What Is an Hours of Service Violation in Texas?

 Posted on March 14, 2024 in Truck Accidents

Commercial truck drivers have some added traffic rules and regulations to follow in addition to the regular traffic laws that apply to all drivers of any type of vehicle. Since large trucks are harder to handle than an average passenger vehicle and accidents involving them can result in significant damage and injury, it makes sense that their drivers need to abide by even more rules to ensure safe roads. One section of these rules that applies to commercial truck drivers is called hours of service regulations, which are determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If you were involved in an accident with a truck that violated hours of service regulations, an El Paso, TX personal injury attorney can fight for the compensation you deserve.

What Are the Permitted Hours of Service for a Truck?

Hours of service regulations are intended to make sure trick drivers are awake and alert while they work. They define how often a driver needs to take a break and how long the break needs to last to ensure that the driver is not too tired and has the focus necessary to drive safely. Tired drivers are a common reason for truck accidents, which is why there are regulations in place to try to curb this.

After driving for eight hours, a thirty-minute break is required. If the driver takes a ten-hour break, they can drive for 11 hours straight. If they are just starting their shift, meaning they were resting beforehand, they can drive for 14 hours straight. This can seem confusing for someone who is not familiar with the concept, but a personal injury lawyer can answer any questions you may have about it.

If you can prove that a truck driver who crashed into you was in violation of the hours of service regulations, this will make your personal injury claim a smoother process. Commercial truck drivers are required to keep logs of their driving schedule, and many 18-wheeler trucks even have devices installed in them that automatically record when the truck is stopped and when it is driving. After an accident, it is common to recover these records, which will make it quite straightforward to prove whether the driver violated the hours of service regulations or not.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Sierra Blanca, TX Personal Injury Attorney

If you were hurt in a truck accident, hours of service violations might be to blame. An experienced Van Horn, TX truck accident lawyer can review the case and guide you forward. Call James Kennedy, P.L.L.C. at 915-544-5200 to schedule a free consultation.