Penalties for Violation of Hours of Service for Truck Drivers

Truck driver safety is crucial in order to prevent truck crashes and as such, truck drivers must follow federal requirements that ensure safety on the roads. To learn more about truck driver requirements, visit our article library. 

Federal regulations include rules concerning the hours of service that a truck driver can operate a commercial motor vehicle. If a truck driver fails to follow the hours of service, it can potentially lead to a trucking accident.

If there is record of the driver involved in your accident having violated the hours of service (HOS) for truck drivers, your attorney may be able to use that as evidence of past negligence on behalf of the truck driver or company, particularly if the trucking company that employed the driver failed to facilitate proper punishment for the violation.

Penalties for violating HOS rules include: 

• Truck driver may be taken out of service at a roadside until enough off-duty time has been accumulated;
• Local and state law enforcement officials may give truck driver a fine;
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may charge a civil penalty on the driver or carrier, which could range from $1,000 to $11,000 (this amount is per violation and depends on severity of violation);
• Safety rating for the carrier can be downgraded if there is a pattern of violations taking place; and
• Carriers may face federal criminal penalties if they or their drivers knowingly and willingly violate HOS regulations. 

If you or someone you love has been involved in a Chicago truck crash contact a Chicago truck accident lawyer who can examine the details of your case to determine whether federal regulations for commercial vehicle drivers were violated in any way.

Hiring a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer

Even experienced, safe drivers run the risk of being involved in a serious Illinois truck accident. Beyond your initial recovery, injuries in these types of accidents are often serious and can result in permanent disability or disfigurement which can cause loss of the ability to work, years of rehabilitation, serious medical bills, and have a significant impact on your life.

A Chicago truck accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has dealt with similar cases to yours and knows the best course of action for your claim. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in an Illinois truck accident claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation - 312-263-1080