Commercial trucks are usually larger compared to the regular personal vehicles. Thus, when they get involved in road accidents, the resulting physical injuries and damage on properly can be catastrophic. If you or your loved one has been involved in such an accident, you need to get conversant with the laws that regulate truck accidents and the trucking industry in general for you to appreciate the importance of having a Houston truck accident lawyer by your side.
The State and Federal Laws regulate the trucking industry. The Laws establish the guidelines and the standards that truck drivers and trucking companies must observe. Below is a rundown of some common regulations in the trucking industry.
COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE
Commercial truck drivers are required to follow the case law and state statutes on truck drivers licensing. Case law and state statutes are must be followed by commercial truck drivers. If the truck driver of the vehicle you crashed with wasn’t properly licensed, this will have a significant impact on the legal case you are building against them and their employer. In such a case, a truck accident lawyer can help you to assess the driver’s license validity and know how to capitalize on it is it is invalid.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT PERMITTED
There are laws that regulate the weight of the load that a truck should carry depending on the size of the truck. For instance, the maximum weight that a two-axle truck should carry is 34,000 pounds. While a single axle truck should not exceed 20,000 pounds. If you suspect that the truck was overloaded at the time of the accident, ask your attorney to investigate. Then, bring the issue to the attention of the court.
REST OF THE DRIVER
The amount of time that a truck driver can drive before taking a break and resting is also regulated. For instance, the 14-hours duty rule requires that a driver can only be on duty for 14 hours in a day. However, during the 14 hours, they can just drive for 11 hours, during which they must take at least a 30-minutes break after eight hours drive.
QUALITY CONTROL OF TRUCKS
Commercial vehicles are also regulated when it comes to manufacturing and repairs to ensure quality control of the vehicles themselves. For instance, there are federal laws that regulate air brake systems. If the accident resulted from a defective component of a truck, then there will be legal consequences. Regardless if it is on the part of the manufacturer or the repairer of the truck. You can file a claim against them.
THE TAKEAWAY
Overall, it is apparent there are many laws that regulate truck drivers and the trucking industry in general. In case of a truck accident, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. They understand where to start and how to move on insofar as fighting for your rights is concerned. If you have any questions about the laws that regulate the trucking industry, feel free to engage us in the comment section below.
