There are many trucking companies, and each has to follow federal and state regulations. If a truck business does not comply with these mandates, it may risk penalties. For those who suffer an injury in a trucking crash, it may be beneficial to consult with a Michigan truck accident lawyer to determine if any laws were violated.
At White Law PLLC, we offer legal help to those who suffer injuries in trucking crashes. Our Michigan truck accident attorney may review your claim and answer any questions you have about regulations for truckers and their employers. For more information, reach out to us.
Michigan Commercial Motor Vehicle
Per the Michigan Vehicle Code, a commercial motor vehicle may be used to transport passengers or property. Not all vehicles that carry passengers or property are classified as commercial. Here are the criteria for commercially operating motor vehicles:
- A vehicle is designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
- It has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 lbs.
- It has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of at least 26,001 lbs.
- It is carrying hazardous materials that require a placard.
A vehicle must meet any of these criteria to be used for commercial purposes. Meanwhile, a person may use a vehicle to transport family members or possessions from point A to point B. In this instance, the vehicle the person uses may not be considered commercial.
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Truck Driver Requirements
A driver may operate a semi-truck, mail truck, garbage truck, or other commercial motor vehicle. To do so, they must have or renew their commercial driver’s license (CDL). An individual may need to complete several steps to obtain their CDL, such as:
- Be at least 18 years old if they want an intrastate license or 21 years old if they want an interstate one
- Pass a medical exam or vision exam or get an exemption waiver
- Pass a written test and road skill assessment
- Pay various CDL fees
A Michigan truck driver may get an endorsement added to their CDL for different types of vehicles. For instance, a trucker may have a “T” endorsement, which verifies they are legally allowed to operate double- or triple-combination vehicles. A trucking driver may also have a “P” endorsement, which enables them to operate a vehicle that has 15 or more passengers.
Truck Driver Log Requirements
Michigan truckers must keep a record of their activities in accordance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements. There are logbook examples from FMCSA, and these may help trucking companies and their drivers comply with these mandates. Also, truck businesses may use electronic logging devices.
By logging information from truck drivers, trucking companies may be able to make sure their operators comply with hours of service requirements. If a trucker spends too much time behind the wheel without taking a break, they may get tired. In this situation, the truck driver may cause an accident, and their employer may be liable.
At White Law PLLC, our personal injury lawyers have plenty of experience with cases like yours. If you got hurt in a trucking accident in which a trucking company violated hours of service requirements or other mandates, we may be able to help you out. To learn more, get in touch with us.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Truck Inspection Regulations
A trucking company and its drivers must inspect commercial vehicles. If any problems are found, the vehicles should be taken out of service and repaired or replaced. FMCSA has several requirements for vehicle inspections, including:
- A vehicle must be evaluated annually by a qualified inspector, and a copy of the inspection report must be kept on file and available for review at any time.
- A trucker must evaluate their vehicle daily and perform pre-trip, during-trip, and post-trip inspections.
- If a truck driver identifies any issues during a post-trip inspection, these problems must be fixed before the vehicle can be used again.
- A motor carrier must keep written maintenance schedules for its vehicles.
In spite of these regulations, there are still truck companies that violate them. If a truck business does not follow inspection regulations or any others, it may be held responsible for an accident. Those who got hurt in a trucking crash caused by a negligent truck company may be able to hire an attorney who has achieved outstanding case results to pursue the most compensation possible.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Truck Size and Weight Regulations
A truck may be large since it may carry a wide range of items. Regardless, there are regulations in place to ensure trucks are not overloaded. Some of the general size and weight regulations for trucks include:
- A vehicle may have a maximum length of 40 ft.
- A tractor-trailer combination may have a maximum length of 50 ft.
- For vehicles that do not have a special permit, they may have a maximum height of 13 ft. 6 in.
- If a trailer is longer than 50 ft., it may only travel on certain highways, and it may be a maximum of 53 ft.
- There may be weight limits for trucks on certain roadways and bridges.
Failure to follow trucking size and weight regulations may be disastrous. In one of the worst-case scenarios, an overloaded truck may roll over and injure or kill motorists or pedestrians. If this happens, the trucking company may be subject to personal injury and wrongful death claims, which a wrongful death lawyer can help with.
Other Trucking Company Regulations
Every commercial vehicle must have an identification number from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This USDOT number is required for any commercial vehicle engaged in interstate commerce. It must be posted on both sides of a vehicle.
Truckers must have an endorsement before they are allowed to transport hazardous materials. In addition, truck drivers are subject to Michigan’s driving under the influence (DUI) and operating under the influence (OUI) laws. They are not legally allowed to operate a vehicle if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04.
The legal team at White Law PLLC knows the ins and outs of trucking company regulations. We may be able to help you submit a claim against a negligent trucking business. To request a free consultation, contact us today.
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