Trucking Regulations | Dallas 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney

One of the most dangerous vehicles on Dallas Texas roads are 18 wheelers. When they get into an accident with a regular passenger vehicle, it can have dire consequences. The average passenger vehicle weighs 4,000 lbs while an 18 wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. This discrepancy in size is the main factor that makes an 18 wheeler crash in Dallas so severe.

If you or a loved one has had a Dallas truck accident injury, you need someone to fight for you. A truck accident lawyer in Dallas can help. At Carabin Shaw, we believe in fighting for our clients until they get the justice they deserve. 18 wheeler accidents are complicated, so it’s important to work with an experienced attorney who knows the local and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations to properly navigate the complexities of your 18 wheeler accident case.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created rules and guidelines to keep 18 wheelers safe on U.S. roads. Below are the areas of trucking that the FMCSA regulates:

1. Commercial vehicle operation - Drivers must operate a vehicle safely. The FMCSA has laid out rules that prohibit the use of drugs and alcohol as well as require routine physical examinations to ensure safety on the road.
2. Driver qualifications - To operate a semi-truck in the U.S., drivers have to meet certain standards. They must have a valid commercial driver’s license, be 21 years old or more, and both understand and speak conversational English. To learn more, talk to a lawyer.
3. Insurance coverage - Because of the severe injuries 18 wheeler accidents are likely to cause, trucking companies are required to carry substantial liability insurance. To know what damages their insurance may cover, ask a truck accident lawyer in Dallas.
4. Vehicle maintenance and inspection - 18 wheelers are complex machines, and they require routine maintenance to remain safe on the road. The FMCSA holds trucking companies liable to maintaining all vehicles they put on highways.

Although the regulations by the FMCSA are in place to prevent accidents, they’re not always followed by truckers and trucking companies. Below are some of the most common FMCSA violations that occur, leading to accidents in Dallas Texas:

• Speeding
• Inaccurate driving logs
• Faulty brakes
• Driving beyond FMCSA limits
• Oil/gas leak
• Failure to wear a seat belt
• Insufficient tire tread depth

For Texas intrastate commerce (commerce that stays within Texas state lines), Texas hours of service rules apply rather than the FMCSA rules. The Texas trucking regulations truckers must abide by are as follows:

• Before beginning a shift, a driver must have at least 8 consecutive hours off duty
• A driver can be on shift for no more than 15 consecutive hours before needing 8 hours off duty
• Drivers can only remain on the road for up to 12 consecutive hours
• Over a 7-day period, drivers can only be on duty for up to 70 hours. Drivers must then take a break of at least 34 consecutive hours before they can begin another 7-day working period

If you’ve been involved in an 18 wheeler crash in Dallas, you need someone to fight for you. At Carabin Shaw, we know what it takes to beat big trucking companies when their negligence caused your accident. Trucking companies are represented by teams of attorneys, and it’s in your best interest to get a lawyer on your side who knows how to take them down.

Our team understands Texas trucking regulations and how they affect your case. If you need compensation after a Dallas truck accident injury, we can help you get the justice you deserve. Call today at 1-800-862-1260 for a free consultation with a member of our team.