Because of the unique risks 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks pose to other drivers and passengers on the road, trucking companies and their drivers must comply with a complex set of federal, state, and local regulations that govern everything from the number of hours that truck drivers can spend on duty and driving to the background checks that trucking companies must conduct on their drivers and the inspection and maintenance they must perform on their fleet. These regulations are called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and provide the foundation for your case against both the truck driver and the trucking company. We’ve identified some of regulations that are most commonly involved in truck and 18 wheeler accident cases below: Hours of Service: federal law prohibits commercial truck drivers that drive across state lines from driving more than 11 hours in a 24 hour period. They must also keep electronic logbooks that document the number of hours they’ve been on duty, the number of hours they’ve been driving, and the number of hours they’ve spent resting and off-duty in the past 24 hours. These logs allow the trucking company to ensure that their drivers are in compliance with federal law and ensure that the truck drivers are not driving while fatigued Vehicle Maintenance Requirements: Drivers and trucking companies must ensure their vehicles are regularly inspected, adequately maintained, and safe to drive. The trucking company is required, by federal law, to keep up to date records of safety inspections, routine maintenance, and any repairs Hiring and Training Requirements: Trucking companies are required, under federal law, to perform extensive background checks on and provide comprehensive training to every driver before they start driving for the company. Once they’re hired, federal law requires the trucking companies to both continue providing ongoing safety training and to monitor the driving records of all their drivers on an annual basis Drugs and Alcohol Use: Commercial truck drivers are prohibited from using drugs or alcohol while driving or within 8 hours of going “on duty.” The trucking companies must also perform drug testing when it hires a new driver and continue randomly testing at least 50 percent of their drivers for both drugs and alcohol each year Illnesses and impaired driving: Drivers cannot operate an 18-wheeler or semi-truck if illness or fatigue prevents them from operating the vehicle safely. The trucking company is required to monitor their drivers’ alertness by examining the driver’s daily electronic logs and, if they suspect that a driver could or may become fatigued, must prevent them from driving until they’ve received sufficient rest. Having successfully represented thousands of truck and 18-wheeler accident victims in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and across the United States, our Houston Truck Accident Lawyers have gained a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations that apply to the commercial trucking industry and the tactics trucking companies and their insurers will use to avoid paying victims what they’re owed. We also know what evidence we need to prove your claims, where to find it, and how to make sure the trucking company gives it to us so that we can use it to maximize your recovery through settlement or at trial.