The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created specific rules and regulations to govern those within the trucking industry. They were designed to keep the country’s roads safe by limiting how long drivers can spend behind the wheel each day and forcing them to perform the proper inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
These guidelines also come into play when people file truck accident lawsuits after crashes occur. Make sure you know how they may impact a case before filing one through a truck accident lawyer.
So, how exactly do federal regulations affect claims following Texas truck accidents? Keep reading to find out.
Federal Trucking Regulations May Prove Negligence During Legal Claims
If you were involved in a truck accident in Texas, you may file a lawsuit against the driver who caused it. However, you must prove negligence on a driver’s part to achieve a legal victory. Normally, this will involve presenting a mountain of evidence to demonstrate a driver’s negligence.
The federal regulations the FMCSA has implemented might help you do this. If a driver is found to have broken federal rules during your crash, this is often considered negligence on its own.
Even if you don’t have any other proof of negligence, the fact that a driver violated one of the FMCSA’s rules is typically enough to prove it. Your truck accident lawyer will have an easier time helping you earn a successful outcome in your case.
Federal Trucking Regulations Might Strengthen Legal Cases
If a driver didn’t break any federal trucking regulations during your crash, this might rule out the possibility of you proving negligence quickly. Still, it might not stop you from using those regulations to your advantage.
The simple fact that they exist allows attorneys representing those in cases involving commercial truck accidents to launch more thorough investigations. They maintain the right to look through:
- A driver’s logbook
- Maintenance records for a driver’s truck
- Drug and alcohol test results
While sifting through this documentation, your legal representation might spot something they can use to strengthen your case. There shouldn’t be any shortage of evidence in truck accident cases.
Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer Who Understands Federal Trucking Regulations Is Crucial
Since the FMCSA’s federal trucking regulations will impact legal claims, you should remember this while searching for an attorney. The truck accident lawyer you choose should be well-versed in these rules and understand how they work.
You will inevitably put yourself into a difficult position if you bring an attorney on board who lacks in-depth knowledge of the industry. They might not fully comprehend how to use the FMCSA’s rules to prove negligence in your case.
Explore your options and pick a personal injury lawyer with a history of representing those involved in Texas truck accidents. This could instill more confidence in you while taking legal action against a driver. It may also minimize the stress you feel throughout your case.
Contact Us To Speak With a Truck Accident Lawyer About Your Case
The FMCSA created the federal trucking regulations for many reasons. First and foremost, they exist to protect others on the road who would otherwise sustain injuries (or worse) if truck drivers were left to their own devices. Public safety was a huge part of the push to create them.
They also make it easier for a truck accident lawyer to prove negligence in a case. McLaurin Law, PLLC, can provide a knowledgeable and experienced attorney capable of tackling a legal claim.
Call us at (713) 364-1895 to discuss your case with a trusted attorney.
