Posted in: | Apr 06,2018
The federal administration’s new trucking rule that would require the use of digital tracking technology in all commercial trucks, is soon to go into effect. However, all initial reports suggest that there are still quite a few quibbles with the technology that need to be ironed out.
As of April 1, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new rule that requires electronic logging devices on trucks and 18-wheelers went into effect. All commercial trucks must now have a compliant electronic logging device that will help monitor and track down the driver’s hours of service.
The rule is meant to help limit the risk of fatigue and drowsiness while driving by limiting the number of work hours the driver can drive continuously. The rule actually went into effect in December, but all these months, drivers were not at risk of a citation for hours of service violations. However, all that changed on April 1. Now any truck driver operating a truck, without an electronic logging device on board will have to pay all applicable penalties if caught.
Truck drivers, who used logbooks until now, are now required to use electronic logging devices or automatic onboard recording devices that will track the number of hours that they work. A few exemptions have been added to the law, but overall, the laws apply to all truck drivers. The new federal rules are meant to reduce the problem of truck driver fatigue. It is a severe problem in the trucking industry, and many accidents happen every year because overworked, stressed and tired truckers are driving under the influence of sleep and fatigue.
Drowsy driving accidents can result in serious damage and injury, and the damage can be several times worse when the vehicle involved is a large commercial truck that can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. Unfortunately, truckers are often under pressure to drive longer hours in order to make sure that their freight reaches its destination quicker. The new rules aimed at reducing those risks and have been welcomed by Indiana trucking accident lawyers.
Filing a trucking accident claim can be much more complicated than filing an auto accident claim. When you file a claim for damages after a truck accident, you are dealing not just with the truck driver or the trucking company, but also freight companies, shippers, manufacturers, repair and maintenance companies and other parties. It’s important to hold all parties accountable for their negligence in causing the accident in order to maximize compensation recovery for you.
If you have suffered injuries in a trucking accident, get in touch with an Indianapolis trucking accident lawyer and learn about your rights to a legal claim for damages. Call an attorney at our firm – initial consultations are free. We only take our fees when we recover damages for you.
