Federal and state trucking regulations cover every aspect of trucking operations in the United States. These regulations matter in California truck accident claims because any violation could be a sign of negligence by the truck driver, trucking company, or other liable party. Proving that violations occurred may make it easier for you to recover the compensation you deserve after an injury.
How Do Federal Regulations Affect California Truck Accident Lawsuits?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules for trucking companies that operate in multiple states. California trucking companies and drivers must comply with these regulations. In some circumstances, FMCSA regulations apply to companies that operate routes that start and end within a single state.
If a California trucking company violates FMCSA regulations and their actions cause a crash, that violation could be an example of negligence, making the company wholly or partly liable for the wreck.
For instance, one critical set of federal trucking regulations that often applies in California truck accident claims are FMCSA’s hours-of-service rules (HOS). These requirements limit how much time truck drivers can spend behind the wheel in a given workday or workweek. If a trucker doesn’t follow HOS regulations or their employer pressures them to break the law and a truck wreck occurs, both could be legally responsible for any resulting injuries.
What Role Do State Laws Play in Truck Accident Claims?
State trucking regulations reinforce federal rules by establishing additional safety guidelines. For example, California trucking companies and truck drivers must follow precise weight rules to prevent trucks from carrying too much cargo, which increases their likelihood of tipping over. If a truck company overloads a truck and it overturns, the company could be liable for the crash because it broke the law. Similar regulations often play pivotal roles in California truck accident claims.
Can Trucking Violations Affect the Outcome of a Claim?
Trucking violations can and often do affect the outcome of a personal injury claim. To recover compensation in a truck accident claim, you must establish that another party’s negligence led to the collision and the harm you suffered. The more evidence you have of a truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence, the easier it is for you and your California truck accident attorney to make a compelling case for compensation.
Challenges of Truck Accident Cases Involving State and Federal Laws
The primary challenge of trucking accident cases involving violations of state or federal regulations is understanding the intricacies of the laws and how they apply to a particular case. You need a legal team that knows the laws, what violations commonly cause truck crashes, and what evidence you need to best support a personal injury claim. These complex cases demand help from an experienced California truck accident law firm.
Why You Need the Law Offices of Pius Joseph
At the Law Offices of Pius Joseph, we have 30 years of experience successfully representing clients injured in commercial motor vehicle accidents. Attorney Pius Joseph understands the impact of federal and state laws on truck accidents in California and how to leverage that knowledge to build a robust personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a large truck crash, contact us today for a free consultation.
