Commercial Truck Rules in Texas

Houston Truck Accident Lawyer – Commercial Truck Rules

There are numerous federal commercial truck rules and regulations governing the trucking industry and interstate commerce. The rules cover everything from hauling hazardous materials to how many hours a truck driver can work.

Federal regulations apply to commercial vehicles throughout the United States, including trucks in Houston, Texas.

Sadly, a commercial vehicle accident can result in loss of life and catastrophic injuries. The Houston truck accident lawyers of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers work with clients to recover fair compensation for truck accident injuries. 

Our seasoned lawyers have over 45 years of combined legal experience in personal injury. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation; give us a call at (713) 500-5000 to speak with an attorney. We are ready to get to work to help you receive the settlement you deserve for a commercial truck accident claim.

Our Houston Personal Injury Lawyers Are Ready to Help You With a Truck Accident Claim

Our Houston Personal Injury Lawyers Are Ready to Help You With a Truck Accident Claim

Attorney Brian White is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. Our legal team has recovered millions of dollars for clients in Houston, TX.

We use the skills, experience, and resources gained in our decades of practicing personal injury law to fight for your right to fair and just compensation. 

At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, we place a high priority on exceeding client expectations. 

When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:

  • Gather information about the accident and your injury by completing a comprehensive investigation 
  • Consult with and retain experts in various fields to assist with the investigation 
  • Determine the extent of your injuries by consulting medical experts and specialists
  • Work closely with you to document your damages
  • Calculate the maximum value of your claim
  • File insurance company claims and handle all matters related to those claims
  • Aggressively negotiate settlement agreements with liable parties, including insurance adjusters
  • Prepare and file a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary, and advocate for your best interest at trial

Our legal team handles all matters related to your truck accident case, including monitoring deadlines, gathering evidence, and handling communications with all other parties. We want you to focus on your recovery while we focus on getting you a settlement that compensates you for your losses and damages.

Call our office today to request a free consultation with one of our Houston personal injury attorneys. We are here to help you when you have been injured because of another party’s negligence or wrongdoing. 

Commercial Truck Rules and Regulations

Commercial Truck Rules and Regulations

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the published rules and regulations of the agencies and departments of the Federal Government. Title 49 CFR includes the rules and regulations for the Departments of Transportation. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has the authority to enforce the rules and regulations for the trucking industry. The FMCSA operates within the Federal Department of Transportation. 

The primary mission of the FMCSA is to prevent commercial truck-related injuries and fatalities. It does this by enforcing safety rules and regulations that govern commercial motor carriers and commercial truck drivers.

The rules and regulations for the trucking industry apply to 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, flat-bed trucks, and other commercial vehicles. 

The scope of the regulations and rules cover topics such as:

  • Hours of service for truck drivers
  • Inspections, repairs, and maintenance of tractors and trailers
  • Drug and alcohol testing for drivers by the trucking company 
  • Hauling hazardous and dangerous materials
  • Maximum weight limits for commercial vehicles
  • Truck driver qualifications, such as age, training, possession of a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and driving history
  • Minimum liability insurance coverage
  • Rules for securing loads and cargo
  • Electronic logging device rule to comply with hours of driving time, consecutive hours off duty, and hours on duty
  • Accessories and parts necessary for the safe operation of trucks

A common violation of truck rules and regulations is driving times. Truck drivers do not follow the rules for hours in service or consecutive days of driving. When a truck driver fails to get enough rest or sleep, the result can be a drowsy driving truck accident. 

Big trucking companies and commercial truck owners must also follow state rules and regulations. For example, the state Department of Transportation oversees the requirement to pass a state inspection. 

Injuries and Damages Caused by Truck Accidents

All of the truck regulations and rules are designed to reduce the risk of accidents involving trucks. Unfortunately, some truck companies, truck drivers, and other parties violate the rules and regulations. The result can be a devastating truck collision.

The injuries caused by semi-trucks and other large trucks can often result in permanent impairments and life-threatening conditions. 

Examples of truck accident injuries include:

The types of damages caused by the truck accident include physical, mental, and emotional injuries.  Damages also include financial losses, such as lost wages, decreases in earning potential, and medical bills. When a victim dies, family members can seek wrongful death damages. 

Your damages could also be reduced if you contributed to the truck accident that caused your injuries. In fact, Texas’s pure comparative fault rules will bar you from recovering damages if you are more than 50% responsible for the crash. If you are less than 51% responsible, your damages will be reduced by your share of fault.

A Houston truck accident lawyer assists clients in documenting their damages. They calculate the value of damages to maximize the recovery amount for the claim so you can get the medical treatment you need. 

Who is Liable for a Truck Accident Claim?

In many cases, the truck driver’s negligence or wrongdoing is responsible for the truck accident. However, other parties could be liable for damages. 

Parties that might be named in a truck accident lawsuit include:

  • The truck driver
  • A trucking company
  • The shipper or loader
  • A part or truck manufacturer
  • Government entity (road defects and hazards)
  • A maintenance company or inspection company
  • Repair shops and garages

It can be complicated to determine who is liable for a truck accident claim. A personal injury lawyer in Houston may need to hire experts, accident reconstructionists, and investigators to assist with the investigation. 

Contact Our Houston Truck Accident Law Firm to Schedule a Free Consultation

Hiring an experienced Texas trucking accident lawyer who understands truck rules and regulations is in your best interest. A lawyer may use violations of the rules and regulations to support your injury claim. 

However, you have rules that you must abide by when filing your suit, such as the statute of limitations. Texas law only gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury suit. If you miss this deadline, you will be barred from recovering damages. 

Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Houston personal injury attorneys. We want to hear what happened to you and develop a strategy for recovering the compensation you need and deserve.

We Handle All Types Of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents still injure or kill thousands of drivers every year. Most of these accidents are due to careless drivers; our team knows how to prove negligence and get fair compensation when a truck driver hits you. Contact us in any part of the Eagle Ford Shale in Houston to schedule a free consultation.

We also cover the following collisions:

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