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Trucking Regulations
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, a major part of establishing the liability of the truck driver or company is showing whether there were any violations of FMCSA regulations. Bhatt Law Group has experienced attorneys who know these regulations, and can help you gather evidence to prove whether there were any violations involved in your accident. Contact our Jersey City truck accident lawyers at (201) 798-8000 for a free initial consultation.
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that issues federal trucking regulations that apply to commercial trucking nationwide. FMCSA enforces rules that apply to trucking companies, commercial truck drivers, and others in the trucking industry.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, a major part of establishing the liability of the truck driver or company is showing whether there were any violations of FMCSA regulations. Bhatt Law Group has experienced attorneys who know these regulations, and can help you gather evidence to prove whether there were any violations involved in your accident. Contact our Jersey City truck accident lawyers at (201) 798-8000 for a free initial consultation.
Major FMCSA Regulations on Hours of Work
Rules issued by FMCSA determine the limits of how long commercial truck companies can require their drivers to work. The commercial trucking industry is very competitive, and the rising demand for fast shipments from one coast to the other may cause companies to impose unreasonable requirements on their truck drivers to drive longer than what is safe.
Rules prohibit drivers from operating a truck more than 11 consecutive hours without resting for a minimum of 10 hours. Additionally, FMCSA’s trucking regulations require truck drivers to take a 30-minute rest break after the first 8 hours of a shift. FMCSA issued these rules based on studies that showed the risk of truck accidents doubles between a driver’s eighth and tenth hour of driving. The risk increases again between a driver’s tenth and the eleventh hour of driving.
When drivers fail to follow these rules, they can become fatigued and fail to operate their vehicles properly. That’s when accidents occur. Our knowledgeable attorneys know how to scrutinize truck driver log books to determine whether they were complying with FMCSA regulations while operating large trucks.
Rules for Screening and Hiring Truck Drivers
FMCSA’s regulations also contain requirements for companies in hiring and retaining truck drivers. These requirements include checking a driver’s motor vehicle record, performing complete background checks, and contacting prior employers. Additionally, the regulations also authorize the FMCSA to run a pre-employment screening program that permits motor carriers, drivers, and truck industry service providers to have access to truck drivers’ safety records. These records contain five years of a driver’s most recent crash data and three years of a driver’s most recent roadside inspection data from the FMCSA database.
FMCSA also requires trucking companies to maintain a driver qualification record. In this record, companies are required to review and document a truck applicant’s prior driver’s licenses, experience, and accidents during the last three years. The record must contain any injuries caused by the applicant’s prior accidents, all traffic tickets for the last three years, all prior suspensions, and all prior employers for the previous three years along with the driver’s reason for leaving employment.
Trucking companies are responsible for their drivers’ performance, which includes ensuring that they are appropriately pre-screened before hiring them, are consistently evaluated for any performance issues, and ensuring that they do not operate trucks while fatigued. Failure to follow these regulations may be a basis to hold a truck company liable if one of their drivers causes an accident.
Contact a Jersey City Truck Accident Lawyer After an Accident
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, an experienced attorney can help discover any FMCSA regulation violations that may have caused your accident. We will investigate the accident, review witness statements, and evaluate your entire claim. Our goal is to help you obtain the maximum compensation possible in your case.
Bhatt Law Group has been helping people in New Jersey since 2006, and with our collective years of experience, we can help you navigate the complex FMCSA regulations involved in establishing a truck company’s liability for your accident. We will work closely with you every step of the way. Contact us today at (201) 798-8000 to speak with one of our Jersey City truck accident attorneys.
Recent Settlements
$2,300,000 Settlement
Our client’s car was t-boned by a commercial vehicle. As a result, she required multiple lumbar spine surgeries. Bhatt Law Group immediately filed a lawsuit and retained experts. Prior to trial and after several depositions, we were able to obtain a settlement on behalf of our client.
$2,000,000 Settlement
Our client’s vehicle rolled over several times after being side-swiped by an 18 wheeler. This resulted in significant injuries to his neck and back. Client was unable to return to work because of his injuries. The insurance company contested the liability but after filing suit, serving discovery, and taking depositions, Bhatt Law Group was able to settle this case.
$1,750,000 Settlement
Our client was struck by a car that was attempting to make an illegal u-turn. This resulted in significant damage to our client’s car and he was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Our client required both back and knee surgery and physical therapy.
$1,300,000 Settlement
Our client was injured in a motor vehicle accident. As a result of the accident, our client sustained injuries to her spine.
$950,000 Settlement
Our client was injured when she was struck by a motor vehicle when crossing the street. As a result of the accident, our client sustained a fractured leg and injuries to her back. This was a difficult liability case but the settlement was obtained as a result of strong settlement negotiations.
$825,000 Settlement
Our client was injured when he slipped and fell on ice. As a result of the accident, our client sustained a broken ankle.
$375,000 Settlement
Our client was injured when he was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle in Jersey City. The liability insurance carrier argued low impact with minimal property damage and our client’s age to minimize the extent of his damages. As a result of the accident, our client sustained injuries to his neck and back resulting in multiple injections including a two level lumbar fusion and discectomy surgery. This settlement was the result of strategic preparation and strong settlement negotiations.
$100,000 Settlement
Our client was injured when she was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Maplewood. The claim had its complexities due to the claimant’s ongoing health issues, prior accident history and age. As a result of the subject accident, our client sustained an aggravation of injuries to her neck, back and right shoulder resulting in a one level discectomy with instrumentation. The bodily insurance carrier tendered its insured’s policy limits prior to the two year statute of limitations and without extensive litigation.
$75,000 Settlement
Multi-motor vehicle accident involving our client who suffered back injuries requiring injections.
* Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Your Personal Injury Team
When someone’s negligence causes you or a loved one serious injury, you deserve justice. Our team of personal injury lawyers at Bhatt Law Group is here to help you obtain the maximum available compensation for your medical costs, lost income, and other losses. We’re dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured people throughout New Jersey.
Your Criminal Defense Team
When you’ve been charged with a crime or a traffic offense in New Jersey, you need a dedicated team of lawyers who will fight your charge aggressively. At Bhatt Law Group, our criminal defense team is made up of skilled and experienced trial attorneys, including a former prosecutor, who will work hard to get you the best possible outcome for your case.
Your Family Law Team
Domestic matters can be incredibly complicated and emotional. Our team of New Jersey family lawyers at Bhatt Law Group are dedicated to protecting your best interests in family law matters, from divorce to custody disputes to DYFS investigations. Let us help you through this challenging time in your life.
Our attorneys have been recognized by some of the most prestigious legal organizations.
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. To read the standard by which Thomson Reuters, AVVO, Lead Counsel, National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, and National Association of Distinguished Counsel provides accolades, please visit bhattlawgroup.com/accolades.
Client Stories
Renee
Bhatt Law Group Client
Renee was involved in a T-bone accident. Hear how Bhatt Law Group was able to go above and beyond to help Renee after her accident.
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Drupaj
Drupaj was involved in a rear end car accident. Hear how Bhatt Law Group was able to help Drupaj and was by his side through the entire process.
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Jocelyn
Jocelyn was involved in a rear end car accident. Hear how Bhatt Law Group was able to help Jocelyn through her trauma.
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Tatyana
Tatyana was involved in a rear end car accident. Hear how Bhatt Law Group was able to help Tatyana and exceeded her expectations.
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Stephanie
Stephanie was involved in a rear end car accident. Hear how Bhatt Law Group was able to help Stephanie by exceeding her expectations.
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