The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the regulatory agency tasked with ensuring truck drivers and trucking companies remain safe on the roadway. However, accidents involving large trucks are not uncommon in Ohio. At Paulozzi LPA Injury Lawyers, we are here to help when you need a Cleveland truck accident attorney. We understand FMCSA truck safety regulations and what role they play in the aftermath of these collisions. Here are some of the most common truck safety regulations:

Repair and maintenance

All commercial trucks must be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Trucks that fall into disrepair could become a severe danger to those on the roadway. It is often discovered after a crash that the truck was in violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Some of the most common parts of a vehicle to fail to include the steering, suspension, lighting, brakes, wheels, and tires, among others.

Weight limits

All commercial trucks have maximum weight limits, but there are times when trucking companies and drivers exceed them in an effort to increase profits. Trucks that are too heavy will be difficult to slow down or turn, which can lead to severe accidents on the roadway.

Licensing and driver testing

Driving a large commercial truck can be difficult if a person is not properly trained and if they do not have their commercial driver’s license. In an effort to save time and money, trucking companies may hire a driver with their CDL but little to no experience. Inexperienced commercial truck drivers are more likely to cause accidents and injuries on the roadway.

Safe driving behavior

There are various regulations in place to ensure drivers operate safely. The legal allowable blood alcohol content (BAC) level for commercial truck drivers in Ohio is .04%, which is half the limit for other drivers. Additionally, commercial truck drivers should not operate while impaired by any type of drug, legal or illegal, that causes impairment. Truck drivers should always operate at speeds that are reasonable for conditions and should follow all other traffic laws pertaining to commercial truck activity in Ohio.

FMCSA Violations and truck accidents

Truck drivers and truck companies are required to follow strict regulations put in place by the FMCSA. Failing to follow these federal regulations can result in significant penalties and injuries if an accident occurs. The most well-known of these FMCSA regulations is the hours of service requirements. Drivers are prohibited from operating more than eleven consecutive hours and must rest for 10 hours between their shifts. Additionally, there are hourly limitations for each seven- or eight-day workweek.

Our Cleveland truck accident lawyers understand these cases

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident caused by the reckless, negligent, or intentional actions other truck driver or trucking company, contact Paulozzi LPA Injury Lawyers. Our team has extensive experience handling truck accidents all over Ohio. We will investigate your case for any violations of FMCSA regulations by the truck company or truck driver, so we can secure the compensation you need, which can include:

  • Full coverage of medical bills
  • Any lost wages you incur
  • Household out-of-pocket expenses
  • Property damage costs
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of personal enjoyment damages

When you need a Cleveland truck accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 888-710-0040.

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