Trucking companies must follow strict rules to keep everyone safe. When they don’t, Christmas Injury Lawyers knows exactly how to prove it and make them pay for the harm they’ve caused you. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you’re already facing medical bills, lost income, and the stress of healing. You shouldn’t also have to battle trucking companies and their insurance carriers alone. Understanding the regulations that govern commercial trucks can make all the difference in your case.
Federal and State Trucking Regulations
The trucking industry operates under two main sets of rules: federal trucking regulations and state trucking regulations. These laws exist to ensure road safety and protect everyone who shares the highway with commercial motor vehicles.
- Federal Regulations: Overseen by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), these apply to interstate trucking—trucks that cross state lines.
- State Regulations: Each state, including South Carolina, has own regulations for intrastate operations—trucks that stay within state borders. State agencies enforce these laws to prevent accidents and ensure safe operation.
When a trucking company or commercial drivers ignore these rules, they put everyone at risk.
Federal Trucking Regulations and Safety Rules
At the federal level, FMCSA regulations cover nearly every aspect of trucking operations. Motor carriers, freight forwarders, and commercial truck drivers must comply with these safety regulations to avoid fines and prevent accidents. Some key rules include:
Hours of Service: Preventing Driver Fatigue
The hours of service rules limit driving time to prevent driver fatigue. For example, truckers may not drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They also must take rest periods during shifts. Over a seven day period or eight day period, drivers must not exceed maximum limits.
Violations can lead to dangerous truck accidents—and make companies responsible for resulting injuries.
Driver Qualifications and Alcohol/Drug Testing
To safely operate a commercial motor vehicle, drivers must hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and be medically qualified. Regulations also require:
- Alcohol Testing: Random and post-accident tests to catch impaired driving.
- Drug Testing: Pre-employment, random, and post-accident tests to keep unsafe drivers off the road.
If a company fails to follow these rules, it strengthens your claim when proving negligence.
State Trucking Regulations: South Carolina’s Own Rules
While most states adopt federal standards, South Carolina has state specific regulations for intrastate trucking. These include:
- Weight Limits: Ensuring commercial vehicles do not exceed safe load capacities.
- State Regulations on vehicle maintenance, safety inspections, and licensing.
- Oversight by state agencies to enforce compliance.
Failure to follow state regulations can be a major factor in your accident case.
Hazardous Materials and Special Requirements
Trucks carrying hazardous materials face stricter rules. Drivers need special endorsements on their commercial driver’s license CDL, and FMCSA regulates the transport of dangerous cargo. When these rules are violated, the risk of catastrophic accidents increases.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Ensuring Compliance
The FMCSA requires electronic logging devices to track driving time and duty status. These logs can reveal violations of hours of service rules. Our team knows how to analyze this data to prove when trucking companies have cut corners at the expense of your safety.
How Violations Impact Your Truck Accident Claim
When trucking regulations are ignored, it’s not just a technicality—it’s evidence of negligence. For example:
- A driver who skipped mandatory rest periods may have caused the crash due to fatigue.
- A company that failed to perform required alcohol testing may have allowed an impaired driver on the road.
- Improper maintenance that violates safety regulations can directly lead to a motor vehicle accident.
Christmas Injury Lawyers uses these violations to build a powerful case, holding companies and drivers accountable.
How We Prove Violations
- We gather ELD data, driver qualifications records, and alcohol/drug testing results.
- We investigate whether the truck was overloaded or not inspected as required by regulations established by the Department of Transportation DOT.
- We work with experts to show how these violations caused your accident and injuries.
FAQs About Trucking Regulations and Accident Claims
What happens if the trucking company is based in another state?
Interstate trucking is governed by FMCSA regulations, which apply regardless of where the company is headquartered. Our team ensures out-of-state companies are held to federal standards.
Can violations by freight forwarders affect my case?
Yes. Freight forwarders involved in managing shipments may share liability if their actions contributed to regulatory violations.
Are truck drivers always responsible when an accident happens?
Not always. Often, trucking companies are liable for pressuring drivers to break rules or failing to maintain their commercial trucks. We investigate every angle.
How do you access electronic logging device data?
We send legal requests to obtain ELD records directly from the carrier safety administration FMCSA and the company. This evidence is crucial in proving violations.
How does alcohol testing for motor vehicle accidents work under trucking regulations?
After a motor vehicle accident, commercial truck drivers must undergo alcohol testing under federal guidelines enforced by three agencies: the FMCSA, the Department of Transportation, and state authorities. Most other states follow similar rules. Failure to comply can result in serious penalties for both the driver and the trucking company, which can strengthen your injury claim.
Take Action Now
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t wait. Trucking companies and their insurers move fast to protect themselves—you deserve a team that moves faster. At Christmas Injury Lawyers, we know how to uncover violations, prove negligence, and fight for every dollar you deserve.
You’re not alone. Injury cases are all we do. Call Christmas Injury Lawyers today at (843) 380-4112 or click Contact Us on this page. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.
