FMCSA aggressively targeting fatigued truckers

March 21, 2014 (Press-News.org) FMCSA aggressively targeting fatigued truckers

Article provided by Davis Law Group, P.A.
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In 2013, new rules were announced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) concerning the amount of time that truck drivers would be allowed to drive each week. These rules limited drivers to 70-hour work weeks, which drivers could restart only after a 34-hour rest period. This must include two nights where drivers were sleeping from 1 A.M. to 5 A.M.

The agency made these changes to help address the issue of truck driver fatigue. Many drivers were involved in trucking accidents because they had spent too many hours behind the wheel. By requiring drivers to get more rest, the FMCSA hoped that those drivers on the road would be well-equipped to handle any issues they may encounter.

As the rules went into effect, many companies were struggling with staying on schedule. Drivers complained that the limits kept them from making money, and this led to several experienced drivers leaving the industry. Those that remained faced intense pressures to complete their deliveries on time.

In order to ensure that drivers are following these rules, the FMCSA will randomly perform inspections of drivers and their log books. If violations are uncovered, trucking companies could lose their certificates and be forced out of service. However, the inspections are not guaranteed to catch all drivers violating these rules, so additional measures are needed to help reduce trucking accidents.

One step that the FMCSA is taking concerns the use of electronic log books. The agency has been trying for several years to put a rule in place that would require commercial vehicles to have these devices, and recently, it appears that progress is being made. A new rule discussing electronic logging systems could be coming to the industry sometime within the next year. These devices could greatly improve the FMCSA's ability to catch drivers breaking hours-of-service rules.

The injuries that often result in a trucking accident can leave victims with significant medical expenses. These individuals will often need to undergo extensive treatment, followed by rehabilitation to be able to return to health. This could mean missed time from work, which could greatly diminish the income that a person will be able to rely upon as they recover.

If you have been injured in a trucking accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your case. Your attorney can conduct a comprehensive review of all of the factors that played a role in the crash, and pursue compensation from the responsible parties. If the other side is contacting you with settlement offers, your attorney can negotiate an agreement on your behalf. If you cannot resolve your claims, you should be sure that you are working with an attorney who has presented these kinds of claims in court in the past.