Do Different Laws Apply to Truck Accidents?

One thing that separates semi-truck accidents from typical car crashes is that commercial truck drivers and trucking companies have to follow more rules and regulations than other motorists.

• Hours of Service regulations – Because semi-trucks may weigh up to 20 times more than a passenger car, it is essential that truck drivers are always awake and alert behind the wheel. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state regulatory agencies have hours of service rules that limit how long an interstate truck driver can operate a vehicle without taking a rest break and how many hours a trucker can drive during a week. 
• More strict drunk driving laws – Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard regarding driving while impaired. According to the FMCSA, the blood alcohol concentration for commercial drivers to be charged with driving while impaired is 0.04 percent. All commercial truck drivers are subject to drug and alcohol testing. Truck drivers must undergo drug and alcohol if they are involved in a fatal accident or receive a traffic citation for an accident resulting in an injury.
• Weight restrictions – The bigger a vehicle is, the harder it is to control. Accordingly, the FMCSA and state regulators have implemented strict weight restrictions for truck drivers. The weight limit for a standard tractor-trailer is 80,000 pounds, but there are different rules for combination trucks and other vehicles.