Understanding the relevant federal trucking laws in Terre Haute can help to ensure that you stay safe on the road as a trucker or help an injured motorist understand if they may have an injury claim when they have been hurt in a collision. These laws specifically apply to truckers and cover everything from how much weight your truck can carry to how many hours you can drive each day.
Our experienced truck collision attorneys are here to help you understand these relevant laws. From trucking accidents to discovering how the laws pertain to you, we can assist with all aspects of bringing a claim or helping a person understand their legal rights and obligations.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict guidelines for the length of time a Terre Haute driver can be on the road. These laws include:
It starts with a 14-hour driving window that constitutes a day. The 14 hours only begins once a driver has rested for ten consecutive hours, which means that on a standard 24-hour day, truckers must drive all they plan to drive within 14 consecutive hours and be off the road for 10 hours. However, the actual time behind the wheel is limited to 11 hours.
A truck driver cannot drive for more than eight consecutive hours. In each eight hours, they must take one 30-minute break before continuing. Truckers can take this break and then complete their 11-hour day. For instance, they may drive for three hours, rest for 30 minutes, and drive for up to eight more hours.
Beyond the other limits, a driver must avoid driving more than 60-70 hours each week, though the term week is used loosely. It is a floating seven-day or eight-day period that limits driving time to a maximum of 70 hours. Whether drivers can work 60 or 70 hours depends on their company. It is decided based on whether the trucking company works every day of the week. A company that works seven days weekly allows a trucker to get up to 70 hours of driving time.
Time on the road can also be divided into on-duty and off-duty. On-duty means that a driver is with the truck but not actively driving. They can be in the passenger seat while someone else is driving or asleep in the sleeping berth.
While off-duty, the driver cannot work and should be able to leave their truck. This can be done for mealtimes, relaxing in a motel room, visiting family, or anything else that allows time for them to have a personal life. There are exceptions to every rule. Adverse weather, short-haul or long-haul trucking, and other circumstances may change the time truck drivers are allowed to be on the road.
The Federal Highway Administration, DOT, imposes weight and size restrictions on commercial trucks that Terre Haute drivers must follow.
According to the federal weight limit for trucks, it is broken down as follows:
When a truck needs to be heavier because of something it is carrying, permits are not government-mandated but set by the state. According to federal mandates, a truck should never exceed 81 feet and 6 inches, which is the size of one truck pulling two trailers with a width of 2.6 meters or 102.36 inches.
Indiana has different regulations, which include weight maximums for tri-axle vehicles and wheel weight. They also limit size to 8.5 feet wide, 13.5 feet tall, and 45 to 60 feet long.
Truckers must understand the federal trucking laws in Terre Haute to ensure motorists’ safety on the road. Failure to follow these rules increases the risk of truck accidents.
If you have been involved in a severe accident due to a negligent driver, you have options available to you that a skilled personal injury lawyer could help you understand. Contact the tenacious legal team at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin for help today.
Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin
The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.
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