Truck drivers and transport companies must adhere to strict regulations to ensure road safety and prevent devastating accidents. These regulations include guidance on the maximum number of hours drivers can work, vehicle maintenance requirements, and cargo limits.
When violations of federal trucking laws in Houston occur, they can result in catastrophic crashes and lead to serious injuries for those involved. A truck accident attorney at Mostyn Law could investigate the circumstances of your crash and help you pursue compensation from the negligent party.
The trucking industry is governed by strict federal regulations that promote safety for all road users. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes and enforces these standards for commercial motor vehicles and their operators nationwide.
Hours of Service rules limit the amount of time truck drivers can operate their vehicles without rest, aiming to prevent driver fatigue, a leading cause of accidents. Under these regulations, drivers must take at least 10 consecutive hours off duty before starting a new shift.
After their off-duty period, drivers can operate their vehicle for up to 11 hours within a 14-hour on-duty window. Additionally, they must take a 30-minute break after eight cumulative hours of driving.
Truck drivers must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) appropriate for their vehicle class. Obtaining a CDL requires passing both written knowledge tests and practical driving examinations.
Drivers must also maintain medical certification through regular physical examinations to ensure they are fit to operate these large vehicles safely.
Federal regulations mandate regular vehicle inspections and maintenance. Drivers must conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections and document any defects. Trucking companies are responsible for keeping detailed maintenance records and ensuring all vehicles meet safety standards before they are put into operation.
The FMCSA establishes maximum weight limits for commercial trucks, capping gross vehicle weight at 80,000 pounds on interstate highways. In addition to weight restrictions, cargo must also be properly secured according to federal regulations to prevent shifting or falling during transport.
Drivers must participate in mandatory drug and alcohol testing programs. These include before employment, random testing during employment, after accidents, and when reasonable suspicion arises.
Our team at Mostyn Law could use violations of these government commercial vehicle regulations to help you establish negligence in your Houston truck accident case.
To obtain compensation for your losses, you must demonstrate that the negligent actions of another party caused the accident. The truck accident attorneys at our Houston law firm understand national freight transport rules and could gather evidence on your behalf and use this to build a compelling case against the negligent party.
Modern commercial trucks have electronic logging devices that record various details, including service hours, speed, braking patterns, and engine performance. We could analyze this data to identify hours of service violations or dangerous driving behaviors that contributed to your accident.
These files contain the driver’s employment history, training records, any previous violations, and medical certifications. Our experienced truck accident lawyers could examine these documents to uncover patterns of negligence, including a failure by the trucking company to vet or train a driver.
Truck maintenance logs reveal whether the vehicle that caused your accident received the required inspections and repairs. A truck accident lawyer at Mostyn Law could identify mechanical failures or deferred maintenance that may have caused your accident.
Eyewitness accounts provide independent perspectives on how the collision occurred. Our legal team could interview witnesses to your accident to preserve their recollections and gather corroborating testimony to support your case.
A truck accident can result in serious injuries and significant losses. You may face ongoing financial strain due to lost income and long-term medical care costs.
If you have been injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle being driven in breach of federal trucking laws in Houston, you do not have to fight alone. A skilled truck accident lawyer from our team could investigate your case, help you to prove negligence, and give you the best chance to receive maximum compensation. Contact Mostyn Law today.
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