Ocala Truck Driver Hours of Service Regulations/Fatigue Attorney
Many truck accidents are caused by fatigue. Truck drivers are often exhausted because they work long hours sitting behind the wheel of a large vehicle. Hours of service laws were put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to combat this issue. However, there are some truck drivers who are still drowsy while behind the wheel. Maybe they’re not getting enough sleep. Perhaps the trucking company isn’t following the rules and is forcing them to drive more, with less time between shifts. If you have been the victim of an accident caused by a fatigued truck driver, seek legal help. File a claim and get the compensation you deserve by contacting an Ocala truck driver hours of service regulations/fatigue attorney today.
Hours of Service Laws
Truck drivers are put under a lot of pressure by their employers. They have to meet certain deadlines. They have to get cargo to its destination on time or the employer could get in trouble. If the employer gets in trouble, they blame the truck driver. The driver needs to drive longer, with fewer breaks, to meet the deadlines. This causes immense stress, drowsiness, accidents, injuries, and maybe even death.
The risks are too great. Because of this, the FMCSA put hours of service laws in place. Trucking companies and truck drivers must abide by these rules.
- 11-hour driving limit. A truck driver may drive no more than 11 hours after having 10 consecutive hours off work.
- 14-hour limit. If the truck driver has had 10 consecutive hours off duty, they may not drive beyond the 14th hour after having come on duty. For example, if a driver starts work at 7 a.m, they cannot drive after 9 p.m., even if they have not been driving their entire shift.
- 30-minute driving break. After driving for eight cumulative (not consecutive) hours, a driver is required to take a 30-minute break. The driver may be off duty, one duty but not driving, or taking a nap in the sleeper berth.
- 60/70-hour limit. This limits how much the driver can drive over the course of a week. A driver may not drive after 60 hours on duty in seven days or 70 hours on duty over eight consecutive days. After being off duty for at least 34 consecutive hours, the seven- or eight-day period restarts.
- Adverse driving conditions. The maximum 11-hour driving period and 14-hour driving window can be extended by up to two hours only if there are adverse driving conditions that are making travel difficult.
Contact an Ocala Truck Driver Hours of Service Regulations/Fatigue Attorney Today
Fatigue is a serious issue in the trucking industry. Even though there are hours of service laws in place to prevent fatigue, these laws are not always followed, causing serious truck accidents.
Have you been injured in a truck accident? If so, let the personal injury attorneys at Meldon Law guide you through the process. These crashes can be complex, as there may be multiple parties involved. Schedule a free consultation today. Call an Ocala truck driver hours of service regulations/fatigue attorney at (800) 373-3000.
