Federal Law Limits The Number Of Hours A Driver Can Operate A Truck

Have you been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck? If so, the reason for the accident could be driver fatigue. Federal law limits the number of hours a driver can operate a commercial truck; however, this limit is ignored by truck drivers and trucking companies.

Each day throughout California, these large trucks move goods in and out of the state creating an enormous industry with billions of dollars in revenue. Unfortunately, accidents involving commercial trucks cause traumatic injuries for the drivers and passengers of other vehicles. When someone is injured in a trucking accident, the victim needs expert medical care and the support of a compassionate, experienced truck-accidents attorney as he or she struggles to deal with the consequences of the accident.

The owner and lead counsel of The Levinson Law Group, Gordon Levinson, previously represented some of the largest insurance companies in the United States. Now, he uses his insider knowledge to stand up for victims and families in Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Diego, and throughout California. We accept cases on a contingent fee. That means that if there is no recovery in your case you pay no fee. And in most cases, we even advance the costs. For your free consultation, call (760) 642-5475 today.

Truck Driver Fatigue Causes Horrific Accidents

The trucking industry is heavily regulated by federal and state laws. Federal laws limit the number of hours a commercial truck driver can work for a very good reason. Tired drivers are a danger to everyone on the road. Last year, a Wal-Mart truck driver collided with the limousine carrying comedian Tracy Morgan and several others on June 7, 2014. Even though federal law limits the number of hours a truck driver can operate the truck without sleep, the Wal-Mart driver allegedly had not slept in over 24 hours when the accident occurred.

The truck accident resulted in the death of one person and serious injuries for the other passengers. Morgan suffered a traumatic brain injury. He is still struggling to recover from his injuries over a year later. Because trucking accidents due to driver fatigue can cause horrific injuries to innocent drivers on the road, federal law limits the number of hours a driver can operate the truck in order to reduce the risk of trucking accidents due to driver fatigue.

What Are The Federal Law Limits For Driving A Commercial Truck?

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a commercial truck driver has an 11- hour driving limit after being off-duty for 10 consecutive hours. Those 11 hours must be driven within 14 hours after coming on-duty. The FMCSA also has rules regarding rest breaks and sleeper berth periods. A driver’s workweek is limited to 70 hours of driving time. If the driver exceeds his weekly driving limits, he must rest for 34 consecutive hours, including two nights of sleep, before beginning his workweek again.

Truck drivers owe a duty of care to other individuals using our roadways. When a truck driver exceeds the number of hours the driver can operate the truck without rest or sleep, the truck driver’s negligence can result in the death or serious injury of another person. When this occurs, the victim and the victim’s family deserve justice.

Our experienced trucking accident lawyers understand federal and state laws regulating the trucking industry. We use that knowledge to fight for the rights of victims to receive compensation for the financial, physical, and emotional injuries sustained by no fault of their own.