Who To Call After An Accident With A Large Truck

In an attempt to reduce fatigue in truck drivers, laws have gone into effect enforcing new guidelines and standards for working hours this past July. The objective of the new law is to eliminate the occurrence of tired drivers behind the wheel of these deadly vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that 19 lives will be saved and 560 injuries will be prevented through the enforcement of the new law.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least one fatality occurs in a large truck collision in 98% of instances. Because of the sheer size of commercial trucks, the danger of catastrophic injuries and death is great, which exemplifies the need to enforce increased safety measures.

FMCSA's new hours-of-service final rule:

• Limits the maximum average work week for truck drivers to 70 hours, a decrease from the current maximum of 82 hours;
• Allows truck drivers who reach the maximum 70 hours of driving within a week to resume if they rest for 34 consecutive hours, including at least two nights when their body clock demands sleep the most - from 1-5 a.m., and;
• Requires truck drivers to take a 30-minute break during the first eight hours of a shift.

Due to the catastrophic injuries and fatalities associated with large truck crashes, it is crucial that an experienced attorney employed after a collision. Contact Orlando Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton at 888-293-1144 or at sextonlaw.com to ensure that your rights are protected.