Hours of Service Violations Impact on Truck Accident Claims

 Posted on May 17, 2024 in Truck Accidents

Being a commercial truck driver is a tough job. You need to safely handle an enormous vehicle on sometimes unsafe roads. Because trucks are so powerful, mistakes by the driver can have dire consequences. That is why certain state and federal regulations dictate various aspects of truck driving.

One example of a traffic rule that applies to truck drivers and not regular car drivers refers to the driver’s hours of service. Essentially, it places a time limit on how long a driver is legally permitted to drive consecutively without taking a break. The reason for this rule is to ensure that people who drive trucks are awake and aware enough to handle them safely so they can avoid getting into accidents. This article will offer some background information about these rules. If you think an hours of service violation was involved in your truck accident, speak with a skilled Orland Park, IL personal injury lawyer to find out how to proceed.

Two Benefits of Hours of Service Regulations

With clear regulations telling drivers how often they are legally required to take driving breaks, it should be easier for truck drivers to avoid fatigued driving and instead drive responsibly. Unfortunately, their employers sometimes have other ideas. When drivers and their employers are aware of the consequences they might pay if the driver is caught violating the hours of service regulations, it adds some extra incentive to ensure everyone is driving safely.

When drivers strictly follow hours of service regulations, everyone can benefit in the following two ways:

• Drivers are motivated to monitor how long they drive. This makes it less likely for them to simply lose track of time and accidentally drive for much longer than they are supposed to.
• The employers are motivated not to exploit the drivers. Truck companies might want to push drivers into working for extremely long shirts so that cargo can get where it is needed much faster. However, the threat of fines and other punishments is a good deterrent and can foster a safer environment for everyone on the road.

Contact an Illinois Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact a qualified Orland Park, IL personal injury lawyer. If an hours of service violation was involved, that might increase the compensation you can get for the damages you suffered. When you work with Issa Law, LLC, you are working with a lawyer who makes sure every client understands their legal options so we can build a plan to protect their rights and interests. Call 708-966-2408 so we can get started.