The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for regulating the trucking industry. Trucking companies across the country must comply with a long list of regulations established by this federal agency, but many of them fail to do so. Sadly, violating one of these regulations puts everyone on the road at risk. Here’s what you should know about trucking regulations in truck accident cases:
Examples of Trucking Regulations
The FMSCA has established countless trucking regulations. One regulation sets a maximum driving time for drivers who are transporting goods in a commercial vehicle. According to this regulation, a truck driver cannot get behind the wheel unless he has had a minimum of 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Truck drivers also are not allowed to continue driving if it has been more than 8 hours since they took a break that lasted at least 30 minutes.
There are also regulations that require trucking companies to frequently inspect their trucks and make any necessary repairs. Most trucking companies are also required to keep a record of the inspections and repairs performed on each truck. The record should include the date of the inspection or repair and a detailed description of the work that was performed on the vehicle.
Of course, this is not an all-inclusive list of regulations in the trucking industry. Since there are so many regulations, it’s best to work with a personal injury attorney to determine if a regulation has been violated in your case.
How Trucking Regulations Affect Liability
The FMSCA put these rules in place for a reason: they keep the roads safe. Unfortunately, accidents often occur when a trucking company or truck driver fails to comply with these regulations.
For example, consider the restrictions on the number of consecutive driving hours mentioned above. This regulation was established to prevent truck drivers from drowsy driving, which is the leading cause of truck accidents. If a trucking company violates this regulation by forcing a driver to work longer hours, the driver’s fatigue could lead to a collision.
This type of regulation violation can help truck accident victims determine who is liable for their injuries. It is often the case that the party who violated a regulation is held liable for the victim’s injuries. In the example above, evidence that the trucking company forced a driver to violate a federal regulation could be used to hold the trucking company liable.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact Reisch Law Firm at once. Our personal injury attorneys will immediately conduct a full investigation to gather evidence that can be used to prove liability. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
