Understanding FMCSA Rules that Commonly Lead to Serious Truck Accidents
At the Mancini Law Group, P.C., our truck accident attorneys in Chicago have successfully represented clients throughout Illinois whose lives have been severely impacted by negligent semi-truck drivers, trucking companies, and other liable third parties for more than three decades.
With over $100 million recovered for injured clients, our Chicago personal injury attorneys pursue maximum justice and maximum results by holding violators of FMCSA regulations accountable when their misconduct causes devastating truck accidents.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes nationwide safety rules governing commercial trucking operations. When these rules are ignored or violated, catastrophic truck accidents in Illinois often follow — and injured victims deserve full financial recovery.
What FMCSA Semi-Truck Regulation Violations Occur Most Often in Illinois?
Any time a truck driver, trucking company, or third party violates FMCSA trucking regulations, the safety of Illinois motorists is placed at risk. These regulations are designed to protect the public from the dangers posed by 80,000-pound commercial trucks.
Below are the most common truck accident regulation violations in Illinois:
Negligent Hiring Practices
Before operating a commercial vehicle, a driver must obtain and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and meet strict FMCSA qualification standards.
Drivers must:
- Pass drug and alcohol testing
- Complete proper training
- Meet physical and mental health requirements
- Have a clean driving history free of reckless driving, DUI, or excessive violations
When trucking companies fail to conduct proper background checks or ignore red flags, they may be held liable for resulting truck accident injuries or wrongful death.
Hours of Service (HOS) Violations
FMCSA Hours of Service regulations limit how long a truck driver may operate without rest to prevent driver fatigue, a leading cause of truck crashes.
Key rules include:
- No more than 60 hours in 7 days
- Mandatory 34-hour reset
- 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving
- Maximum of 11 driving hours within a 14-hour workday
- Mandatory 10-hour off-duty rest period
Drivers must maintain accurate logbooks, and falsifying logs is illegal. Many violations are discovered only after a serious truck accident investigation.
Improper Loading and Overweight Violations
FMCSA regulations limit semi-trucks to 80,000 pounds for interstate travel.
Improperly loaded or overloaded trucks can cause:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover crashes
- Brake failures
- Loss of vehicle control
Both the cargo loader and trucking company may be liable for these dangerous violations.
Failure to Meet Maintenance Standards
Because commercial trucks log thousands of miles annually, routine maintenance is critical.
FMCSA rules require regular inspection of:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Lights
- Steering systems
- Safety equipment
Neglecting maintenance puts everyone on Illinois roads in danger and frequently leads to preventable truck accidents.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed due to truck accident regulation violations in Illinois, contact our experienced Chicago truck accident lawyers at Mancini Law Group P.C. today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Your need for justice is our passion for justice.
