Utah has its fair share of trucks and semi-trucks that are bringing in goods or passing through to other states. The trucking industry plays a big role in steering the economy, but trucks are also among the top causes of severe injuries and fatalities on the roads.
As such, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has enacted several laws for trucking drivers and their employers to maintain order and safety. If you’re a truck driver, understanding these laws will guarantee both your and other road users’ safety.
For other drivers, knowing these laws will help protect your rights in case of an accident involving a truck. Reviewing the crash with a truck accident lawyer can also be a good start to filing an injury claim and pursuing your compensation.
Due to an increase in crashes caused by truck driver fatigue, the government has set out rules to govern their hours of service.
A truck driver can only drive for 11 hours maximum after being consecutively off duty for 10 hours. In addition, they’re not allowed to drive for 14 consecutive hours after the 10-hour off-duty period. This information is also expected to reflect in their mandatory logbooks.
Every driver is required to have a commercial driver's license that’s appropriate for the type of truck and cargo they transport.
It’s the employer’s duty to ensure their truck drivers have received proper training and possess the right license. This means you can hold a trucking company liable for an accident caused by an unqualified or unlicensed driver.
Truck drivers should not operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substances. It’s also illegal for the driver to be in possession of alcohol or other drugs while driving or to have used the same 8 hours before getting behind the wheel.
Each vehicle should have quality cargo securing devices to prevent the load from falling off and threatening road safety.
The federal trucking laws have further specified the maximum load weight allowed for different types of commercial trucks.
There are also various laws that dictate the quality of different truck vehicle parts, such as brakes, towing assemblies, cargo securement, tires, and so on.
Employers or truck owners are also expected to perform maintenance checks and repairs for worn-out or broken parts.
Have you been involved in an accident you believe was caused by a truck driver’s failure to comply with the trucking laws? This amounts to negligence, and you can hold them accountable by claiming compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Contact the Craig Swapp & Associates law firm to speak with a truck accident attorney about your truck accident case. You can call our offices at 1-800-404-9000 or visit our website for more information.
Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer, Craig Swapp and Associates are available to assist all personal injury victims throughout Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. Our team can help you obtain financial recovery from just about any type of accident. If you’ve recently become an injured victim in a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact Craig Swapp & Associates for immediate assistance from accident lawyers you can trust.Personal InjuryCar AccidentsTruck AccidentsMotorcycle AccidentsWrongful Death... View full business profile here: Craig Swapp & Associates
