Commercial Truck Accident Laws and Regulations You Should be Aware of

 Posted on May 19, 2023 in Blog Post

In Illinois, truck accidents involving large commercial trucks and 18-wheelers can cause devastating accidents. Occupants of smaller vehicles in their path stand little to no chance of survival. The difference in size means that they face serious injuries or fatalities. Knowing your legal options is vital if you are involved in an accident with these behemoths.

Tractor Trailer Laws and Regulations in Illinois 

As per Illinois law, all tractor-trailers must follow strict state and federal regulations to protect the public. Failure to follow these is considered illegal and immoral since violations place other motorists at risk of serious injuries.

For example, all tractor-trailer drivers must log a specific number of hours of sleep each day on the road. Since this law affects transport times, most companies and drivers don't follow it to make timely shipments. This information is critical for anyone who wishes to file a lawsuit against a trucking company for negligence.

Similar violations can include:

• Drug and alcohol use behind the wheel – Commercial truck drivers are held to a higher standard than other motorists regarding drug and alcohol use. 

• Accidents that happened because of an overloaded tractor-trailer – There are strict weight limitations for commercial vehicles that have to be driven on the interstate highway. An accident can happen if the load is too much or distributed improperly. 

• Poor or negligent maintenance – Truck equipment failure is imminent if trucks aren’t maintained regularly. 

• Service hour violations – Truck driver fatigue and errors are imminent if drivers violate their service hours. Working more hours is prohibited by law. 

Hours and Service Regulations for Truck Drivers

Since trucks can cause devastating damages in case of an accident, their drivers have to follow additional rules compared to other motorists. This includes hours of service regulation designed to prevent truck drivers from feeling fatigued – a major reason for most truck accidents. 

As per the regulations:

• Truck drivers must rest at least 10 hours before starting a new work day.

• Truck drivers can work 14 hours a day, but they are only allowed to work for 11 of those hours. The rest must be used for rest and meals.

• Truck drivers must take days off regularly. 

In case of a truck accident, the driver and the company they work with may be legally at fault. This can also include the shipping company, trucking company, the truck manufacturer (if the vehicle or a component in the vehicle was defective and caused the accident), and the owner of a property whose negligence contributed to the accident in any way. At this time, you need strong legal representation by lawyers proficient in Illinois trucking laws. 

Contact a Professional Park Ridge Truck Accident Attorney 

Injuries resulting from a truck accident can have immediate and long-lasting effects on your life. At Quinn Law Group, we have Park Ridge truck accident attorneys who can outline a legal strategy for you. Contact us by dialing 847-232-7180 and book a consultation. 

Source: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service