Missouri Truck Collision Lawyers

Missouri Trucking Laws

There are very clear federal and state laws that govern the operation of large trucks in Missouri. Large trucks are defined as trucks that weigh 10,000 pounds or more. The laws that these vehicles fall under are quite different from other regular automobiles such as cars, motorcycles or even small trucks or pickups. These laws deal with issues such as truck maintenance, height, truck loads, securing of loads, and truck drivers' hours of service regulations.

Trucking companies are also required to perform thorough background checks on their drivers as well as do drug and alcohol screening. The reason that these laws are in place is to protect the traveling public. Big rigs are huge vehicles, which could cause grave danger to other commuters on the roadway, if it goes out of control.

HOURS OF SERVICE

The number of hours a truck driver is driving on the freeway is very important because a lot of Missouri truck accidents are caused by an exhausted driver, who is scrambling to make a delivery deadline and is simply not getting enough rest before he hits the road again. Truck drivers are required under state and federal law to keep updated log books and comply with hours-of-service laws. In general, truck drivers may drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive off-duty hours.

But not all trucking companies follow those rules. Trucking companies often face pressures to cut costs and increase profits and drivers, who are typically paid by the mile, are tempted to drive longer hours and travel faster than speed limits and freeway conditions allow. They continue although they are physically exhausted. Often times, their own companies set unrealistic deadlines for delivery, which the truck driver struggles to keep up with. Some trucking companies have also been known to falsify their logs to make it appear as if their drivers have been following regulations.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has done little to ensure that truck drivers and trucking companies comply with these hours-of-service laws. There needs to be more regulation and enforcement to bring down the alarming number of fatalities and injuries caused by truck accidents, but that hasn't happened yet.

If the truck driver or trucking company has been found responsible for the accident – be it poor truck maintenance, driving under the influence, not following hours-of-service regulations or driving a defective vehicle – they may be found liable for the injuries or deaths caused by the accident.

Missouri trucking laws are in place so that those who are negligent are found responsible for their actions and victims have a way to be compensated for their laws. At Page Cagle, our St. Louis trucking accident lawyers will fight hard to make sure you get compensated for your injuries and/or loss. Call us for a free consultation today. There is also a statute of limitations for filing suits for injury compensation claims in Missouri, which is all the more reason to contact us as soon as possible.