Safety Standards for Commercial Trucks
A fast-moving piece of metal filled with gasoline or batteries is a recipe for trouble, and yet that is what automobiles are. Yes, cars are safe as long as they do not crash, and although safety features such as seatbelts and airbags have reduced the risk of death or catastrophic injury in car accidents, motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause of premature death. If cars are dangerous, imagine how much more dangerous commercial trucks are, since they are so much bigger than cars. Because of this, the regulations are strict for car safety requirements, and drivers of cars must follow a long list of laws. The requirements are even stricter for trucks and truck drivers, since a minor mistake by a truck driver can cause a disastrous accident in which dozens of people suffer injuries and dozens of cars get damaged. If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney.
Florida Laws About Trucking Safety
These are some rules that the drivers of trucks and other commercial vehicles in Florida must follow:
- They must have the appropriate Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), issued by the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. A class A license is for commercial freight trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds, while a class B license is for smaller commercial freight trucks, and a Class C license is for buses and passenger vans. Getting a license requires a written test, a skills test, a vision screening, and functional proficiency in spoken English.
- Drivers carrying freight must not drive more than 11 hours in one day.
- Drivers carrying passengers must not drive more than ten hours in one day.
- Drivers must take breaks at legally determined intervals during their shift. They must also observe mandatory rest periods between shifts and not exceed the maximum number of driving hours in a seven-day period.
- Trucks must stop at weigh stations during their trips.
- Drivers must inspect various parts of the truck, including brakes, before beginning each trip.
Your Rights If You Get Injured in a Truck Accident
The companies that own commercial trucks are legally responsible for accidents arising from driver errors or from improper truck maintenance. If you get injured in a traffic accident involving a commercial truck, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer can help you get compensation for your accident-related losses by filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. The compensation you can get may include reimbursement for medical expenses and lost income. If your injuries are severe, you might even be able to get noneconomic damages, which are compensation for pain and suffering and for non-financial ways that the accident negatively affected your life.
Set Up a Consultation Today
A car accident lawyer can help you recover damages if you were injured in a truck accident resulting from a driver’s mistake or a poorly maintained commercial truck. Contact Boone & Davis in Fort Lauderdale, Florida or call 954-566-919 to explore your potential recovery options today.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/commercial-motor-vehicle-drivers/commercial-driver-license/
