How Federal Hours of Service Rules Can Help Injured Victims

Many truckers who travel through the Las Vegas area are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency which oversees interstate truckers at the federal level. These regulations are usually aimed at preventing accidents and improving safety on the country’s roadways.

By way of example, among its other rules, the FMCSA requires truckers to take periodic breaks so that they can get the rest they need and not get too tired while behind the wheel. Specifically, drivers have to take a 10-hour break after being behind the wheel for 11 hours.

Moreover, since brief stops for gas or the restroom do not count as part of the 11 hours, the FMCSA also requires the 10-hour break after 14 hours on the clock. There are also rules for many hours a trucker can be on the clock during a given period.

Truck drivers and trucking companies who do not follow the rules can face fines and other penalties. However, the fact a trucker can get fined for breaking the federal rest rules does not necessarily help victims of truck accidents who got hurt because of a fatigued driver. These victims still have to file a personal injury case against the negligent truck driver and, if appropriate, his or her trucking company.

The fact a trucker violated the federal rest rules can help a person who is pursing compensation through a personal injury case, as it can be used as evidence of the driver’s negligence. However, it is still usually a good idea to file a claim for damages with the help of an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney.