How Can You Tell Whether Trucking Safety Regulations Have Been Violated?
You know something feels off. You were hit by a commercial truck, and the aftermath does not add up. The driver looked exhausted, the brakes squealed like they had been ignored for months, and nobody from the company has followed up. That is more than a hunch – it is a signal. A signal that trucking safety regulations might have been broken long before that truck ever entered your lane.
The experienced legal professionals with The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., have seen how transportation shortcuts can change lives in an instant. If you are wondering whether a trucking company followed the rules or pushed them aside, there are ways to find out – but they are not always obvious. Our truck accident law firm is standing by to tell you more about how we will fight for the justice you deserve.
What Makes Regulations So Critical?
Truck drivers and motor carriers must follow strict federal rules. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does not hand out guidelines for show. These rules exist because trucks weigh tens of thousands of pounds, and even a single missed step in maintenance or record-keeping can lead to catastrophe. Violations are not always dramatic. Sometimes, it is something subtle, like a skipped inspection or a falsified rest log.
You will not be expected to dig through FMCSA regulations or decipher commercial driving codes. That is where we come in. Our attorneys will review logbooks, safety audits, employment records, and maintenance schedules. We will subpoena internal emails if needed. These are not random papers – they are potential proof that the company skipped important safety steps.
Signs That Regulations Might Have Been Ignored
A trucker nodding off behind the wheel is never just fatigue. It could point to hours-of-service violations. If a driver kept going past the legal driving limit, that is not just careless – it is illegal. Our first step as your legal team will be to pull electronic logging device data and compare it to delivery schedules and gas receipts. Inconsistencies often reveal far more than words alone.
Brake failure? Tire blowouts? Those could indicate neglected maintenance. Trucking companies are required to inspect their rigs regularly. If they did not, that failure may be documented in inspection logs or the absence of them altogether. A skilled lawyer from our team will recognize when something is missing or conveniently vague. We will push to uncover the gaps.
What You Can Expect From a Legal Investigation
When we take on your case, we will not rely on surface-level records or guesswork. We will file the necessary legal motions to access federal safety audit reports, maintenance records, and data from the truck’s onboard systems. These reports often reveal what the company did not want to share, like skipped brake checks, expired permits, negligent cargo loading practices, or driver violations that never should have gone unnoticed.
Our lawyers can also consult FMCSA’s SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) public database, which shows inspection results, crash history, and out-of-service violations. That data helps us build a timeline, piece by piece, that shows where the company went wrong.
Holding the Right Parties Accountable for Breaking Trucking Safety Regulations
Trucking companies sometimes point fingers elsewhere, hoping to avoid responsibility. But federal regulations make it clear: the carrier, the driver, and even a third-party maintenance crew can all share liability. With the right legal strategy, we will uncover whether any of them cut corners leading to the crash.
We will treat your case like what it is – a serious matter that deserves more than a formulaic approach. If the rules were ignored, we will work to bring those facts forward. Schedule a free consultation with The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. by using our online contact form or calling 239-500-5000.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):
Q: What are some common trucking safety regulations?
A: Trucking regulations include rules about driver hours of service, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, and record-keeping. These rules are enforced by the FMCSA.
Q: How can you tell if a trucking company violated safety regulations?
A: Violations can be identified by reviewing logbooks, maintenance records, inspection reports, and electronic data from the truck’s onboard systems. Legal professionals can assist in gathering and analyzing this information.
Q: Who can be held responsible for violating trucking safety regulations?
A: The trucking company (carrier), the driver, and even third-party maintenance crews can be held accountable if they violate safety regulations leading to an accident.
