Truck Accident Lawyer

Any motor vehicle accident can be devastating. When it comes to big rigs, however, the result is sometimes catastrophic. If you were recently in a trucking accident, you may be wondering if there were any laws that were supposed to protect you. There are federal guidelines for truckers to follow. These rules are designed to not only keep truckers safe but to keep everyone on the road safe.

Can Truckers Drive in Unsafe Conditions?

Some conditions are unsafe for truckers to drive through. While most big rigs have proper training to handle a variety of weather patterns, what happens if there is snow or fog? In most cases, the trucker would be able to extend his or her drive time by two hours so that he or she can commute safely. However, the trucker still cannot be on duty for more than 14 hours. If the driver cannot safely pull over, then he or she can continue the drive for up to two more hours. Now, this does not mean that the driver is supposed to work longer during bad weather. If a driver is able to stop, then he or she has to stop.

Do Truckers Monitor Hours?

The federal government provides regulations on a trucker’s service hours. Truckers can only drive 11 hours at a time with 10 hours of off duty. After eight hours of driving, a trucker then has to take a 30 minute break. In total, the trucker can be on duty for 14 hours in a row, which includes all breaks, meals, and fuel stops.

Without regular stops, a driver may become fatigued. He or she may find it more difficult to focus on the road. Trucking companies will sometimes attempt to push truckers to their limits in order to make a delivery on time or to be as quick as possible. To push truckers too hard results in fatigued drivers that may make fatal errors on the road. Drivers are supposed to log their drive times throughout the week to ensure that they are not breaking the guidelines.

To be in a trucking accident can be potentially devastating. Trucks are supposed to take extra care because of the additional risk. Big rigs can cause a lot of damage to passenger vehicles. If you were in a trucking accident, you may want to speak with a truck accident lawyer, like a truck accident lawyer in San Francisco, CA, and set up a consultation as soon as possible.

Thanks to The Morales Law Firm for their insight into the federal laws that are in place with the intention of preventing truck accidents.