Large trucks can cause catastrophic damage in an accident and are therefore subject to stringent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules and regulations. Trucking companies and their drivers must abide by hours of service regulations, undergo regular inspections of vehicles, and ensure that drivers carry a commercial driver’s license when operating to avoid violations.
Hours of Service Regulations limits the number of hours a driver can operate without taking a break to prevent fatigue. Driving drowsy can result in poor decision making skills, increased reaction times, and other unsafe driving which can result in an accident. A driver’s electronic logbook may provide evidence of violations to the hours of service regulations when accidents occur.
Trucks must undergo regular inspection for signs of wear and tear to carry out necessary repairs. A trucking company that fails to perform periodic inspection, maintenance, and repairs can be liable if problems with the truck such as when brake failure or faulty steering results in an accident.
Trucks are harder to safely operate than a standard size vehicle. Therefore, commercial truck drivers are required to carry a commercial driver’s license to operate. Allowing unqualified truck drivers to operate can result in a finding of negligence in a truck accident.
Truck accidents can be caused by FMCSA noncompliance as well as other violations of law. It is important to work with an experienced truck accident personal injury law firm if you or a loved one is injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a commercial truck driver. Contact the Davenport personal injury lawyers of McDonald, Woodward & Carlson for help at 563-355-6478.