Portland Trucking Accident Lawyers Share Information on Hours of Service Violations Causing Oregon Trucking Accidents
Nothing may be more dangerous on our roadways than a fatigued or tired truck driver. This is because even an experienced and well-rested truck driver could cause serious 18 wheeler wrecks resulting in catastrophic personal injuries. This is why federal regulations have an acted hours of service rules for truck drivers and trucking companies to comply with. The intent and purpose behind these regulations is for the safety and welfare of others on or around the roadways. When truck drivers and trucking companies willfully violate these hours of service regulations, they are needlessly and unnecessarily exposing us to substantial risk of personal injury. This is because hours of service violations causing Oregon trucking accidents is a serious problem. Our Portland trucking accident lawyers share important information how to protect your rights under state and federal law and regulations.
What are Hours of Service Regulations and Who Do They Apply To?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency that has enacted the hours of service regulations. All truck drivers and trucking companies must comply with these hours of service regulations no matter what state they are from, driving to, or driving in. These federal regulations are the minimum standards that all truck drivers and trucking companies must comply with. However, in areas where Oregon Law is stricter than the federal regulations, a truck driver and trucking company must comply with Oregon.
The intent behind hours of service regulations is to prevent fatigued, sleepy, and otherwise mentally and physically tired drivers from operating large commercial vehicles like 18 wheelers, semi tractor trailers, and other large box trucks. This is because fatigued driving can delay reaction time and make it more difficult to maneuver a large commercial vehicle. Hours of service violations causing Oregon trucking accident could result in serious injuries and the wrongful death of innocent people.
The most important hours of service violations under the FMCSA regulations include the following:
- Maximum 14 hours on shift
- Of 10 hours off shift or on break following any on shift
- No more than 10 hours consecutively spent driving
- No more than eight hours consecutively spent driving without at least a 30 minute break
- No more than 60 hours spent on shift over any seven consecutive days
- No more than 70 hours spent on shift over any each consecutive days, and
- Many rules that apply in different situations.
How Can a Portland Trucking Accident Lawyer Prove Hours of Service Violations
The tricky thing about hours of service violations is that the truck driver and trucking company Control the information regarding how many hours the truck driver has taken a break, been driving, in been on shift for the rest of the week. While many truck drivers and trucking companies are honest, far too many truck drivers and trucking companies are willing to lie and alter their hours to avoid federal violations and liability in a catastrophic trucking accident case. As a victim, this makes proving an hours of service violation case much more difficult.
However, retaining an experienced Portland trucking accident lawyer can help a victim improve his or her case by using certain tricks. Some of these tricks deal with the way to prove a claim. This includes using creative methods to investigate and corroborate the story of a truck driver and trucking company.
Some of the best ways to establish hours of service violations include the following:
- Investigate gas receipts
- Toll receipts
- Delivery bills, contracts, or bills of lading
- Hotel receipts
- Use surveillance cameras
- Cell phone pings and locations, and
- Other common methods.
Victims of Oregon Trucking Accidents Due to Hours of Service Violations Should Call our Law Firm
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of a trucking accident or collision contact the Oregon Truck Accident Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take Trucking accident cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
