Setareh Law
July 8, 2025
Commercial truck drivers navigate America’s highways under strict federal regulations designed to prevent the devastating consequences of driver fatigue, yet violations of these critical safety rules continue to contribute to catastrophic accidents. When massive commercial vehicles collide with passenger cars, the resulting injuries and damages can be life-altering, making it essential to understand how federal hours-of-service regulations factor into determining liability.
At Setareh Law, we have extensive experience investigating truck accidents and uncovering violations of federal safety regulations that contribute to these serious collisions. Our attorneys understand how hours-of-service violations can strengthen your case and help secure the compensation you deserve after a truck accident.
Understanding Federal Hours-of-Service Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces hours-of-service regulations that limit how long commercial truck drivers can operate their vehicles without mandatory rest periods. These regulations exist because driver fatigue significantly increases the risk of accidents, particularly given the size and weight of commercial trucks.
Current regulations require drivers to take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving and limit driving time to 11 hours within a 14-hour work period. Drivers must also take at least 10 consecutive hours off duty before beginning a new driving shift. Additionally, drivers cannot drive more than 60 hours in seven consecutive days or 70 hours in eight consecutive days.
Electronic Logging Devices and Compliance
Since 2017, most commercial trucks must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to automatically record driving time, engine hours, and vehicle movement. These devices make it much more difficult for drivers to falsify their logbooks, which was a common practice before electronic monitoring became mandatory.
ELD data provides crucial evidence in truck accident cases, as it shows exactly when a driver was operating the vehicle and whether they were in compliance with hours-of-service regulations. This electronic evidence can be instrumental in proving that fatigue contributed to an accident.
How Hours-of-Service Violations Establish Liability
When truck drivers violate hours-of-service regulations, it can establish a strong foundation for liability in accident cases. Driving while fatigued due to regulatory violations demonstrates negligence, particularly when that fatigue contributes to the accident. Courts recognize that these federal regulations exist specifically to prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue.
Violations can include driving beyond the allowed 11-hour limit, failing to take required rest breaks, or falsifying logbook entries to hide non-compliance. Each violation represents a breach of the duty of care that truck drivers and trucking companies owe to other road users.
The Role of Trucking Companies in Compliance
Trucking companies bear significant responsibility for ensuring their drivers comply with hours-of-service regulations. Companies that pressure drivers to violate these rules, fail to monitor compliance, or ignore obvious violations can face liability for accidents that result.
Many companies implement policies or create financial incentives that effectively encourage drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations. When this occurs, the company shares liability for any accidents that result from fatigued driving. This corporate liability often provides additional sources of compensation for accident victims.
Proving Hours-of-Service Violations in Your Case
Establishing hours-of-service violations requires a thorough investigation and evidence collection. ELD records provide the most reliable evidence of a driver’s hours, but other documentation can also be relevant. Driver logbooks, dispatch records, fuel receipts, and cell phone records can all help establish when a driver was operating their vehicle.
Expert witnesses may analyze this evidence to determine whether violations occurred and how fatigue may have contributed to the accident. Medical experts can also testify about the effects of sleep deprivation on reaction time, decision-making, and overall driving ability.
Your attorney will work quickly to preserve this evidence, as trucking companies are only required to maintain certain records for limited periods. Electronic data can be lost or overwritten if not preserved promptly after an accident.
Impact on Settlement Negotiations and Trial
Hours-of-service violations significantly strengthen truck accident cases during both settlement negotiations and trial proceedings. Clear evidence of regulatory violations demonstrates negligence and makes it difficult for trucking companies to deny liability. This often leads to more favorable settlement offers and stronger positions at trial.
Insurance companies and trucking companies understand that juries view hours-of-service violations seriously, particularly when they contribute to serious accidents. The combination of clear regulatory violations and sympathetic accident victims often motivates defendants to settle cases rather than risk substantial jury verdicts.
Contact Setareh Law for Your Truck Accident Case
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, understanding the role of hours-of-service regulations in establishing liability can be crucial to your case’s success. Our experienced attorneys know how to investigate these complex regulations and build strong cases based on federal violations.
Setareh Law has recovered over $250 million for accident victims, with 60 years of combined experience handling complex truck accident cases throughout California. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we secure compensation for your injuries. Our team is available around the clock to answer your questions and provide the aggressive representation you need. Contact us at (310) 659-1826 or through our contact form to discuss your truck accident case today.
