Truck accidents and hours of service regulations

Fatigued driving is extremely dangerous. A tired driver can experience reduced reaction time and may fall asleep behind the wheel, causing him or her to veer into oncoming traffic or slam into slow or stopped traffic. The results of these accidents can be catastrophic under any circumstances, but such outcomes are much more likely when the errant vehicle is a semi-truck. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, then you need to understand the laws and regulations that apply to your set of circumstances so that you can find accountability, which may mean imposing liability on a fatigued trucker

Hours of service regulations

Amongst the numerous regulations that are applicable to truckers are those pertaining to hours of service. These regulations limit the number of hours that truckers can drive in hopes of ensuring that truckers are rested and alert when behind the wheel. Under these regulations, truckers are limited to driving 60 hours in any seven-day period or 70 hours in any eight-day period. Also, trucker’s can’t drive for more than 11 hours after coming onto duty, and those 11 hours must fall within a 14-hour window between mandatory 10-hour rest periods. Thirty-minute breaks are also required after every eight hours of driving. There are some exceptions to these regulations, such as when the weather is bad.

How a violation can strengthen your case

If you can prove that the trucker who caused your accident violated certain trucking regulations, including those pertaining to hours of service, then your personal injury case will be strengthened considerably. In many instances, a violation with such import is enough to demonstrate some sort of negligence, which is one of the biggest portions of your personal injury claim. It’s important to note that you don’t have to prove a trucking violation in order to succeed on your claim.

Proving a trucking violation

Proving a trucking violation may not be as easy as it seems. To succeed, you might have to request trucking logs, electronic data, and employment records from a trucker and his or her employer. You might also have to take depositions and know how to cross-examine witnesses. Fortunately, though, you don’t have to face these issues on your own. Instead, you can seek help from a legal professional who is well versed in handling these types of cases. Hopefully then you’ll be able to maximize your chances of succeeding on your claim and obtaining the outcome you deserve.