Trucking Hours of Operation

SANTA ROSA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, CMV (commercial motor vehicles), including semi-trucks, are required to adhere to certain rules regarding hours of operation, or hours of service. Due to the extremely high demand for goods to be transported throughout the United States, truck drivers often spend many hours on the road before taking breaks, and they are hard-pressed to make certain deadlines. When drivers do not comply with laws regarding hours of operation, the results can be a fatigued driver.

Fatigued drivers are one of the many reasons why accidents happen, and because there are specific laws which are designed to prevent fatigued truck driving, drivers who neglect these laws are guilty of negligence. When an accident occurs due to the negligence of a truck driver, any injury victims involved may be able to pursue monetary compensation for their injuries. If you have been injured, then you need the assistance of a skilled Santa Rosa personal injury attorney from The Law Offices of Freeman & Freeman. Hours of operation include various provisions and if you can show that there was a violation of these rules, then you may be entitled to damages.

SUMMARY HOURS OF SERVICE

Truck drivers who are carrying property or cargo are required to have at least ten hours off-duty before they can drive their maximum of 11 hours. These 11 hours of driving can only be stretched across a 14 hour period (lunch breaks and bathroom breaks included) before they are required to take ten consecutive hours off duty. Drivers also may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in a 7/8 consecutive day work week. These drivers may restart their 7/8 day period after taking 34 consecutive hours off-duty.

Drivers who use the sleeper berth must take eight consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, and an additional two in the sleeper berth or off duty combined. When these regulations are not followed, it often results in a fatigued driver. If you are injured in an accident due to the reckless driving of a truck driver who violated laws regarding hours of service, then you may be able to recover damages for the injuries that you have sustained.

At The Law Offices of Freeman & Freeman, we understand the hardships associated with your situation, and you can be sure that we will work with you to pursue the results that you desire for your future. We have been serving the residents of Santa Rosa, California since 1957, and you can be sure that we will put this experience to work for you in the situation that you face. Contact our firm today to discuss the injuries that you have suffered in a truck accident, and to begin the process of building a case that will effectively pursue your rights in court.