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Truck accidents are some of the most horrifying and dangerous types of crashes on Illinois roads. If you are in one, you will need a trucking accident lawyer Champaign Illinois. The attorneys at Carlson Bier Associates have a reputation for success. Contact us for a consultation at 312-622-2900.
Injuries can be severe in a trucking accident. That is why there are so many rules in place to ensure that all vehicles are safe for travel. There are federal regulations that have been put in place by FMCSA to lower these alarming statistics and hopefully prevent future accidents from happening.
Truck accidents are dangerous and deadly
Truck accidents are some of the most terrifying and deadly accidents on Illinois roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that around 4,000 people die in truck crashes each year.
Trucking companies know this, but drivers don’t always comply with federal regulations meant to ensure that they’re on their best behavior behind the wheel. These rules are in place to protect you from truckers who may be fatigued or distracted by phones or other devices. Sometimes these precautions are ignored and trucks get into accidents as a result.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need an attorney who knows how best to pursue your case in court. At the Carlson Bier, we have vast experience representing clients like yourself who have sustained serious injuries or lost loved ones due to another driver’s negligence.
Regulations
Hours of Service Regulations – The hours of service regulations (HOS) are designed to help ensure that truck drivers are rested and ready to hit the roads. They set limits on how long a driver can drive after 10 consecutive off duty hours and how much time they must be off duty before they can work again. These regulations also require truck drivers to take breaks, limit the number of driving hours per day, and limit the amount of consecutive days that truck drivers can be on the road.
Drivers must get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every 24 hours. This means that on average, they should be sleeping 8 hours per night. The maximum allowable time behind the wheel is 60/70 hours per week (depending on which state you’re in), with a maximum of 70/80 during weeks when there are adverse weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances affecting highway safety (such as traffic jams).
Because truck drivers have to meet strict regulations regarding the time they can drive and when they can sleep, it is important for them to understand what these regulations are. A driver who does not adhere to the federal rules may end up getting in trouble with the law. If you have been in an accident, contact our trucking accident lawyer Champaign Illinois for a consultation.
Drug and alcohol screening requirements
Drug and alcohol screenings are required for all new hires. In addition, there are:
- Random drug and alcohol screening is required as part of pre-employment screening.
- Random drug and alcohol screening is required during employment, if reasonable suspicion exists that an individual is driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol based on job performance or behavior.
- Post-accident testing must be performed if there is reasonable suspicion that a driver has violated alcohol or controlled substance prohibitions.
The FMCSA requires employers to perform pre-employment drug and alcohol screenings on all new hires before they receive their commercial driver’s license (CDL). This screening has been shown to reduce accidents by as much as 80%. If a driver was impaired and caused an accident, our trucking accident lawyer Champaign Illinois can help.
Contact our trucking accident lawyer Champaign Illinois
It’s important to remember that truck accidents are some of the most terrifying and deadly accidents on Illinois roads. This is why there are so many rules and regulations in place to ensure truck safety. If you or a loved one are ever injured in a truck accident, contact Carlson Bier Associates. Our trucking accident lawyer Champaign Illinois will pursue justice for you.
