Understanding Federal Trucking Regulations and How They Impact Your Case

Category: Truck Accidents

Article by Tuley Law staff

When you’re involved in a semi-truck accident, your case’s complexity goes far beyond simply determining who was at fault. The trucking industry is heavily regulated by federal laws and safety standards designed to ensure that trucking companies, drivers, and vehicles operate safely to prevent accidents.

Here, our Indiana truck accident attorneys explore key federal trucking regulations and what it means if they are violated.

Federal Trucking Regulations That Could Apply to Your Accident Case

Federal trucking regulations are designated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. These truck safety rules require companies to maintain certain standards for goods, vehicles, and truckers traveling across Indiana. Violations can be deadly for other drivers and may signal company liability in truck crash cases.

Some of the key commercial truck laws that may be violated include:

Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations

Hours of service (HOS) regulations are some of the most important trucking accident laws. They govern how long drivers can be on the road and when they must take rest breaks to prevent truck driver fatigue, a major factor in many truck accidents.

Under federal law, the HOS regulations limit the number of hours a driver can be behind the wheel each day and week, as well as when and how often they must take rest breaks. Key provisions include:

• 11-hour driving limit. Drivers may drive up to 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
• 14-hour limit. A driver’s total workday cannot exceed 14 hours, including both driving and non-driving tasks.
• 30-minute break. Drivers must take a non-driving 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
• 60/70-hour weekly limit. In a seven-day period, drivers cannot exceed 60 hours of driving; in an eight-day period, this increases to 70 hours.

If a truck driver violates hours of service regulations and crashes due to fatigue, they may be held liable for negligence. If the driver’s employer knowingly allows these violations or fails to enforce HOS regulations, the employer may also be held accountable.

A thorough investigation of the driver’s logbooks or electronic logging device (ELD) data can reveal whether the driver complied with these laws at the time of the crash.

Liability Insurance Requirements

Another important federal regulation relates to the minimum liability insurance a trucking company must carry to operate legally. According to the FMCSA, the required amount of insurance depends on the type of cargo being hauled:

• Non-hazardous freight. Trucking companies must carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance.
• Hazardous materials. The required coverage can be much higher—ranging from $1 million to $5 million, depending on the transported material.

If the trucking company is found to be operating without the required insurance, or if the coverage isn’t sufficient to fully compensate for your injuries, it can affect how you pursue your claim. In such cases, additional parties—such as the driver or the truck’s manufacturer—may be involved, and your lawyer may explore other avenues of recovery.

Safety Inspections and Maintenance

Federal law also requires trucking companies to ensure their vehicles undergo regular safety inspections, maintenance, and repairs. The FMCSA outlines specific inspection, repair, and maintenance standards for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).

These standards include:

• Pre-trip inspections. Truck drivers must make a pre-trip inspection of their vehicles to check for any defects or mechanical issues that could impair safety. A written report must be made of any defects, and these issues must be addressed before the vehicle can be driven.
• Periodic inspections. Every 12 months, trucks must undergo a detailed safety inspection by a certified mechanic to ensure that the vehicle is in good working condition.
• Out-of-service vehicles. Any vehicle found to be in disrepair or likely to cause an accident during inspection must be marked “out-of-service.” Trucking companies are forbidden from allowing any out-of-service vehicles to be driven until all repairs identified in the notice are completed.
• Repair and maintenance. Trucking companies must keep records of all repairs and maintenance performed on their vehicles, including who performed the work and when.

A trucking company could be responsible if an accident occurs due to a mechanical failure. For example, if the truck’s brakes failed due to lack of maintenance, the trucking company may be found negligent and held liable for any resulting injuries or damages.

Vehicle Weight Limits

The FMCSA also sets rules regarding the maximum weight limits for commercial trucks. Overloaded trucks are more prone to accidents because they have longer stopping distances, reduced stability, and higher chances of mechanical failure. Key regulations include:

• Maximum weight limits. The weight of a truck and its load cannot exceed 80,000 pounds on interstate highways.
• Weight distribution. Trucks must be properly loaded so that the weight is evenly distributed to prevent instability.

It can be difficult to prove that an overweight truck caused your accident. Evidence, such as weigh station records, can be critical in showing that a truck was violating federal weight limits at the time of the crash.

Driver Qualifications and Drug and Alcohol Testing

Trucking companies are required to ensure that their drivers meet certain qualifications and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing. Some of these provisions include:

• Driver qualifications. Truckers must have a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and meet medical and physical fitness requirements.
• Drug/alcohol testing. Truckers must submit to random drug and alcohol testing, as well as post-accident testing if they’re in a crash involving injuries or fatalities.

If the truck driver in your accident was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it may be grounds for negligent or reckless driving. Similarly, if the driver did not meet the proper qualifications or was driving without the necessary medical clearance, the employer could share liability for letting an unqualified driver operate the vehicle.

Let Us Advise You After a Semi-Truck Crash

If you’ve been involved in a semi-truck crash, working with an experienced trucking accident lawyer is your best chance of holding the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Contact Tuley Law Office today with our online contact form to begin your free consultation.

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