Truck drivers are held to strict federal safety standards designed to reduce fatigue and prevent devastating highway collisions. When a driver ignores hours-of-service (HOS) rules and drives longer than allowed, the risk of a catastrophic crash increases dramatically.
The truck driver hours-of-service regulations are meant to protect everyone on the road, and when they are broken, victims have a right to hold negligent parties accountable.
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, our personal injury attorneys help victims of truck driver fatigue accidents in St. Louis seek full compensation for their injuries and losses. We are ready to put our decades of experience to work for you now.
Contact us to set up your free consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney at our law firm.
Why Do Truck Drivers Have to Follow Restrictions on Driving Time?
Long-haul truck driving is demanding work. Commercial truck drivers often face tight delivery deadlines and long hours behind the wheel. To combat fatigue and promote highway safety, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established federal HOS regulations that limit how long drivers can operate their commercial vehicles without rest.
The hours-of-service rules serve an essential purpose: to prevent fatigue-related crashes. Truck driver fatigue can impair reaction time, concentration, and decision-making as severely as alcohol or drug use. According to the FMCSA, even moderate sleep deprivation can significantly increase the likelihood of a truck driver fatigue accident.
What Are the Hours-of-Service Rules for Truck Drivers in St. Louis?
Under the FMCSA hours-of-service rules, truck drivers transporting property must follow these key limitations:
- 11-hour driving limit – Drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour limit – A driver may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, even if breaks are taken.
- 30-minute rest break – After 8 cumulative hours of driving, drivers must take a break of at least 30 consecutive minutes.
- 60/70-hour limit – Drivers cannot drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days, depending on their work schedule.
- 34-hour restart rule – Drivers can reset their 7- or 8-day work period by taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
The commercial driver rest requirements are mandatory under federal law and are incorporated into Missouri’s trucking safety laws, which regulate both interstate and intrastate operations.
What Happens If a Truck Driver Breaks HOS Rules and a Crash Results?
When truckers violate hours-of-service laws, the consequences can be catastrophic. Fatigued driving is one of the leading causes of serious commercial vehicle accidents. A driver who exceeds federal limits may experience delayed reactions, micro-sleep episodes, or total loss of control, putting lives in danger.
If a violation is discovered after a commercial truck accident, it could lead to serious penalties for both the driver and the trucking company. The FMCSA can issue fines, suspend commercial driving privileges, or even revoke operating authority for repeat offenders. More importantly, the violation can serve as compelling evidence of negligence in a civil injury claim.
How Do HOS Violations Affect a Truck Accident Claim?
Truck accident liability and HOS violations are closely linked. If an investigation shows that a truck driver exceeded legal driving hours, it may establish negligence or recklessness. That can strengthen the injured victim’s case.
Violations of federal HOS regulations can demonstrate that the trucking company failed in its duty to enforce safe operating practices. Trucking companies often pressure truck drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, falsify logs, or ignore mandatory rest periods. When HOS violations contribute to a crash, both the driver and the company can be held financially liable.
How Can You Prove a Truck Driver Violated HOS Rules?
Proving an HOS violation requires swift action and skilled investigation. At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we can gather and analyze multiple forms of evidence, including:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data showing driving hours and rest periods
- GPS tracking records verifying route and timing
- Fuel receipts, weigh station records, and toll data that contradict falsified logs
- Driver communications with dispatch or supervisors about delivery schedules
- Witness statements or dashcam footage that corroborate excessive hours
Federal law requires trucking companies to maintain ELD data and supporting documentation for specific periods. However, ELD information can disappear quickly if not properly preserved. Our St. Louis truck accident attorneys are ready to act immediately to send spoliation letters to ensure no critical evidence is destroyed.
Who Is Liable If a Truck Driver Breaks Rest Requirement Laws?
Determining liability in cases involving commercial driver rest requirements often extends beyond the truck driver. The trucking company may share or even bear primary responsibility if it encourages, ignores, or fails to monitor compliance with HOS rules.
Other potentially liable parties in HOS-related truck accidents could include:
- Dispatchers who pressured the driver to complete deliveries faster
- Fleet managers who failed to review or enforce rest compliance reports
- Third-party contractors responsible for scheduling or load assignments
If the commercial driver is an employee, not an independent contractor, the trucking company could be vicariously liable for the driver’s negligence. In Missouri, courts recognize that companies are responsible for their employees’ actions when performed within the scope of employment. Therefore, a truck accident liability and HOS violations claim may hold the employer accountable for both driver negligence and systemic safety failures.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Truck Accident Caused by Driver Fatigue?
Yes. Truck accident cases involving HOS violations are highly technical and evidence-driven. You need a St. Louis truck accident lawyer who understands how to interpret federal regulations, analyze digital driving data, and identify patterns of misconduct.
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, our St. Louis truck accident attorneys have extensive experience handling fatigue-related trucking collisions. We work tirelessly to uncover the truth behind every crash, hold negligent parties accountable, and pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and long-term disabilities.
If you were injured in a collision caused by a fatigued or overworked truck driver, do not wait to take legal action. Federal and Missouri trucking safety laws are on your side, and we can use them to your advantage.
To learn more about your rights and legal options, please contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our knowledgeable St. Louis truck accident lawyers.
