Truck drivers take on the long hours of hauling products from one side of the country to the next. Anyone who has been on a road trip knows that driver fatigue is a very dangerous situation, especially when the hours are long. One way the federal government aims to reduce these risks is by implementing Hours of Services, a set of rules that minimize the risk that a driver will be on the road for too long.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets and maintains these rules. All licensed truck drivers and commercial bus drivers must abide by them. Hours of Service Violations will lead to costly losses, including fines. In some cases, a driver may also lose their commercial driver’s license. Talk to a Phoenix truck accident lawyer from Sargon Law Group today.
What Are Hours of Service Rules?
The Hours of Service rules under FMCSA are more complex than they may seem. Various rules exist based on the types of truck drivers, the length of the trip, and factors like whether they can sleep along the way. Some of the most important rules include:
- 11-hour window: Drivers cannot be on the road for more than 11 hours at one time. They can only be on the road for that length of time if they have had 10 consecutive hours off beforehand.
- 14-hour limit: Drivers may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. The off-duty time does not extend within the 14-hour period.
- 30-minute break: Drivers must take a full 30-minute break after driving 8 cumulative hours without such a break or interruption.
- 60/70-hour rule: Drivers may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive dates. The driver may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period only after having 34 hours off consecutively.
What Are the Results of Hours of Service Violations
When a truck driver does not adhere to these rules, it is possible that the truck driver and the trucking company they work for to be held accountable. That may mean a loss of their driver’s license, especially in consecutive claims. The truck company is responsible for maintaining a log of these Hours of Service and being able to verify that the driver is getting the type and level of support they need to take time off.
Fines and loss of license are not the only consequences of these actions. If an accident occurs and there are violations of Hours of Service rules, the truck driver and trucking company maintain responsibility for the losses they cause. That means that victims of truck accidents can file a claim against the at-fault party for all of the losses they incurred as a result of these losses.
Proving Hours of Service Violations
Your truck accident attorney can pursue legal action to obtain documentation of Hours of Service adherence if there is a valid reason to do so. Also, consider what you may have seen prior to the accident, such as the truck driver yawning or swerving on the roadway.
Schedule a Consultation with a Truck Accident Attorney
If you believe Hours of Service violations played a role in your truck accident, let our injury attorney in Phoenix help you find out. Contact Sargon Law Group now to request a free consultation to learn more about your rights in such situations.