The trucking industry is subject to strict regulations that govern every area of its operations. Trucking companies and drivers in Louisiana must follow both state and federal rules designed to protect everyone on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has established trucking regulations that companies and their drivers must follow to protect other road users from harmful accidents. These regulations are part of a broader set of federal laws that impose specific safety and operational requirements on commercial truck drivers.
What Federal Trucking Regulations Apply to Louisiana Truck Accidents
Louisiana truck accident claims often hinge on whether the driver and their employer followed federal trucking regulations. Louisiana law governs general traffic rules and negligence standards, but the federal trucking rules established by the FMCSA override state law regarding safety and operational requirements for commercial vehicles. These regulations apply to trucks engaged in interstate commerce, including those that travel through or operate within Louisiana. They govern such aspects of the trucking industry as:
- Driver qualifications
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection
- Pre-trip inspections
- Cargo securement
- Hours-of-service limits
- Driver logs and recordkeeping
- Insurance coverage minimums
- Weight and size restrictions
Understanding these key federal rules is often key to securing fair compensation in a truck accident claim.
Common Louisiana Trucking Violations That Can Strengthen an Accident Claim
A commercial truck driver’s or their employer’s federal or Louisiana trucking violations can be strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury case. A commercial driver’s compliance with federal and state regulations is critical in determining fault, as violations can directly impact liability for any party involved in the accident. Many of the most serious trucking accidents involve preventable violations that compromise vehicle safety or driver performance. Some common violations that may cause or contribute to accidents include:
- Exceeding federal hours-of-service limits
- Failing to inspect or maintain brakes, steering systems, and tires
- Overloading or improperly securing cargo
- Operating without the required qualifications or a valid CDL
- Skipping required drug and alcohol testing
- Falsifying driver logbooks or inspection records
- Negligent hiring, such as when a trucking company hires drivers with poor safety records or inadequate qualifications
Establishing negligence in these cases often requires a thorough investigation of driver logs, maintenance records, and other evidence. Company representatives may be required to provide or preserve evidence during legal proceedings to uncover potential safety violations or negligence. Acting quickly after a truck accident helps preserve evidence, ensuring that important documents and physical evidence are secured before they can be lost or destroyed. Identifying the role of each party involved is essential for allocating fault and determining compensation.
How Hours-of-Service Regulations Affect Truck Accident Liability
Federal hours-of-service regulations limit how long commercial drivers can operate without rest. The FMCSA put these rules in place to reduce fatigue-related crashes by requiring rest breaks, establishing daily driving limits, and mandating off-duty periods. When a truck driver exceeds these limits and causes an accident, it can point to liability, even if they seemed alert at the time. Violations of hours-of-service rules often show a pattern of negligence that can strengthen an injured person’s compensation claim.
How Lafayette Truck Accident Lawyers Use Federal Regulations to Support Injury Claims
Truck accident attorneys pay close attention to federal regulations when preparing claims for injured victims. These rules create clear safety standards that can serve as evidence of negligence when they’re violated. Lawyers may use logbook discrepancies, inspection failures, or driver qualification issues to show that the trucking company or driver ignored required safety practices and establish fault. This evidence can bolster a personal injury claim and improve the likelihood of securing a favorable settlement or verdict.
The hardworking Lafayette truck accident lawyers at The Thibeaux Firm understand how federal trucking regulations affect your Louisiana truck accident case. To that end, we’ll thoroughly review the facts and look for violations of FMCSA regulations that we can cite in your truck accident claim. Contact our law office today to get started with a free consultation, and pay our flat fee of 25 percent only if we recover compensation for you.
