It happened in a split second. One moment, the woman was driving, envisioning surprising her boyfriend by decorating his dorm room for his birthday. Next, she heard only the horrific sound of crunching metal and shattering glass.
The accident happened in what felt like snapshots. The road spun. The airbag deployed. The glass from the windshield scattered around her. She felt burns on her arms and face. Finally, it all stopped.
When she came to, paramedics were asking her questions, but she couldn’t seem to find her voice or form a coherent thought. All she could think about was that she was going to be late. Late to see him.
In a matter of seconds, her entire life had changed.
This kind of incident happens all too often on Dallas roads. The Texas Department of Transportation reported in 2024 that Texas experienced 39,393 commercial truck collisions, resulting in more than 546 fatalities; the most of any state in the U.S. Of these accidents, 3,857 occurred in Dallas.
However, most victims don’t consider the weight that federal regulations play in determining liability and compensation. The dedicated Dallas truck accident attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. have made it our mission to ensure that accident victims understand how these regulations will affect their cases so that they can pursue adequate compensation. Here is what you need to know.
Federal Trucking Regulations in Dallas, Texas
Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Because of the size and weight of these vehicles, they can cause devastating crashes that can destroy a person’s entire life in a matter of seconds. Because of this, truck drivers and trucking companies must follow strict regulations set and overseen by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
These regulations are as follows:
Hours of Service Regulations
This regulation limits the number of hours a truck driver is legally allowed to work without a rest break. These rules set the standard amount of time after the last duty and before a truck driver is allowed to get back behind the wheel. The hours of service regulations ensure that truck drivers get the rest they need to keep the roads safe. Here are the hours of service regulation rules:
- A truck driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- A truck driver may not drive beyond 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty following their 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- All drivers must take a 30-minute break after driving eight cumulative hours without at least a 30-minute interruption.
- All drivers may not exceed 60 to 70 hours on duty in a consecutive period of seven to eight days.
- A driver must take at least 34 hours of off-duty time before starting another 60 to 70-hour work week.
- Drivers are allowed to split their required 10-hour off-duty period as long as one off-duty period is at least two hours, and the other involves at least seven consecutive hours spent in the sleeper berth.
- Drivers are allowed to extend the 11-hour maximum driving limit and 14-hour driving window by up to two hours when they encounter adverse driving conditions, such as slick roads.
Truck drivers are often under enormous pressure from their employers to deliver on time and pick up the next load. As a result, they do not always adhere to hours of service regulations. This becomes a major factor when investigating the potential causes of an 18-wheeler crash.
Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair Regulations
Every trucking company, by law, is responsible for the condition of its trucks. These regulations require that all 18-wheelers be reasonably safe and undergo routine inspections and maintenance to ensure they are roadworthy. Truck drivers also need to report any unsafe conditions to their company or supervisor and have repairs performed before they are allowed to continue driving.
Qualifications of Drivers
Driving a big rig requires more than just a commercial driver’s license. A driver must undergo extensive training to ensure they can properly handle the vehicle. Cutting corners during the training stage is common during driver shortages.
How Federal Regulations Impact My Dallas Truck Accident Case
Federal regulations establish standards of responsibility for corporate entities. These responsibilities require drivers of commercial vehicles to exercise greater care when driving to ensure that passenger vehicles remain safe on the road. Because of this, the fault is rarely with the driver and the driver’s personal insurance company.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require commercial trucking companies to:
- Implement safety management systems to monitor their drivers and ensure compliance
- Conduct an annual review of the driver’s performance
- Maintain liability insurance with a minimum of $750,000 and more for carriers of hazardous materials
- Establish a drug and alcohol testing program
- Keep detailed maintenance records of all trucks
- Keep detailed records of all drivers’ qualification files
These standards create multiple pressure points in litigation after an accident. Companies that fail to uphold these standards and ensure that their drivers operate these vehicles safely will be found negligent and be responsible for the collision.
An experienced truck accident attorney will ensure that you are seeking compensation from the right party. This is vital when determining compensation that fully covers damages and medical expenses resulting from your accident.
Hernandez Law Group, P.C., Represents Dallas Truck Accident Victims
Commercial truck accidents are complex, involving federal regulations, state law, and insurance companies. Gathering the right evidence to show the negligence of the truck driver and their employer can be daunting. But don’t settle for less. Instead, rely on the experience and wealth of knowledge of the Hernandez Law Group, P.C.
Our Dallas truck accident attorneys have represented thousands of clients in their truck accident cases, supporting their overall recovery. We ensure that the trucking company’s insurance cannot bully our clients. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review and to get started on your road to recovery.
FAQs:
The Statute of Limitations in Texas is 2 years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline will result in the loss of the right to seek compensation. It is best to file a claim as soon as you can.
Yes. Under Texas’s comparative negligence rule, you can recover a portion of your damages if you are less than 51% at fault.
Your Hernandez Law Group, P.C. truck accident attorney will request these records during the formal discovery phase of your lawsuit.
