Posted in Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law,Truck Wreck on November 27, 2014
How Is the Trucking Industry Regulated?
The trucking industry is subject to many strict rules and regulations designed to keep truck drivers and other motorists on the road as safe as possible. These regulations are created and enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). All truck drivers, owners, manufacturers, and companies must abide by these guidelines to legally conduct business involving the transportation of goods using big trucks.
If you’re ever involved in an accident involving a truck, it’s important to contact a Cookeville truck accident lawyer who is familiar with these regulations and can investigate to determine if any were violated and contributed to the accident. If FMCSA regulations were violated, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
FMCSA Trucking Industry Regulations
Regulations that truck drivers and all businesses related to the trucking industry must follow include:
All truck drivers are required to undergo extensive training and testing before being allowed to drive on public roads. Drivers must prove that they can successfully perform all the required maneuvers to safely operate a big truck in a variety of conditions and weather.
Truck drivers must be in good health and capable of safely driving trucks for long periods of time. In addition, trucking companies are prohibited from requiring drivers to be on the road for more than 11 consecutive hours, and they must allow drivers to rest for at least 10 hours between their shifts.
Trucking companies, truck drivers, and the workers who load trucks are required by the FMCSA to avoid overloading trucks or loading cargo unevenly. Trucks that are overloaded or have more weight on one side than the other can be difficult to control and could lead to accidents. In addition, all cargo must be securely fastened to avoid falling off and striking other vehicles.
Truck owners are required to make sure their trucks are in good working order and well maintained on a regular basis. Failure to maintain trucks can result in the failure of vital components like the steering wheel, brake pedal, transmission, and more. Because trucks are much more difficult to steer and slow down than standard vehicles, even minor malfunctions can lead to serious accidents and severe injuries.
The Cookeville truck accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law can investigate your truck accident to find evidence in the event that any FMCSA regulations were violated. If we determine that the trucking company, truck driver, truck manufacturer, or truck owner failed to exercise proper care and caution in maintaining or operating a truck, we will do everything in our power to hold them responsible for your accident-related expenses.
To get in touch with our experienced legal team, contact us at (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form. Don’t wait to get help for your truck accident—call us today.
