Commercial Vehicle Rules Violations

Truck drivers and the companies who employ them must follow strict federal and state rules that protect the public from the serious consequences of trucking accidents. When these parties put their own interests ahead of the safety of others by cutting corners, ignoring routine maintenance, or violating duty hours, they must be held accountable.

At the law office of Butler Prather LLP, we believe no one should have to pay the price for someone else’s mistakes. Our track record of success shows that we’re committed to helping every victim of a trucking accident achieve the best result possible.

A common cause of trucking accidents are commercial vehicle rules violations. In our years of practice, we’ve become adept at recognizing these violations and the role they play in accidents involving commercial vehicles

Federal and State Regulations Hold Trucking Companies Accountable

Trucking companies and the drivers they employ must follow the rules for interstate travel set forth by the FMCSA. Georgia has its own regulations for intrastate travel, which essentially mirror those set by the FMCSA. These rules are designed to set clear expectations for the trucking industry to keep the general public safe from harm.

The rules themselves are detailed and would be impossible to summarize in just one page. In our years of practice, however, we find that many trucking accidents arising from commercial vehicle violations involve one of the following:

• Issues with training and supervision. Trucking companies are required by law to investigate each potential employee by conducting background checks, performing drug tests, and supervising his or her driving throughout the course of employment. The companies must also train drivers in regulations and the rules of the road. If a trucking company fails to adequately train or supervise a negligent employee and he or she causes an accident, the company may be liable for injuries.
• Maintenance noncompliance. Federal and Georgia statutes set detailed standards for how commercial vehicles must be maintained. For example, a driver must complete a series of checks each day to ensure the vehicle and equipment are in working order before hitting the road. Failing to complete these checks, or to complete routine maintenance, may constitute negligence if it leads to a crash.
• Hours of service. Due to the monotonous nature of truck driving, commercial vehicle operators are only allowed to be on the road for certain periods of time each day. They’re also required to get a certain amount of sleep each night and take adequate breaks. Fatigued drivers cause accidents, so lack of adherence to these rules can be dangerous to the driver and others on the road.
• Logbooks. Drivers must detail their hours of service, inspection information, and other relevant information. Falsifying information in these logbooks is a criminal offense, and failing to use a logbook is an inspection violation. In fact, data from the FMCSA states that the number one reason for a failed roadside inspection is a driver failing to keep logbooks up to date.

Your Hometown Trucking Accident Attorney

Our team of attorneys is experienced in collecting and preserving evidence related to trucking incidents. If your trucking accident was the result of a commercial vehicle violation, we may be able to collect not only full compensation for your injuries, but punitive damages as well.

Truckers and the companies who employ them must exercise care when it comes to the operation and maintenance of their vehicles. If you sustained a serious or debilitating injury in an accident with a tractor trailer or other commercial vehicle, contact our Atlanta truck accident attorneys for a free initial consultation. Let us investigate your accident and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.