Commercial trucks are a constant presence on Tennessee’s highways and are an important part of the state’s economy. While most trucking companies follow safety regulations, some push their drivers beyond legal limits to meet tight deadlines. When a fatigued driver causes a truck accident because they were on the road longer than federal law allows, the consequences can be devastating for victims.
Hours of service (HOS) regulations exist specifically to prevent these kinds of accidents. Learning about how they work and what happens when they’re violated can make a real difference if you’ve been injured in a preventable truck crash.
What Are Hours of Service Regulations?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules governing how long commercial truck drivers can operate before they must rest. These rules apply to most drivers of commercial motor vehicles across the country, including those traveling through Tennessee. Key hours of service provisions include:
- 14-hour on-duty window: After coming on duty, a driver has a 14-hour window in which to complete driving. Once that window closes, they cannot drive again until they’ve had time off.
- 11-hour driving cap: Within that 14-hour window, the driver may only spend up to 11 hours actually behind the wheel.
- Mandatory 30-minute break: A driver must take at least a 30-minute break after eight consecutive hours of driving.
- 60/70-hour weekly limits: Drivers cannot exceed 60 hours on duty over seven consecutive days, or 70 hours over eight days, depending on their carrier’s schedule.
These limits are not suggestions. They carry the full force of federal law, and violations can result in penalties for both the driver and the trucking company.
How HOS Violations Lead to Serious Truck Accidents
Fatigue has a measurable effect on a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Studies have consistently shown that drowsy driving impairs reaction time and situational awareness in ways that are comparable to alcohol impairment. A truck driver who has been behind the wheel for too many hours may engage in risky behavior without even being aware of it, such as drifting between lanes.
Since commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, a small lapse in attention at highway speeds can lead to catastrophic collisions. Victims in these crashes frequently suffer catastrophic injuries that they might not ever fully recover from. An experienced Nashville car crash lawyer can help secure compensation for your injuries in such a situation.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Tennessee for a Free Consultation
Were you injured in a truck accident that might have involved an hours of service violation? You may be entitled to substantial compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. However, the at-fault driver and the trucking company won’t make it easy for you to recover the full value of your claim.
Call Woodard Injury Law for a free consultation today at (615) 314-4626. We’ll work hard to maximize the value of your claim from the moment you decide to hire us. Our truck accident attorneys also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay us for our work if we win compensation for you.