How Federal Trucking Regulations Affect Your Accident Claim

When trucking companies or drivers break the rules, accidents happen. Often preventable ones. At Strong Law Accident & Injury Attorneys, we use these federal regulations to build stronger cases for injured clients. A violation of FMCSA rules can serve as direct evidence of negligence. It’s not just our opinion that they were careless. It’s federal law.

How Do Hours Of Service Violations Impact My Case?

Federal law limits how many hours truck drivers can work before taking mandatory rest breaks. Drivers can’t exceed 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They also can’t drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty. Fatigued driving causes a huge number of commercial truck accidents. If a driver violated hours of service rules before your crash, that violation can prove the trucking company’s negligence. We obtain electronic logging device data and logbooks to verify compliance.

What Maintenance Requirements Apply To Commercial Trucks?

Trucking companies must maintain their vehicles according to federal standards. It’s not optional. Required maintenance includes:

• Regular brake inspections and repairs
• Tire tread depth and pressure checks
• Steering system maintenance
• Lighting and signal function tests
• Annual vehicle inspections

Poor maintenance causes serious accidents. Brake failures kill people. So do tire blowouts and steering malfunctions. When maintenance records show neglect or skipped inspections, we can hold the company accountable for injuries. These documents don’t lie.

How Do Driver Qualification Standards Strengthen My Claim?

The FMCSA requires commercial drivers to meet specific qualifications. Companies must verify licenses, conduct background checks, and make sure drivers pass medical examinations. They’re also supposed to provide adequate training.

If a trucking company hired an unqualified driver or failed to conduct proper background checks, this negligent hiring becomes part of your claim. We investigate driver histories to uncover past violations, accidents, or medical conditions that should’ve disqualified them from operating commercial vehicles. A Sandy truck accident lawyer can obtain these records through the discovery process. Sometimes what we find is shocking.

What Is The Black Box And Why Does It Matter?

Most commercial trucks have electronic control modules. People call them black boxes. These devices record speed, braking, engine performance, and other data. Federal regulations require trucking companies to preserve this information after accidents. This data provides objective evidence about what happened before impact. It can show excessive speed, sudden braking, or failure to slow down. The numbers don’t care about anyone’s version of events. We act quickly to secure this evidence before companies can claim data was lost or overwritten. You wouldn’t believe how often that “just happens.”

Can Cargo Loading Violations Affect My Case?

Federal regulations govern how cargo must be loaded and secured. Overloaded trucks or improperly secured cargo create serious hazards. Weight limits exist for good reasons. Overloaded trucks require longer stopping distances and put excessive strain on brakes. Cargo that shifts during transport can cause drivers to lose control. When we find loading violations, we investigate who was responsible for securing the load. Sometimes multiple parties share liability. It might be the trucking company, the shipping company, or a third-party loading facility.

How Do Drug And Alcohol Testing Requirements Help My Claim?

Commercial drivers must submit to random drug testing and post-accident testing. Companies must maintain testing records and remove drivers who test positive. There’s no wiggle room on this. If a trucking company failed to conduct required testing or allowed a driver with a known substance abuse problem to operate a vehicle, that’s serious negligence. These violations can lead to punitive damages beyond standard compensation. Courts don’t take kindly to companies that put profits over public safety.

Contact a Sandy truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. We’ll begin investigating immediately to preserve evidence and identify all applicable regulations the trucking company or driver may have violated. Federal trucking regulations provide multiple paths to proving negligence and securing the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Don’t wait.