Many truckers are hard workers. They are often asked to drive long hours on tight deadlines, as well as help load and unload the cargo they are carrying. They also have to ensure that they are cognizant of the regulations that apply to them.
These regulations, many of which have been implemented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, seek to ensure the safety of truckers as well as other motorists. These regulations can pertain to cargo securement, truck maintenance, and weight limits. One of the most important regulations, though, pertains to trucker driving hours.
Known as hours of service, the limits placed on trucker drive time is aimed at reducing trucker fatigue, and, thereby preventing tired driving-related truck accidents. Generally speaking, truckers are able to drive for 11 hours after taking 10 hours off. They may not, however, drive beyond the 14th hour after they go back on duty after their 10 hour off period. Additionally, truckers are subjected to mandatory rest periods, whereby they cannot drive beyond their eighth consecutive hour since their last 10 hour off period or 30 minute break. Lastly, truckers are disallowed from driving more than 60 hours in a seven-day period, or 70 hours in an eight-day period.
Unfortunately, far too often truckers and the truck companies for which they work choose to ignore these regulations. When they do, tragic accidents can occur, leaving victims with serious injuries. Recouping from these injuries can be painful, stressful, and costly. This is why many truck accident victims choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in hopes of recovering compensation for their damages.
Those who do take legal action in the aftermath of a truck wreck may want to turn to the applicable trucking regulations. If they can show that regulations were violated, then their claim of negligence may be strengthened. To learn more about how to develop a personal injury lawsuit based on trucker negligence, accident victims should consider speaking with a qualified attorney.
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Summary of Hours of Service Regulations,” accessed on April 28, 2017
