If you work in the transportation industry delivering goods in a semi truck, you likely spend a significant amount of time navigating the nation's roadways. Sharing the road with passenger vehicles and other commercial transportation vehicles can be dangerous. While there is little that you can do to prevent an accident caused by another driver, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the number of accidents you cause over the course of your career.

Here are two tips you can implement to help reduce the chance that you will incur legal problems for accidents you cause in the future.

1. Make sure that you keep an accurate log book.

Drowsiness can contribute to the causation of an accident because lack of sleep dulls your reflexes. The government recognizes how dangerous a drowsy semi driver can be, and regulations that limit the amount of time a driver can spend behind the wheel each day have been implemented to promote public safety.

To avoid legal problems in the event that you do cause an accident, it's imperative that you keep an accurate log book. Being able to prove that you were in compliance with the 14 hour on-duty limit, 11 hour driving limit, 30 minute break, and the 60 or 70 weekly hour limits will help ensure that you don't incur legal problems for fatigued driving.

2. Make sure you have a valid medical card.

A number of medical conditions can affect an individual's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. To ensure that other drivers involved in an accident you caused while behind the wheel of your semi truck can't claim that a medical condition contributed to your accident, be sure that you keep a valid medical card at all times.

A medical card is issued by the medical examiner in your state, and is typically required for all drivers who operate vehicles whose gross weight rating is over 10,000 pounds. If you don't want to be found negligent after you cause an accident, be sure that your own medical card is up-to-date.

Learning to protect yourself from legal problems as a semi driver can be important. To ensure that you don't find yourself entrenched in a heated legal battle after you cause an accident, take the time to maintain accurate log books and keep your medical card current. These actions will help you avoid legal complications and get back on the road as quickly as possible.

For a truck accident attorney, contact a law firm such as Scherline And Associates. 

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