What Happens When a Trucking Company Violates FMCSA Rules?

The trucking industry is bound by some of the strictest federal safety regulations. Rightfully so, because a simple truck driver error, mechanical problem, or act of negligence can send a fully loaded 80,000-pound tractor trailer colliding with smaller passenger vehicles. When that happens, the results are often catastrophic. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules that regulate trucking companies and truck drivers, right down to the number of consecutive hours that a truck driver can spend behind the wheel before taking a break or a period of rest.  

So, what happens when a trucking company violates FMCSA rules? The consequences can be severe, ranging from hefty fines to the suspension of operating authority. These violations not only jeopardize public safety but also expose the truck companies to significant legal and financial liabilities.

Following a crash, it is always important to have truck accident lawyers who understand trucking safety regulations and can determine how these rules apply to your truck accident. Let’s explore what happens when trucking companies break the rules and why it matters to everyone who shares the roads with these massive vehicles.

FMCSA Safety Regulations Matter

The FMCSA has an important job: ensuring that all commercial vehicles, including 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and buses, operate as safely as possible. The agency establishes regulations and rules that cover just about everything you can think of when it comes to operating heavy commercial vehicles. From how long a driver can be behind the wheel to how heavy a truck can be, the FMCSA has a rule.

One of the most important sets of rules has to do with how long truck drivers can work. These are called Hours of Service regulations. They say that drivers can only be on the road for a certain number of hours before they have to take a break. It is to prevent fatigued driving, which can be dangerous when controlling a vehicle weighing several tons.

FMCSA regulations governing truck driver hiring, screening, and supervising are critical for preventing accidents caused by unqualified and unsafe drivers. By thoroughly screening, training, and supervising drivers, trucking companies reduce risks posed by unsafe truck drivers.

Another area that the FMCSA regulates is drug and alcohol testing for drivers. Trucking companies must make sure their drivers are sober and not using any drugs that can affect their ability to drive safely. It means regular drug and alcohol testing and strict rules about what drivers can and can’t do, even when not on the job.

The FMCSA also has several rules governing the trucks themselves. It includes how heavy they can be, how the cargo needs to be secured, and what kind of safety equipment the trucks need to have. For example, there are rules about “underride guards,” special bars on the back of trailers that help prevent cars from sliding underneath in a crash.

One piece of technology that’s become important in recent years is the electronic logging device or ELD. These devices track how long a driver has been on the road, making it easier to enforce the Hours of Service rules. The FMCSA requires most trucks to have these devices installed and working.

The FMCSA’s rules for commercial vehicle maintenance and inspection are designed to ensure that trucks are in safe working condition before hitting the road. These regulations require regular inspections, prompt repairs, and proper record-keeping for critical systems like brakes, tires, and steering. In mountainous areas like Denver, these rules are especially vital. Steep grades and winding roads put immense pressure on braking systems, and a failure can lead to catastrophic accidents. Adhering to these maintenance standards helps protect lives on Colorado’s challenging terrain.

There are also rules about truck drivers’ health. The FMCSA requires drivers to pass medical exams to ensure they’re healthy enough to operate a big truck safely. It includes checking for conditions, such as sleep apnea and hypertension, which can affect a driver’s ability to stay alert and react quickly on the road. Certain conditions can also cause the driver to suffer a medical emergency and potentially lose consciousness.

Although these rules might seem like a lot, they’re all designed with one goal in mind: keeping everyone on the road safe. When trucking companies follow these rules, they help reduce the chances of accidents. But what happens when they don’t?

When Rules Are Violated: The Consequences

When a trucking company violates FMCSA rules, it’s not just a matter of breaking the law—it can put lives at risk. The consequences can be severe for the company and anyone affected by its actions.

Most importantly, breaking FMCSA rules can lead to accidents. If a driver remains on the road too long and gets tired, their reaction times slow down, and they might even fall asleep at the wheel. If a truck isn’t properly maintained, it can break down dangerously, like having brake failure on a busy highway. And if cargo isn’t secured correctly, it can fall off the truck and cause a massive pileup.

When rule violations lead to accidents that cause injuries, that’s where truck accident lawyers come in. They understand the rules that trucking companies are supposed to follow. They can investigate what happened, identify signs of negligence, and determine if the company’s failure to follow the regulations contributed to the accident.

But even if an accident doesn’t happen, trucking companies can face severe consequences for breaking the rules. The FMCSA can issue fines, which can be costly for trucking companies. Regulators might even order a company to stop operating if the violations are severe enough.

There are also less obvious consequences for breaking the rules. Trucking companies that don’t follow regulations might have trouble getting insurance or pay much higher rates. This can make it harder for them to stay in business. They might also damage their reputation, making it difficult to get new customers or keep the ones they have.

Violating FMCSA rules can have personal consequences for the drivers themselves. They might lose their commercial driver’s license (CDL), so they can’t legally operate commercial trucks anymore.

Breaking FMCSA rules can even lead to criminal charges in the most severe cases. If a company knowingly and repeatedly violates safety regulations, the people in charge might face jail time. This is especially true if their actions lead to accidents that hurt or kill people.

The Role of Technology in Safety and Compliance

As technology advances, it has become vital in helping trucking companies follow the rules and stay safe. We’ve already mentioned electronic logging devices, which help track how long drivers have been on the road. However, other technologies also play a significant role.

