Federal Trucking Regulations in Grapevine

The commercial trucking industry in Grapevine is subject to both state and federal law. Strict state and federal guidelines govern the actions of truck drivers and their employers. If you were hurt in a trucking accident, it is best to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Federal rules can be challenging to interpret. It is essential to work with experienced legal professionals in your area who can help you understand and work through all of the nuances in the Federal Trucking Regulations in Grapevine. Reach out to a local truck accident lawyer to see if they can help you recover damages to compensate you for injuries.

What Federal Agencies Govern the Trucking Industry?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the commercial trucking industry through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA sets forth regulations for truck drivers and trucking companies. Grapevine attorneys are familiar with all of the technical aspects of these rules and could help accident victims understand these rules and how they might apply to their case.

What Are Some Examples of Federal Trucking Rules?

There are many FMCSA trucking regulations that might be relevant after a trucking accident. It is best to speak to a knowledgeable truck crash attorney to learn about the federal trucking regulations in Grapevine.

Adequate Insurance

Since trucks are so large, truck accidents can cause immense property damage and severe personal injuries and fatalities, so trucking companies need to maintain sufficient insurance coverage to cover their potential losses. Insurance minimums required under the FMCSA also vary according to the amount and type of cargo. For example, a trucking company that routinely transports hazardous waste materials would need higher insurance coverage.

Trucker Requirements

The FMCSA sets forth specific regulations for commercial truck drivers, some of which are that all truckers are required to have a commercial driver’s license and be over 21.

Limits On The Number Of Driving Hours

The FMCSA requires drivers to keep a regular, written log of their driving hours. To prevent accidents that occur due to driver fatigue, drivers must adhere to strict driving time limits.

Overall Safety Of The Truck

The FMCA reviews the safety of trucks to see if they are safe enough to travel on public roads. If the agency finds any problems, they notify the truck drivers and truck companies, who are then obligated to fix them.

Inspections

The FMCSA requires trucking companies to inspect their vehicles routinely and to fix any worn out parts. Local personal injury lawyers understand all of these regulations and know how they might apply to a particular trucking accident.

Reach Out to an Attorney To Learn About Federal Trucking Regulations in Grapevine

A Grapevine truck accident attorney could help by analyzing all of the evidence from the crash scene. They could interview eyewitnesses, review the police report, collect evidence, review the driver’s log to see if they exceeded the required number of driving hours, as well as check to see if the driver had any driving violations of which the trucking company was aware or reasonably should have been aware. A local attorney could also examine the truck’s maintenance and inspection records to see if the truck was up to date on required maintenance and repairs

Local attorneys have the skills to look at all of the evidence from a crash scene and expertly determine if the truck driver, the trucking company, or any other involved party failed to comply with all necessary FMCSA trucking regulations. It is important to work with a local truck accident attorney that understands all of the complexities of the Federal Trucking Regulations in Grapevine. Call today to get started on your case.