TRUCK DRIVER FAQ
How Many Hours Can Truck Drivers Work?
Tired truck driving is one of the leading causes of truck accidents nationwide. Therefore, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established hours-of-service regulations for driving 18-wheelers. These rules restrict the number of hours a commercial truck driver can be on the road. They also require truckers and trucking companies to keep detailed records for review.
Under the current regulations, a commercial truck driver can be on the road for:
· No more than 11 hours of daily driving with a 14-hour workday cap;
· No more than a minimum average of 70 hours a workweek; and
· If the weekly limit is reached, they may continue driving after 34 hours of consecutive rest.
Truckers are also required to take a 30-minute break within the first 8 hours of their shift. These regulations were formulated by scientific testing, and it is in a commercial truck driver’s best interest to adhere to the rules to avoid serious accidents.
Who is Required to Comply with the Regulations?
Most commercial truck drivers are required to comply with the hours-of-service regulations.
Generally, these federal HOS regulations apply to truck drivers operating large trucks that:
· Weigh more than 10,000 pounds;
· Have a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 10,000 pounds; or
· Transport materials requiring placards.
Truckers are required by law to keep a log for recording their hours. Any person subject to these regulations must complete this log every day of driving. Unfortunately, logbooks can be fabricated, falsified, or altered by truckers who violate the rules, making it difficult to keep track of the rest drivers get. Far too many trucking accidents have been revealed to be caused by a driver who was simply on the road far too long. In instances like this, the trucker, and even the trucking company, can be held liable if it is proven the company encouraged the driver to violate the hours-of-service regulations.
Las Vegas 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys
Let Our Las Vegas Accident Lawyers Help You Understand Your Rights
Statistically, commercial vehicles cause a lot of accidents every single year. In fact, 12% of traffic-related deaths and 4% of traffic-related injuries involve an 18-wheeler or a tractor-trailer. Because of their sheer size, when a semi is involved in an accident, it usually puts other people in danger and causes significantly more damage than other passenger vehicle-related accidents.
Whatever the cause, the damage of a truck accident will not be minor.
You may be left with a lot of questions after an accident. Every question you are likely to have is complicated and will differ from case to case. It is best to seek the help of a legal professional in these situations because they are familiar with commercial trucking regulations and dealing with trucking companies.
If you would like immediate answers, we encourage you to browse through our website. Select your question and click for an answer!
Our Las Vegas 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Can Assist You
At Cohan PLLC, we have experienced accident attorneys who will know how to answer any questions you may have. Our attorneys deal with cases not only in Las Vegas, but nationwide, and will be able to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Accidents involving commercial drivers are serious and should be dealt with seriously. If you are still wondering whether or not you should file a claim, it would be best to seek the help of one of our attorneys. We will evaluate your accident and guide you through the necessary steps you should take.
Whether you're a commercial driver or a person who was hit by an 18-wheeler, we're standing by to help. Our team has recovered significant settlements for people wronged by negligent behavior. Call (888) 424-2736 to discover your options at no cost.