One critical piece of technology is the event data recorder, sometimes called a “black box” for trucks. This device records information about what a truck was doing right before and during an accident. It can show how fast the truck was going, whether the brakes were applied, and if the driver made any sudden movements. This information can be valuable for determining what caused an accident and whether any rules were broken.

Advanced systems can also help prevent accidents. Some trucks now have automatic crash avoidance and emergency braking systems that can detect when a crash might be about to happen and apply the brakes if the driver doesn’t react in time. Other systems can warn drivers if they start to drift out of their lane or if there’s a vehicle in their blind spot.

For many years, the FMCSA has pushed for a rule requiring trucking companies to install speed limiters in all their trucks. The proposed rule has met fierce opposition from some truck drivers and trucking companies, causing it to be delayed. According to the FMCSA, speeding and driving too fast for conditions are among the most frequent driver-related factors in fatal crashes involving large trucks.

Technology is also helping with cargo securement. Sensors can detect if cargo has shifted during transit, alerting the driver to a potential problem before it becomes dangerous. 

GPS tracking systems can help companies ensure their drivers stick to approved routes and do not go into areas where their trucks might be too tall or heavy for the roads.

Technology is excellent, but it’s only effective if used correctly. That’s why the FMCSA has rules about how these systems should be used and maintained. An experienced truck accident lawyer will know how to determine whether these technologies were working properly and being used correctly after a truck accident. 

The Human Factor: Training and Company Culture

While technology is essential, at the end of the day, trucking safety comes down to people. The drivers behind the wheel and the companies that employ them play the biggest role in whether FMCSA rules are followed.

Good trucking companies invest heavily in training their drivers. It isn’t just about teaching them how to drive a big truck—it’s about ensuring they understand all the rules and regulations they must follow. It’s also about creating a safety culture where following the rules is essential to the job, not just an inconvenience.

Companies that prioritize safety go beyond just following the basic FMCSA rules. They might have safety programs, regular meetings to discuss safety issues, and systems to reward drivers with good safety records. They also tend to be more proactive about maintaining their vehicles and addressing problems before they become dangerous.

On the other hand, companies that don’t prioritize safety might push their drivers to break rules to meet tight deadlines or save money. They might skimp on vehicle maintenance or ignore their drivers’ reports of problems. This kind of culture can lead to rule violations and, ultimately, accidents.

When a truck accident attorney investigates a case, they often examine the company’s culture and practices. Were drivers pressured to violate Hours of Service rules? Was there a pattern of ignoring maintenance issues? These factors can be important in determining who’s responsible for an accident and what kind of compensation victims might be entitled to.

What Happens After an Accident?

Whenever a truck crash happens, one of the most pressing issues is determining what caused the accident and how it could have been prevented. When truck accidents cause fatalities and catastrophic injuries, victims and their families are often left with the harsh reality of knowing that the crash was entirely preventable. Having a dedicated truck accident attorney by your side to handle the aftermath and investigate is one of the best steps you can take to protect your rights and your future. 

After a truck accident, there’s usually an investigation. It might involve the police, the FMCSA, and sometimes even the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) if the accident is serious enough. They’ll look at the truck’s maintenance records, the driver’s logs, and any data from the event data recorder. They’ll also interview witnesses and examine the scene of the accident.

If FMCSA rules were violated, the trucking company might face fines or other penalties from the government. But that’s not the end of it. The truck accident victims will likely want to file a claim against the at-fault trucking company if they’ve been injured. 

Truck accident attorneys understand trucking regulations and how they relate to accident cases. They can use the official investigation results and their investigation to build a case showing how the company’s rule violations led to the accident.

If you sustained injuries in a truck accident, you have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages or income, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and much more. If the company or truck driver acted maliciously or their violations were part of a pattern of ignoring safety rules, the court might even award punitive damages. These are extra penalties meant to punish the company and discourage others from breaking the rules.

The consequences for the trucking company losing a personal injury lawsuit can be severe. They might have to pay out large sums of money, which can be financially devastating. They might also face increased scrutiny from regulators and have trouble keeping their insurance. In some cases, bad accidents caused by rule violations can even put a company out of business.

This underscores why it’s so important for trucking companies to follow the FMCSA rules in the first place. The consequences of breaking these rules can be far-reaching and long-lasting, affecting the company, its employees, and anyone involved in an accident.

Contact a Denver Truck Accident Attorney

From terrible accidents that can change lives forever to hefty fines and legal consequences that can put companies out of business, the stakes are high for trucking companies that violate FMCSA rules.

Every time we see a big truck on the highway, there’s a whole system of rules and regulations working behind the scenes to keep us all safe. When those rules are followed, we all benefit from safer roads and fewer accidents. And when they’re not, the consequences are too often devastating.

If you or a close family member were injured in an accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence, call Fuicelli & Lee today at (303) 444-4444 to schedule a consultation with an experienced Denver truck accident lawyer. 

Our goal is to restore you and your life to the way it was before the accident. While we can’t undo all the damage and pain and suffering you’ve experienced, we can fight to obtain maximum compensation to make your healing and rebuilding your life a little easier. Contact us today to start your case.