Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. If you’ve been injured in a truck crash, your personal injury claim may involve more than just proving negligence. Federal trucking regulations—set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)—play a critical role in determining fault and liability, as our Raleigh, NC truck accident lawyer can confirm.
Understanding these regulations can be the key to strengthening your case and securing the compensation you deserve.
What Are Federal Trucking Regulations?
Federal trucking regulations are a set of safety standards created to reduce accidents and improve the safety of commercial motor vehicles on U.S. roads. These laws apply to truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties involved in the commercial transportation industry. The FMCSA enforces these rules, which cover everything from driver qualifications to vehicle maintenance.
When these regulations are violated, it can be used as powerful evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.
Key Federal Trucking Regulations That May Impact Your Case
Here are some of the most important FMCSA regulations that can influence your truck accident case:
1. Hours Of Service (HOS) Rules
Truck drivers are subject to strict limits on how many hours they can drive in a day or week. For example:
- A driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
- Weekly driving limits are also enforced (60 or 70 hours on duty over 7 or 8 days).
Why it matters: Driver fatigue is a major cause of truck accidents. If a driver exceeded these limits, they or their employer could be held liable.
2. Vehicle Maintenance And Inspections
Trucking companies are required to routinely inspect and maintain their vehicles. Drivers must also conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections to identify any mechanical issues.
Why it matters: If a brake failure or tire blowout caused your crash, evidence of poor maintenance or ignored inspection reports could support your claim.
3. Driver Qualification Standards
Drivers must meet specific requirements to operate a commercial truck, including:
- Holding a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Passing regular medical exams
- Completing background checks
Why it matters: If a driver involved in your accident was not qualified or properly trained, that’s a serious violation that strengthens your case.
4. Weight And Cargo Restrictions
Trucks have legal weight limits and must secure cargo in compliance with FMCSA rules. Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can make trucks unstable and more likely to crash.
Why it matters: Violations of cargo rules can make the trucking company or the loading crew liable.
How A Lawyer Uses These Regulations To Build Your Case
Our experienced truck accident lawyer will investigate whether any FMCSA violations occurred and use that evidence to:
- Prove negligence
- Identify all liable parties (driver, company, contractor, etc.)
- Challenge the trucking company’s defense
- Strengthen your demand for full compensation
Lawyers often work with accident reconstruction experts and request access to logs, maintenance records, and black box data to uncover violations.
Federal trucking regulations are designed to protect everyone on the road. When those rules are ignored, people get hurt—and the trucking companies must be held accountable. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, having a lawyer who understands these complex regulations is essential. At Burton Law Firm, we are here to help you.