How Attorneys Prove Violation of Federal Trucking Laws

Truck driving is a serious business, and there are plenty of laws and regulations in place to protect those in the industry and those of us who are affected by it. 

If you or a loved one is a truck accident victim, you need to be fully prepared to file a claim for any damages and injuries. the Houston big rig crash lawyers can help you understand if any laws were broken and how you can best get compensated by it.

Understanding Federal Trucking Laws in Houston

Established in 1999, officers in the Truck Enforcement Unit are certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) to conduct thorough vehicle safety inspections in case of a truck wreck. Big rigs, 18-wheelers, and all commercial trucks are required to comply with a nationwide standard of vehicle care and operation. 

Some common trucking regulations include:

• Monitoring of truck driver fatigue
• Zero tolerance on driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
• Maintenance of vehicles
• Ensuring each driver takes required rest breaks and monitoring their hours of service
• Maintaining caution when carrying hazardous materials
• Training and background checks of drivers
• Inspection of vehicle parts and accessories
• Checking of all driver’s licenses and commercial licenses

If a truck accident was caused due to negligence in any of the above areas of federal law and others, your attorney can fight for a fair settlement in your defense. 

Local Houston Big Rig Accident Lawyer Near You

Ways to Prove Violations in a Truck Accident

A specialist attorney with experience in trucking laws can conduct a series of investigations to prove your case in a truck crash. These include:

Sifting through maintenance records: If the vehicle was poorly maintained, they have violated a law and could be the cause of your accident.

Ask for immediate drug and alcohol tests to be done: A truck accident can be caused if the driver was operating an 18-wheeler, big rig, or other large commercial truck under the influence. Nearly 80% of truck accidents are caused because a driver was inattentive just 3 seconds before the crash, so looking at the driver’s ability to pay attention is key to your case.

Evaluating the truck’s load: If the vehicle was loaded with overweight cargo, not secured properly, or became unbalanced while on-route due to negligence, it can lead to a truck accident.

Looking at the driver’s logbook: Truck drivers need to maintain a record of the number of hours they drive at a stretch and prove that they take the recommended rest breaks during their shift. Wrecks can be caused by driver fatigue and the NSF has issued warnings about drowsy driving reaching harmful proportions this year.

Call an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers in Houston

The first thing you need to do if you are involved in a truck accident is to contact the best auto injury lawyer in Houston for guidance. As your professional legal advisor, we need to get to the scene while all the evidence is still intact, so we can best analyze how any federal laws were violated. We strive to uncover all the details of a truck crash to find out what really happened, so we are confidently and thoroughly equipped with resources to fight for the compensation you deserve.