Each month, thousands of big rigs roll across Ohio roadways, carrying everything from medical supplies and salsa to building materials and tennis shoes, regardless of weather and road conditions. In the rush to deliver goods accidents frequently happen. A negligent driver or trucking company may be liable for your crash. We often represent clients injured in an auto accident with a big rig.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, its mission focuses on reducing injuries, fatalities and crashes involving buses and large trucks. It regulates the trucking industry and partners with state and local governments as well as safety advocates to keep the roadways safer for you and your loved ones.
Hours of service
Before the FMCSA, trucking companies could pressure drivers to work long hours without taking breaks or sleeping. This behavior resulted in poor decision-making and drivers falling asleep at the wheel. Today’s rules include required breaks after a certain number of overall as well as consecutive hours driven. For example, a driver can drive for 11 hours after taking a break for ten straight hours. The 60/70 rule states that if the driver has just spent 60/70 hours behind the wheel in a seven or eight-day period, they must take at least 34 hours off.
Violating the Regulations
One of the first things officials look at during a semi-truck accident investigation is the logbook. It indicates whether the driver took breaks from driving as required. An on-board electronic device also monitors the trucker’s driving habits. Both types of data can help determine if the driver or company is responsible for the accident. If your accident resulted in fatalities or catastrophic injuries, damages recovered could include lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering.
