How Truck Driver Violations Pose A Threat To Houston Drivers

Federal law governs how long truck drivers are permitted to drive without stopping to rest and how many hours they can log in a seven-day period. That’s because one of the largest contributing factors in truck accidents is driver fatigue. If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, your Houston, Texas, truck accident attorney should review the truck log.

The law requires that truck drivers keep a logbook detailing when they stop and for how long to ensure compliance with the federal laws around truck driving. Here are the laws of how long truck drivers are permitted to drive and what breaks they must take.

• After a 10-hour break, truck drivers can drive as long as 11 hours consecutively and can only be on duty for a maximum of 14 hours in a row
• Drivers may only log 60 hours in a seven-day period or 70 hours in an eight-day period. Once a driver reaches these maximums, they must take at least 34 hours off.
• A driver can go no more than eight hours after taking a 30-minute break or sleeper berth.

But what happens when a driver violates these laws and collides with another vehicle, causing harm? The victim has the right to seek financial damages from the trucking company.

Proving Truck Driver Fatigue In A Houston, TX Court

Evidence for truck driver accidents is generally pretty plentiful because their work is regulated. There are several places your Houston, Texas, truck driver accident attorney will look in the course of building your case.

• GPS: trucks are equipped with GPS to ensure the driver follows the rules and does not run off with the load. This data can be useful in showing how long a driver actually spent at the wheel.
• Logbook: a truck driver’s logbook can be used for evidence during legal proceedings. Incomplete logbooks or a logbook that shows the driver broke the law will be important in your case.
• A truck’s log information: some trucks are equipped with automatic logging abilities. This can help you prove whether or not the driver’s logbook is accurate or not.
• Inspections: trucking companies make a record of the truck’s condition and other details before it starts a new route and when it finishes that route.
• Additional documentation: your attorney can bring in other documents to your case. These might include receipts or other timestamped proof of the driver’s history.

Your personal injury attorney skilled in truck driving accidents will evaluate other information including road conditions, traffic, etc. You do not want to try and sue a trucking company on your own. The company’s lawyers have experience in dealing with situations just like yours and will know how to defeat you.

Hiring an attorney gives you the best chance for succeeding in your lawsuit. The Law Office of Roy Boujaoude is your resource for personal injury related to truck accidents. Roy brings his experience dealing with other truck accidents to ensure you get the settlement you need to pay the bills from your accident. Contact us for a free case evaluation.