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FMCSA Violation Related Accidents
At Carabin Shaw Law Firm, we know the regulations and rules a driver must follow while on the road. We also know that they help keep not only the driver of the truck safe, but those traveling on the same road as well. Call our San Antonio Trucking Lawyers if you have been injured as a result of an accident caused by a violation of the FMCSA rules and regulations at 210-222-2288.
What the FMCSA saysDaily Restrictions
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules prohibit a truck more than 11 hours or to drive after having been on-duty for 14 hours. The 3 hour difference lets the driver take care of non-driving duties like loading and unloading, fueling, required inspections, and to eat and rest. Once this limit is met, the driver must be allowed 10 hours off-duty time.
Weekly Restrictions
They also restrict drivers from operating after being on-duty for 60 hours in 7 consecutive days if the company does not operate every day of the week. The alternative is 70 hours in 8 consecutive days if they do operate every day of the week. Long story short, they are required to take breaks and required to rest.
Failure to abide by these regulations is not only a violation of the FMCSA, but it leads to dangerous situations because of driver fatigue. This is caused by avoiding natural sleep/wake cycle affecting attentiveness to driving. Driver fatigue could lead to truck accidents causing serious injuries or even death.
Breaking the RulesThere is very superficial oversight in enforcement and some drivers take advantage of this fact. Surveys indicate that between 25% and 75% of drivers violate the rest rules, and other drivers keep more than one log book with falsified versions. Drivers are not alone, trucking companies may knowingly choose to ignore violations by their drivers as a cost cutting measure. This may mean that the trucking company could be liable for injuries sustained a result of a violation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a large commercial vehicle or an 18 wheeler, call our San Antonio Trucking Accident Lawyers at Carabin Shaw Law Firm. Our dedicated team of lawyers know the federal rules and regulations that truck drivers, and the trucking companies that employ them, must follow. Call us at 210-222-2288, day or night, for more information.
