The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration creates and enforces regulations designed to keep commercial trucks safe on our highways. These rules cover everything from how long drivers can work to how companies must maintain their vehicles. When trucking companies or drivers ignore these standards, the results can be devastating.
Hours Of Service Violations
Driver fatigue causes thousands of truck accidents each year. Federal law limits how long truck drivers can operate without rest, but companies sometimes pressure drivers to exceed these limits to meet tight deadlines.
The regulations allow drivers to work 11 hours maximum after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They also can’t drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Some drivers falsify their electronic logging device records to hide violations. Others simply push through exhaustion because they’re paid by the mile, not by the hour. A tired driver has slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and may even fall asleep at the wheel. At The Layton Law Firm, we’ve represented families who lost loved ones because a driver had been on the road for 16 straight hours.
Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance
Trucking companies must inspect and maintain their vehicles according to strict federal standards. Brakes, tires, steering systems, and lights all require regular attention. But maintenance costs money and takes trucks out of service, so some companies cut corners.
Common maintenance violations include:
- Worn brake pads or faulty brake systems
- Bald or underinflated tires
- Broken lights or turn signals
- Defective coupling devices connecting trailers
- Steering mechanism problems
A truck with failing brakes can’t stop in time to avoid a collision. A tire blowout at highway speed can cause the driver to lose control. These aren’t minor issues. They’re dangerous violations that put everyone on the road at risk.
Overweight And Improperly Loaded Cargo
Federal regulations cap truck weight at 80,000 pounds for interstate travel. States can set their own limits, but the principle remains the same. Overloaded trucks are harder to control, take longer to stop, and put excessive stress on braking systems. Improper cargo loading creates different problems. When weight isn’t distributed correctly, trucks become unstable. They’re more likely to roll over during turns or lane changes. Unsecured cargo can shift during transport, causing the driver to lose control suddenly.
Drug And Alcohol Testing Failures
Commercial drivers must pass random drug and alcohol tests. They’re also tested after accidents and when supervisors have a reasonable suspicion of impairment. The testing requirements exist because impaired driving by a commercial trucker is exponentially more dangerous than impaired driving in a passenger car. Some companies fail to conduct required tests. Others don’t properly screen new drivers. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, thousands of drivers are removed from service each year for positive drug tests.
Driver Qualification Violations
Not everyone should operate an 18-wheeler. Federal law requires commercial drivers to hold a valid commercial driver’s license, pass medical examinations, and meet specific training standards. Companies must verify these qualifications before hiring. Some trucking companies hire drivers with suspended licenses, serious traffic violations, or insufficient training. They skip background checks or ignore red flags in driving records. When an unqualified driver causes an accident, the company shares responsibility for putting that person behind the wheel.
Speeding And Reckless Driving
Speed limiters are required on many commercial trucks, but not all companies use them properly. Drivers sometimes disable these devices or simply ignore posted speed limits. A Charlotte truck accident lawyer can investigate whether speeding contributed to your collision. Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield also violate federal safety regulations. These actions become even more dangerous when the vehicle weighs 40 tons.
When someone gets hurt in a truck accident, we investigate which regulations were violated and who’s responsible. This often means obtaining maintenance records, driver logs, black box data, and company policies. We know how to gather this evidence before it disappears. If you’ve been injured in a collision involving a commercial truck, don’t wait to get legal guidance. Contact A Charlotte truck accident lawyer today.