Hours of Service Violations in Truck Accidents

 Posted on June 05,2024 in Truck Accidents

Like most jobs, driving a truck is something that you need to learn. Beyond simply learning how to drive, there are many rules and regulations that truck drivers need to follow. Part of the reason why there are so many requirements is that trucks can cause significant damage and injury if they are involved in a collision. They could even be responsible for a wrongful death following an accident.

Even if someone is a natural at properly maneuvering such a large vehicle, they still need to make sure they are following all the special regulations that are intended to prevent as many accidents as possible. For example, there is a whole category of regulations under the title of “hours of service” that is aimed at ensuring drivers do not drive for too many hours straight, thereby lowering the chances that they are too tired to drive safely. If you were injured in a truck accident and you think there may have been a violation of hours of service regulations, speak with an experienced Riverside County, CA truck accident attorney to understand your options.

Impact of Hours of Service Regulations 

When truck drivers need to pay attention to the number of hours they drive, there can be enormous benefits. Truck companies are naturally guided by their bottom lines. They want to make sure they are earning the most money as fast as possible. That is why they might be motivated to encourage drivers to take on more shifts and to keep driving for as many hours as they can. If cargo can get delivered to its destination faster, that job will be completed and paid for quicker. It means that a driver can do more deliveries.

However, this pressure to keep drivers on the road is not safe. While the drivers themselves may not want to keep driving, they may be intimidated by their employers into driving anyway. Having clear hours of service regulations in place and penalties for any violations can help drivers stand firm and insist on taking proper breaks. Since the cost of violating hours of service regulations would be added to the equation, it can make it seem far less beneficial to them to compel their drivers to stay on the road when they have driven for too many hours consecutively.

Of course, this need to ensure that drivers take breaks at regular intervals can benefit everyone else on the road as well. When a truck driver has been on the road for too long, they can begin to feel tired, bleary-eyed, and lose focus. The chances of a collision are far greater when the person behind the wheel is too tired to react promptly and drive safely.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Temecula, CA Truck Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a truck accident and you think that hours of service violations may have been involved, speak with a knowledgeable Riverside County, CA truck crash lawyer to understand your options. At Maineri Law Firm, we are passionate about making sure our clients get the compensation they deserve. Call us at 951-698-4200 to schedule a free consultation.