Trucking Rules and Regulations in Orange County
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Truck Accidents
When Someone Breaks the Rules, They Should Pay Up
Due to their massive size and weight, these vehicles can be especially frightening for other cars. A collision between a commercial vehicle and a car can have disastrous consequences for the people in the car, which is why the U.S. Department of Transportation imposes strict rules and regulations on trucking companies. But when a trucker acts in a negligent manner or the trucking company fails to properly maintain its vehicles, it can quickly become a matter of life and death for innocent bystanders.
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Hours of Service
11-Hour Driving Limit: Truckers are only allowed to drive for up to 11 consecutive hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
14-Hour Limit: No one may drive after the 14th hour of a continuous shift if it follows 10 consecutive hours spent off-duty.
Rest Breaks: Drivers may only drive if it has been 8 hours or less since the last time they were off-duty or in their sleeper berth for at least 30 minutes.
60/70-Hour Limit: Truck drivers cannot exceed 60/70 hours of working within a 7- or 8-day timeframe. They may only restart a work week after resting for at least 34 hours off-duty.
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Vehicle Maintenance
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What Happens When the Rules Are Broken?
Another common violation involves the company or the driver overloading his truck past the proper weight limits. This can be especially dangerous because it affects multiple systems in the vehicle, making it far more difficult to brake at an appropriate time and make turns. Additionally, a truck with too much weight has a different center of gravity than the same truck with less cargo. As a result, the truck driver will be unable to operate the vehicle in the same way and could cause a catastrophic accident.
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Liability in a Truck Accident
Determining fault in a truck accident depends on the causes of the crash. If the driver is shown to have been intoxicated while operating his vehicle, the liability would likely fall on the individual driver. However, if the accident was caused by poor truck maintenance or overloaded freight, the trucking company could also face a civil lawsuit.
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Get Legal Guidance From the Team That Can Help
Our experienced Orange County truck accident attorneys have helped many victims receive financial compensation to protect their livelihood. We have recovered millions of dollars through our strategic and effective representation. Let us help you fight your case. Give us a call at (949) 752-7474 to learn more.
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