California Trucking Regulations

Trucking Regulations and Your Claim for Damages

Because of their weight and size, large commercial trucks and big rigs can cause great devastation when they go out of control. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) oversees the trucking industry. Regulations have been established concerning Truck Inspection and Highway Safety, truck driver training and testing, retention of driver logs and truck company records, as well as driver disqualification. The responsibilities of truck operators and trucking companies are defined in Chapter 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations to prevent semi-truck driver and employer negligence leading to trucking accidents. Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident should consult a California truck accident attorney respected for getting results.

The common causes of trucking accidents are addressed in the FMCSA regulations. Drivers are limited to 11 hours behind the wheel and no more than a total of 14 hours including non-driving work. Violations of the Hours of Service can result in a dangerously tired driver. A driver may not drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Failure to repair and properly maintain or to inspect the truck for roadworthiness can have disastrous consequences. Unsecured cargo or carrying a load which exceeds the total allowed weight of 80,000 pounds can interfere with a driver's control. Failure to abide by these and other regulations can have a considerable effect on a claim for damages.

Truck Inspection and Highway Safety

Why You Need A San Francisco Trucking Accident Attorney

The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations require that the driver of a commercial vehicle ensures that a vehicle is in good working order before taking it on the road. Many truck drivers and trucking companies are careful to comply with these regulations because they realize that it protects the safety of other motorists. Additionally, a breakdown during a trip is costly in both time and profits. Despite the existence of this law requiring regular inspections, it is estimated that twenty-five percent of the trucks on the road have significant mechanical defects. Truck accident investigations conducted by a San Francisco truck accident attorney far too often find serious mechanical defects which are a vital factor in a tragic trucking accident.

Truck Inspections and Highway Safety: Truck Accident Lawyer in California

Prior inspection records should be checked to ensure all previous problems have been fully repaired. The truck and any trailer(s) must be carefully inspected for any unreported damage, or leaks of fuel, coolant, grease or oil. The starting system, horn, air compressor, brake system, fuel, coolant, oil, air compressor, signal light, hazard lights, headlights, windshield wipers, clutch, transmission, and horn should be inspected daily. Shortcuts of this mandatory inspection or a failure to maintain a truck in good working order can place other motorists at risk. Failure to perform pre-trip inspections or inadequate records concerning maintenance may be evidence of negligence. After a serious accident, a truck inspection and highway safety lawyer at our firm scrutinizes the mechanical condition of the truck to determine if a failure to maintain or other violations of federal regulations caused the accident.

Our legal team understands how vital a thorough truck accident investigation is in order to obtain all of the information needed to prepare and file a claim for financial compensation and hold the liable parties accountable. At The Matiasic Firm, we have been advocating for the rights of clients injured through negligence for twenty-five years. We attribute our success to our willingness to put in the effort needed to conduct a thorough truck accident investigation and to see a case through to a positive conclusion. Since the laws are continuously evolving a trucking regulation lawyer at our firm works to keep abreast of the current regulations and provide the highest quality legal representation.