If you’ve been in an accident with a big truck in Salt Lake City or anywhere in Utah, there are special rules that can help your case. Let’s break down these rules in a way that makes sense and shows why they matter to you.
What Are Trucking Regulations?
Think of Them Like Safety Rules
- Rules about how long drivers can drive
- Rules about truck maintenance
- Rules about how much weight trucks can carry
- Rules about driver training
- Rules about safety equipment
Why These Rules Matter to You
Let’s say you got hit by a tired truck driver on I-15. If that driver broke the rules about driving time limits, it helps prove they were at fault. That means more money for your medical bills and damages.
Hours of Service Rules: Keeping Tired Drivers Off the Road
What the Rules Say
- Drivers can only drive 11 hours at a time
- Must rest for 10 hours between shifts
- Can’t work more than 14 hours total in a day
- Must take breaks every 8 hours
- Need to track all their time
Real-Life Example
Mike was hit by a truck near West Valley City. The driver had been on the road for 16 hours straight – way over the limit. Because this broke the rules, Mike’s case was much stronger, and he got more money for his injuries.
Maintenance Rules: Keeping Dangerous Trucks Off the Road
What Must Be Checked
- Brakes
- Tires
- Lights
- Engine
- Safety systems
Why This Matters
Imagine a truck’s brakes fail on the steep hill coming down Parley’s Canyon. If the company skipped required brake inspections, they broke the rules. That makes them responsible for any accidents that happen.
Weight Limit Rules
Basic Weight Rules
- Most trucks can’t weigh more than 80,000 pounds
- Weight must be spread out properly
- Special permits needed for heavier loads
- Different limits for different roads
- Companies must keep weight records
What This Means for You
An overloaded truck:
- Takes longer to stop
- Is harder to control
- Can tip over more easily
- Can cause bigger accidents
- Can do more damage
Driver Qualification Rules
What Companies Must Do
- Check driving records
- Make sure drivers pass drug tests
- Require physical exams
- Verify training and experience
- Keep checking these things regularly
How This Helps Your Case
If you’re hit by a driver who shouldn’t have been behind the wheel, the company broke the rules. That’s important evidence for your case.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
When Testing is Required
- Before hiring
- After accidents
- When there’s suspicion of use
- Randomly throughout the year
- When returning to work
Real Example
Sarah was hit by a truck on State Street. The driver refused a drug test after the accident – that’s against the rules. This helped Sarah win her case even though the driver claimed it wasn’t their fault.
Safety Equipment Rules
Required Equipment
- Working brakes
- Good tires
- Proper lights
- Reflective tape
- Emergency equipment
Why It Matters
If any required safety equipment was missing or broken when you got hit, that’s breaking the rules. We can use this to help your case.
Record Keeping Requirements
What Must Be Kept
- Driver logs
- Maintenance records
- Inspection reports
- Accident reports
- Drug test results
How We Use These
These records can show:
- If rules were broken
- How long problems existed
- What the company knew
- When things were fixed
- Who was responsible
How We Can Help
What We Do
- Get all required records
- Find rule violations
- Prove who broke the rules
- Use violations to help your case
- Fight for more money for you
Our Experience
We know:
- Which records to ask for
- Where companies hide information
- How to prove violations
- What violations mean more money
- How to use rules to help you
Getting Help is Easy
First Steps
- Save all accident-related paperwork
- Take pictures if you can
- Don’t talk to the trucking company
- Don’t sign anything
- Call us at 801-448-6227
Free Consultation
When you call 801-448-6227, we’ll help you understand:
- Which rules might have been broken
- How strong your case is
- What your case might be worth
- What to do next
- How we can help
Remember, trucking companies have teams of lawyers who know all these rules. You deserve someone on your side who knows them too.
Local Help Available
We help people all around Salt Lake City and nearby areas:
- Downtown Salt Lake
- West Valley City
- Sandy
- Murray
- Taylorsville
- And all surrounding areas
Disclaimer: Every accident is different. Call us to talk about your specific situation and how these rules might help your case.
