Nashville truck drivers who operate commercial vehicles must follow federal regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules cover everything from hours of service limits, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements, driver qualification standards, and more. When these regulations aren’t followed, that failure can serve as important evidence of negligence in a Nashville truck accident claim.
Hours of Service Regulations
Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents across the country. To address this, the FMCSA imposes strict limits on how long a truck driver can be on the road before they must rest.
Per the current rules, drivers carrying property may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They are also not allowed to drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. In addition, drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight cumulative hours of driving.
There is also a weekly cap to keep in mind. Drivers cannot drive after accumulating 60 hours on duty over seven consecutive days, or 70 hours over eight days. Violating any of these limits puts other motorists at serious risk.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
The FMCSA requires commercial truck drivers to undergo drug and alcohol testing at multiple points during their employment. This includes pre-employment testing, random testing during the course of employment, post-accident testing, and testing based on reasonable suspicion.
Drivers who test positive could face immediate removal from all of their safety-sensitive duties. If a trucking company fails to enforce these testing requirements and a driver causes an accident while impaired, the company can potentially be held liable for that failure as well.
Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Requirements
Federal law requires trucking companies to keep their vehicles in safe working condition at all times. This includes routine maintenance in addition to prompt repairs when problems are found.
Drivers are also required to complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections and document any issues they discover. If a mechanical failure like a blown tire contributes to an accident, maintenance records and inspection logs can reveal whether the trucking company cut corners.
Driver Qualification Standards
Not just anyone can get behind the wheel of a commercial truck. The FMCSA sets minimum standards that drivers must meet, including holding a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL), passing a medical exam, and meeting minimum age requirements. Trucking companies are required to maintain driver qualification files that document each driver’s credentials, including their driving history.
If a company hires a driver who doesn’t meet these standards and that driver causes a crash, it may be liable for negligent hiring.
Schedule a Free Case Review With a Nashville Truck Accident Attorney
Were you involved in a truck accident involving a violation of federal rules? You may be entitled to significant compensation. Call Woodard Injury Law today at (615) 314-4626 to schedule a free consultation. Our truck accident lawyers will do everything in our power to help you recover as much money as possible under the law.