All motor vehicles must abide by the traffic laws of the state in which they are driving. In addition to basic traffic laws, large commercial trucks have another set of laws and regulations with which they must comply. Trucks have more stringent laws because commercial trucks may cause devastating injuries if they are involved in an accident. To try to avoid severe accidents and injuries to other motorists, the federal agency that regulates commercial trucks enforces the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). These regulations cover driving plus many other aspects of the trucking industry to ensure companies and drivers are operating in a safe manner. If a truck company or driver violates the FMCSRs and causes you injury, a Gwinnett County truck accident attorney can help you hold them liable for their actions.
The FMCSRs cover the following areas of the trucking industry:
- Truck driver qualifications
- Truck driver commercial license requirements
- Rules regarding the number of hours a driver may driver in one day or week (hours of service)
- Requirements for regular truck inspections and maintenance
- Truck accessories required for safety (additional lights, reflectors, safety features, etc.)
- Insurance requirements
- Random drug and alcohol testing for drivers
- Preservation of log books and other records
- Transport of hazardous materials
These are only a few of the categories that the complicated FMCSRs cover. People in the trucking industry must familiarize themselves with these regulations, as claiming they did not know of a certain regulation does not negate a violation of the regulations. The regulations also apply to more than drivers. People who must follow the FMCSRs includes:
- Drivers
- Employees with hiring power
- Training managers
- Supervisors and other managers
- Other truck company employees
If any of these parties has violated the FMCSRs and caused an accident, you deserve to be fully compensated for any injuries or losses you suffered. Call Shane Smith Law today at (980) 246-2656 and a dedicated truck accident lawyer will be here to help you.