Commercial transportation companies are regulated under several federal government agencies and laws. This is to ensure safety and efficiency while trucking companies and other transportation companies are on the roads. The main law governing commercial transportation is the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Act of 1999, which established the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is the body that creates new regulations for commercial transport companies and enforces current regulations.
The Federal Motor Safety Carrier Act was signed into law in 1999, and created, among other things, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA oversees commercial transportation companies and creates regulations to ensure safe and efficient transport. This ensures safety not only in the industry, but also to those on the road alongside these commercial transportation vehicles. These vehicles are much larger than a normal car, and thus can be much more dangerous on the road. That is why these regulations are so strict and so important. Without them, driving could be much more dangerous.
The FMSCA also allows for states to create more strict regulations, as is discussed in another blog on the Indiana Commercial Driver’s Manual.
Why are These Regulations Important?
These regulations are important because they ensure the safety of everyone on the road. They also provide some form of redress for those who have been injured in an accident with a commercial transportation vehicle (the most common example being a semi-truck). These regulations created by the FMSCA are used in trial to show what exactly was done wrong in an accident. These rules, when followed, can create a safe atmosphere for all drivers on the road. However, if a driver goes over hours, or does not properly inspect their vehicle, they may cause an accident and hurt or kill someone.
The regulations define what laws and rules a driver must follow on the road, a timeframe in which they must keep an accident report, and a log of how many hours they have driven per day. Thus, these many rules help ensure the safe operation of vehicles that could be unsafe.
These rules are also important because most commercial vehicles, especially semi-trucks travel between two states. Thus, in these cases federal law would apply, while those semis that travel in one state would be governed by state law.
If these rules are not followed, accidents may occur, and commercial transportation companies might cut corners to ensure quick moving times. However, the goal of the FMSCA is to ensure both safety and efficiency. These rules are used in trial to show when a company was not safe, and just trying to help their bottom line.
What Should I do if I Have Been Injured in a Commercial Transportation Accident?
Injured truck accident victims need an experienced lawyer who has handled a lot of tractor trailer and commercial vehicle accidents. These cases can be hotly contested by extremely skilled defense attorneys who are paid a lot of money by truck insurance companies. Because the damages are usually much greater, the stakes are higher. At Hurst Limontes LLC, we have over 65 combined years of experience in personal injury accident cases throughout the Indianapolis area. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you file your claim and be adequately compensated for your incurred damages.