Truckers, like any drivers, are required to follow traffic laws while on the road. Additionally, the trucking industry has rules in place that govern the safest way to operate large commercial vehicles.
The state of Illinois has its own safety regulations which are intended to protect truckers and other drivers. Trucking regulations aim to combat some of the most common causes of truck accidents. When trucking regulations are evaded, serious accidents can arise and result in injuries and wrongful death.
Some of the most common truck accidents are:
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Intoxication
- Other instances of neglect
Improperly loaded cargo, intoxication, or other instances of neglect.
Illinois state trucking regulations include:
- Semi-trucks must be inspected at least once every year.
- Limits on the weight and length of trucks (vehicles that exceed the legal size dimensions, such as those transporting farm equipment, must acquire a permit).
- All trucks must be insured.
- Speed and weight limits that depend on the route classification.
- Drivers must be licensed and have a trucking permit.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Hours of Service Rules
Driver fatigue is another common cause of truck accidents, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created Hours of Service (HOS) regulations to combat this danger. The federal HOS rules define work time limits for truckers — drivers can only work for a maximum of 14 hours a day, and only 11 of those hours can be spent driving. Hours of Service regulations also outline mandatory break periods during shifts, as well as off-duty hours that must be taken following consecutive on-duty work days.
What are the Consequences of Violating a Truck Driving Regulation?
If a trucker violates any of the driving regulations that apply to them, they could be subject to fines, a demotion, or criminal penalties.
A truck driver who causes a collision because they failed to follow state and/or federal safety regulations can be found legally responsible for the accident, and required to compensate injury victims for the cost of hospital expenses, lost wages, and other bills that resulted from the incident.
At McHargue & Jones, LLC, our attorneys represent people who were injured in a truck accident. For questions regarding what you are entitled to following a collision, send us your contact information or call (312) 739-0000 to speak with our legal team at no cost to you.
