Drivers share the road with semitrucks on a daily basis, but many people don’t understand that these professional truckers have regulations to follow that other drivers don’t have. One of these is called the Hour of Service regulations. It was established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to help reduce fatigue-related crashes.
The Hours of Service rules limit how long a driver can operate their rig before having to take a mandatory rest break. Each rest break has a minimum length requirement. This can help to ensure that they stay alert and are safe.
The key requirements in these regulations depend on the type of cargo the trucker is carrying. If the driver is carrying passengers, they’re kept at a maximum of 10 hours of driving after taking eight hours off duty.
If a trucker is carrying property, they may drive up to 11 hours before having to take 10 consecutive hours off duty. They can’t drive past the 14th hour after coming on duty, even if they haven’t reached their 11 hours of driving time. If they drive longer than eight hours, they must take a 30-minute break.
Victims of semitruck crashes often suffer catastrophic injuries, all of which should be evaluated by a medical professional. This can be a costly experience and one that can be lifelong. Seeking compensation to help offset the financial damages is an option for these victims, but it comes with strict time limits. It may be beneficial to work with someone familiar with these matters so they can assist with the process.
