Canoga Park Truck Accident Attorney

The operation of semi-trucks comes with federal and state regulations meant to limit any risks that might occur on the road due to driver error. An accident with a semi-truck can result in a significant amount of damage to both people and property — much more so than an accident involving only cars or smaller vehicles. These regulations are designed to keep fellow drivers safe, while also protecting truck drivers from overworking or making critical and fatal mistakes. Here are the most important trucking regulations you might be curious about.

Hours of Service

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is responsible for making most federal trucking regulations. These include the number of hours a truck driver can legally drive without stopping for a minimum amount of rest. Driver fatigue is a serious concern that could cause an accident in a split-second. Regulations mandate that a trucker can only drive for 11 hours after 10 uninterrupted hours off-duty. A driver must take a rest break of at least 30 minutes for every eight hours driven. If a trucker drives 60 to 70 hours in a seven- or eight-day time frame, he or she must take at least 34 consecutive hours off before starting a new seven or eight-day set.

Drug Testing

Being intoxicated while driving a private vehicle comes with plenty of restrictions due to potentially dire consequences, and it’s even more restrictive for those who drive for a living. Truck drivers must go through tests before hiring, if they are suspected of being intoxicated, after an accident, and at random. These tests detect many drugs, including alcohol, cocaine, and opiates. Knowing that a truck driver’s sobriety is taken seriously and addressed immediately if a problem is spotted can leave everyone feeling a little safer on the road.

Cargo Loading

Truck drivers haul all kinds of things across the country, from food and beer to clothes and construction equipment. While some of these products can be safely tucked away, others need to be properly secured to ensure nothing comes loose and causes an accident. Regulations dictate how cargo must be tied down and the up-to-date, approved gear with which to do so. It may also be required for a truck to have certain markings warning other drivers of its contents, such as a HAZMAT sign.

If you have been in an accident with a semi-truck and you aren’t sure who is at fault, contact a Canoga Park truck accident attorney to have your case reviewed. He or she may find that the truck driver was negligent by failing to abide by these regulations, and you may be eligible for substantial compensation for your losses.

Call Barry P. Goldberg for their insight into personal injuries and regulations for truck drivers.