Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 18 Wheelers | New Mexico Attorneys

A fully-loaded 18 wheeler can legally weigh as much as 80,000 pounds—meaning that safe driving is of utmost importance for truckers. That’s why the federal government developed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRS), which govern commercial vehicles involved in interstate commerce. These regulations are meant to prevent crashes, and they set forth minimum standards for operating commercial vehicles across state lines. If you’ve been involved in a wreck with a commercial vehicle in Carlsbad, New Mexico, an 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Carlsbad can help you determine whether the driver was in violation of these regulations, at which point you have grounds to sue for negligence. But what are the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 18 Wheelers?

The FMCSRS contains hundreds of pages detailing rules for truck drivers and trucking companies. These rules cover several major areas, including:

1. Driver Certification

Drivers of commercial vehicles must be at least 21 years of age, proficient in English, and must meet certain medical standards. They must also be licensed and trained to drive their commercial vehicle.

2. Rules for Driving Commercial Trucks

Many truck accidents are caused by unsafe driving practices like speeding, failure to yield, and following too closely to allow for safe stopping distances. For this reason, the FMCSRS has an entire section dedicated to establishing safety rules for drivers. This section contains restrictions on driver cell phone usage, rules about driving in poor weather conditions, and more.

3. Hours of Service (HOS) Rules

Driving while fatigued has been proven to be as dangerous as drunk driving. Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of car accidents, and is especially prevalent among truck drivers striving to keep up with tight deadlines. Fortunately, the FMCSRS limits how long truckers are allowed to drive at once. Some drivers are even required to keep detailed logs in order to prove that they are in compliance with these regulations.

4. Vehicle Inspections

Drivers must abide by strict vehicle inspection requirements. The FMCSRS mandates inspections prior to and after each trip, and also establishes rules regarding annual inspections.

5. Drug and Alcohol Testing

Drivers are required to take drug tests prior to their employment and are also required to submit to random drug tests during their employment. Furthermore, the FMCSRS requires that drivers must be tested after any accidents.

If you’ve been involved in a commercial vehicle accident in Carlsbad, New Mexico, the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention. Your next step should be to call a lawyer—specifically, an 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Carlsbad. One of our Carlsbad injury attorneys can help you determine if FMCSRS rules were broken, and whether or not you have grounds for a successful negligence claim.

Here at Carabin Shaw, our attorneys have been handling trucking accident cases for more than two decades. We’ve recovered more than $500 million in compensation for our satisfied clients, and we can help maximize the value of your settlement. We take pride in handling each of our clients with the utmost care and professionalism. In fact, our law firm was named by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of the top ten best Texas personal injury firms in 2018 based on client satisfaction.

Finally, we offer all new clients a no cost, no obligation consultation with a lawyer. So call Carabin Shaw today at 915-779-2301 to find out what an experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Carlsbad can do for you. Don’t wait—speak with a qualified Carlsbad trucking accident attorney today. Let a compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated attorney help you get your life back on track.