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How Trucking Company Negligence Contributes to Washington D.C. Crashes

Many people immediately assume the driver is at fault when a truck accident happens in Washington, D.C.. But in many cases, the real problem lies behind the scenes, with the trucking company itself. Unsafe hiring, poor maintenance, and unrealistic schedules all point to a much deeper issue: negligence at the company level.

At Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience identifying how trucking company negligence causes or contributes to serious accidents. In this blog, we break down the most common ways these companies fail their duty—and what you can do if you’ve been hurt.

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Commercial trucking companies ensure that their vehicles, drivers, and operations meet federal and local safety standards. When they ignore these duties, they place lives at risk. Some of the most common forms of trucking company negligence include:

Improper hiring practices
Lack of driver training
Neglecting vehicle maintenance
Pushing drivers to violate Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules
Failing to monitor driver conduct
Overloading trucks or improperly securing cargo
Neglecting to address safety violations or prior accidents

When trucking companies cut corners to maximize profits, it can lead directly to crashes, injuries, and fatalities on D.C. roads.

One of the most common failures involves hiring unqualified or dangerous drivers. Trucking companies are required to:

Verify that drivers have a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
Conduct background checks
Review driving histories for red flags (e.g., DUIs, accidents, citations)
Administer drug and alcohol screening

Some companies skip these steps to fill staffing gaps quickly, especially when facing driver shortages. When an unqualified or poorly vetted driver causes an accident, the company may be held liable for negligent hiring.

Even qualified drivers can cause accidents if they aren’t adequately trained. Trucking companies are supposed to provide safety instruction on topics like:

How to handle large trucks in city traffic
Blind spot awareness
Safe loading procedures
How to respond in emergencies or poor weather

Failure to train drivers thoroughly is a direct breach of duty, and if that lack of training leads to a crash, it can be used as evidence in a personal injury claim.

Commercial trucks require regular inspections and maintenance to remain safe. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates that trucking companies keep detailed maintenance logs and ensure that vital systems—brakes, tires, lights, steering—are in good condition.

Skipping maintenance or ignoring warning signs like worn brake pads or tire treads can lead to catastrophic failures on the road. When a truck accident is caused by mechanical failure, investigators often uncover negligence in the maintenance records, or a total lack of them.

Truck drivers must follow Hours-of-Service rules that limit how long they can drive before taking a break. These rules exist to reduce fatigue-related crashes, which are particularly dangerous when they involve massive commercial vehicles.

Unfortunately, some trucking companies pressure drivers to ignore these limits in order to meet tight deadlines. This may involve:

Falsifying driver logs
Encouraging drivers to skip rest periods
Incentivizing faster delivery over safety

When companies put profits before people, they should be held responsible for the damage they cause.

Trucking companies are responsible for monitoring their employees to ensure safe and legal operation. This includes:

Performing random drug and alcohol testing
Reviewing safety records and crash reports
Installing GPS or dash cams to monitor driver behavior
Addressing repeated safety complaints or violations

Failure to supervise drivers appropriately—or ignoring red flags—can expose a company to significant liability.

Improper loading is another major cause of truck accidents. A trailer that is overloaded or unbalanced can cause:

Rollover accidents
Jackknifing
Lost cargo that spills onto the roadway

If a crash results from improperly secured or excessive cargo, both the trucking company and any third-party loaders may share legal responsibility.

In some cases, companies ignore prior citations, complaints, or crashes involving the same driver or vehicle. If they knew—or should have known—that a truck posed a danger and failed to act, they may be found negligent under D.C. law.

At Regan Zambri Long, we use every available tool to investigate and uncover trucking company negligence. We pursue evidence such as:

Hiring and training records
Driver logbooks and ELD (electronic logging device) data
Maintenance and inspection reports
Dispatch communications and delivery schedules
Safety audit results and FMCSA violations

This information allows us to prove not just that an accident happened, but that it happened because a company failed to prioritize safety.

Whena  trucking company’s negligence is proven, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost income and diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Property damage
Emotional distress

In some cases—such as when a company knowingly allowed dangerous practices to continue—you may also be awarded punitive damages to punish the misconduct and prevent future harm.

Taking on a commercial trucking company requires experience, resources, and a deep understanding of both D.C. personal injury law and federal trucking regulations. At Regan Zambri Long, we are equipped to fight back against powerful trucking corporations and insurance providers.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident in Washington, D.C., don’t wait. Contact Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We will investigate the role of the trucking company, preserve key evidence, and fight for every dollar you deserve.