Federal Trucking Regulations

The Department of Transportation is a federal entity that is responsible for managing and overseeing interstate motorways and vehicles. Part of this agency includes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is the government entity that creates rules truckers are supposed to abide by when they are operating their large vehicles. Many of these regulations also govern trucking companies, and include things like rules that companies must follow when determining whether to hire someone as a truck driver. There are a large number of regulations that govern the trucking industry. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you understand these rules and how they may be beneficial to incorporate in your case.

There are a few important sets of regulations that a truck accident victim should become familiar with. First, minimum insurance coverage requires trucking companies to maintain a high amount of coverage to match their higher level of financial responsibility. Because accidents involving large trucks tend to be more destructive, more insurance makes sense. The actual insurance minimums vary depending on a number of factors. Driver qualifications is another example. The FMCSA requires drivers of these large trucks to be 21 years old, hold a valid commercial driver’s license, and be proficient in English. Additional issues that often come into play in a truck accident case are inspection, repair, and maintenance rules. Trucking companies and truck drivers must engage in frequent inspections and repairs, and may be held liable if they fail to do so and an accident results.