated monitoring of electronic logging systems
- Coordination between states to track companies operating across state lines
These improvements could help close the regulatory gaps. The changes could also restrict and even end unsafe practices in Nebraska and beyond.
Technology solutions
New technologies offer promising solutions to some safety challenges.
Some examples of tech upgrades include:
- Advanced systems that can detect fatigue or distraction
- Improved electronic logging with tamper-resistant features
- Automated vehicle inspection systems at weigh stations
- Predictive maintenance software that identifies potential failures before they occur
- Enhanced training simulators that prepare drivers for Nebraska-specific driving conditions
While these technologies cannot replace good policies, they can help identify problems. Such systems provide extra safeguards against policy failures.
The Human Cost Beyond Statistics
Behind every trucking accident are real people whose lives are forever changed. We understand how devastating this can be. Corporate decisions made in boardrooms hundreds of miles away change lives. The true impact of trucking accidents extends far beyond the initial collision.
Trucking accidents bring about painful changes such as:
- Parents losing children unexpectedly
- Spouses becoming widows or widowers
- Children left without primary caregivers
- Medical bills that can bankrupt families
- Permanent disabilities that change one’s life course
- Lost career opportunities and future potential
- Overwhelming emotional trauma
- Communities left grieving and permanently scarred
These are real human lives affected by corporate negligence. True, no amount of money can reverse your loss after a truck accident. But trucking companies must be held accountable for the pain they have caused.
Protecting Your Rights After a Trucking Accident
When a trucking accident turns your life upside down, the legal path can be overwhelming. Trucking accident cases are far more complicated than typical car crashes.
At Hauptman O’Brien, we are committed to fighting for your rights. Our team is prepared to launch an immediate, comprehensive investigation to:
- Secure electronic control module data
- Get driver qualification and training records
- Review maintenance and inspection documentation
- Analyze load securement and weight distribution
- Interview witnesses before memories fade
- Trace the chain of decisions that led to the accident
Identifying all responsible parties is crucial to ensuring full compensation for your injuries. We fight to hold every responsible party accountable and help you get what you need to rebuild your life.
Contact a Nebraska Truck Accident Attorney Today
Trucking company policies play an important role in causing accidents on Nebraska roads. If you suspect that your accident was the result of bad practices, contact us today.
At Hauptman O’Brien, we are dedicated to holding trucking companies accountable. When their unsafe policies cause harm, this behavior should not go unpunished. We understand how ignoring federal rules and industry best practices can lead to accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Omaha, South Omaha, Sarpy County, or anywhere in Nebraska, schedule a free case review here. We’ll fight for the full compensation you deserve. Your recovery is our priority.
I want to thank David C. along with all staff, for the prompt assistance and response to my case.