Truck accidents often lead to serious injuries, and the outcome of your injury claim can depend heavily on federal trucking regulations. These rules, set by agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), govern everything from driver behavior to vehicle maintenance, and violations of these regulations can have a significant impact on your ability to recover compensation. Our Germantown, MD truck accident lawyer leverages federal trucking laws to produce positive outcomes in injury claims. With over twenty years of experience winning settlements from personal injury victims, the team at Antezana & Antezana, LLC is knowledgeable about how regulations can shape the legal process following a truck accident.
Hours-of-Service Regulations
One of the most important sets of regulations for truck drivers is the Hours-of-Service (HOS) rule, which limits how long truckers can drive before they must take a break. The FMCSA has strict guidelines that require drivers to rest after a certain number of driving hours in order to prevent fatigue, which is a leading cause of commercial truck accidents.
When a truck driver violates these regulations, it can be a major factor in your injury claim. If a trucker was behind the wheel longer than legally allowed and caused an accident due to fatigue, you may be able to show that driver negligence played a key role in your crash. Our attorney will likely request the driver’s logs or use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to prove that the driver exceeded their hours. This violation could strengthen your case by establishing that the trucker was not properly rested and was operating the vehicle unsafely.
Injury claims involving fatigued drivers often result in higher compensation because the driver’s actions can be seen as more reckless. By proving the driver was overworked or ignored safety regulations, you can hold them accountable for their actions and pursue damages more effectively.
Maintenance And Inspection Violations
Another critical area of trucking regulations is vehicle maintenance. Trucks must undergo regular inspections and maintenance to make sure they are in proper working order. The FMCSA requires trucking companies to maintain detailed records of vehicle inspections, repairs, and maintenance. If a truck involved in your accident was not properly maintained or had a mechanical failure due to inadequate upkeep, this could be a key factor in your injury claim.
For example, if the truck’s brakes failed during the crash and the trucking company failed to properly inspect or repair the braking system, you may have grounds for a claim against the company. Additionally, our personal injury attorney may uncover maintenance records that show the truck was overdue for an inspection or that dangerous issues had been ignored. Violations like these show a lack of responsibility on the part of the trucking company, which could make them liable for your injuries.
Impact Of Driver Qualifications And Training
Federal trucking laws also mandate that drivers must meet certain qualifications before operating a commercial vehicle. These qualifications include holding a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and completing specific training regarding truck operation and safety. When a truck driver is involved in an accident, a key part of your claim may involve determining whether the driver was properly trained and qualified to operate the vehicle.
If the driver was not properly trained, or if the company failed to verify their qualifications, this could be another area where the law works in your favor. For instance, if the truck driver did not have the required endorsements on their CDL, or if they lacked the necessary knowledge of how to safely handle a vehicle of that size, their negligence could be a central part of your claim.
Trucking companies are required to perform background checks, driving history reviews, and drug screenings, among other steps, to ensure that their drivers are qualified and safe. In cases where the driver has a poor history or was inadequately trained, you may be able to demonstrate that the company failed to hire or train the driver properly, leading to the accident. This could strengthen your vehicle accident claim and help you seek greater compensation for your injuries.
Trucking Laws And Their Effect On Your Accident Claim
Federal trucking regulations play a major role in injury claims resulting from truck accidents. Whether it’s hours-of-service violations, maintenance failures, or issues with driver qualifications, these regulations can directly impact the outcome of your case. When trucking companies or drivers fail to comply with the rules, they expose themselves to legal liability, which can help you recover compensation for your injuries. By working with our experienced accident lawyer at Antezana & Antezana, LLC, you can investigate violations of these regulations and build a strong case to pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our office now for a free case review. We have three convenient locations in Maryland and are prepared to go above and beyond for your claim. Don’t wait to get the legal guidance you need. Call today.
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