100% Free Consultation (888) 493-1629

Trucking Injury FAQ

How Many Hours Can Truck Drivers Work?

Understanding Hours-of-Service & How Long Truckers Can Be on the Road

Because fatigued truck driving is a leading cause of truck accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established hours-of-service regulations. These rules restrict the number of hours that a commercial truck driver can be on the road during defined stretches of time, and they require truckers and trucking companies to keep detailed records of these hours for review if necessary.

Under the current hours-of-service regulations, a trucker can be on the road for:

  • No more than 11 hours of daily driving with a 14-hour work day cap
  • No more than a minimum average of 70 hours a work week
  • If the weekly limit is reached, they can continue after 34 hours of consecutive rest

Truckers are also required to take at least a 30-minute break within the first 8 hours of their shift. These regulations have been formulated by scientific testing to guarantee as far as possible that drivers have the necessary rest in order to drive without fatigue. While there are certain exceptions to the HOS regulations, it in a truckers best interests to adhere to these rules to avoid dangerous accidents or mistakes.

Who Must Comply with These Regulations?

Most truck drivers and commercial motor vehicle drivers are required to comply with these regulations.

Generally speaking, federal HOS regulations apply to truck drivers operating large trucks that:

  • Weigh more than 10,000 pounds;
  • Have a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 10,000 pounds;
  • Transport materials in a quantity requiring placards; or
  • Transport materials involved in either interstate commerce.

Truckers are required by law to keep a log for recording their hours. Any person subject to these regulations must complete this log every day of driving. Unfortunately, logbooks can be fabricated, falsified, or altered by truckers who violate the regulations, making it difficult to keep track of the amount of rest drivers actually get. Numerous trucking accidents that have been revealed to be caused by a driver who was simply on the road far too long. In these cases, the trucker can be held liable, as well as the trucking company if it can be proved that they encouraged the driver to violate the hours-of-service regulations in order to meet a deadline or were negligent.

The Issue of Fatigue & Drowsy Driving

The serious issue of drowsy driving is the exact reason that the FMCSA implemented the hours-of-service regulations. According to statistics, fatigued drivers directly cause around 15% of all accidents and are often linked to more than 750 deaths and 20,000 injuries each year. Reports show that the risk of getting into an accident increases dramatically when an individual has been driving for 10 or more consecutive hours. This is often most common for commercial drivers, who are on the road for a living and always striving to meet their deadlines.

These are staggering numbers that underline the severe problem of exhausted truck drivers. Still, the FMCSA is pushing to increase the amount of time that truckers can spend behind the wheel. This is despite the fact that 80% of polled individuals stated they believe tired truck drivers pose a serious danger on the road.

For more information and a free review of your case, contact our team. We're here to help.

Case Results

Check Out Our Victories

  • $8 Billion Top 3 Largest Jury Verdict in U.S. History Arnold & Itkin tried a case against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn about a drug’s most damaging side effects: gynecomastia. Our skill, hard work, and dedication resulted in the third-largest jury verdict ever obtained for an individual ...
  • $357 Million Largest Workplace Accident Settlement in Texas history Arnold & Itkin LLP secured a massive nine-figure settlement against a transnational corporation for a workplace incident. The settlement set a Texas record for being the largest personal injury settlement in the state’s history.
  • $222 Million Record-Breaking Verdict for Widow Our firm won $222 million for a woman who lost her husband in an industrial accident caused by a faulty valve. We took the case to trial because the at-fault company refused to take responsibility. The jury saw through the corporate lies and double ...
  • $205 Million Confidential Settlement Obtained for Numerous Clients Arnold & Itkin reached a record $205,000,000 settlement on behalf of clients after several years of hard-fought litigation. The case settled just before trial was set to begin.
  • $193 Million Settlement Won for Victims of Pipeline Explosion Offshore injury lawyers at Arnold & Itkin fought for two workers who were injured in a pipeline explosion at sea, one of whom passed away. Our relentless investigation and advocacy resulted in a nine-figure settlement that will provide for our ...
  • $171 Million One of the Largest Confidential Settlements in History Arnold & Itkin worked over the course of several years to represent clients in a case that many other law firms turned down. In the end, we were able to obtain a record-setting confidential settlement.
  • $139 Million Massive Settlement Achieved for Victims of an Oilfield Incident Arnold & Itkin LLP negotiated a huge $139,000,000 settlement for injured families affected by an oilfield incident in the eastern United States, settling one week before trial.
  • $125 Million Settlement Won for Widow of Dredge Worker Offshore lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP won a nine-figure settlement for a woman who lost her husband in a pipeline explosion. By pushing the case toward trial, our firm pressured the defendant into settling with our client, allowing her to rebuild ...
  • $117 Million Largest Single-Event Personal Injury Verdict in Louisiana History Arnold & Itkin represented a pregnant woman who experienced stomach pain and called Acadian Ambulance. The driver of the ambulance drove the ambulance into the back of a sugar cane truck causing the plaintiff's spine to be severed at T4 and for her ...
  • $116 Million Confidential Settlement Arnold & Itkin LLP negotiated a massive nine figure settlement on behalf of their clients after several years of hard fought litigation.
See All Results

It was just a pleasure to work with them. They’re all very friendly and honest with you. They don’t sugarcoat nothing.

Stacy Widow of Barge Accident Victim

Secure Your Future & Request a 100% Free Consultation

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • This isn't a valid email address.
    Please enter your email address.
  • This isn't a valid phone number.
    Please enter your phone number.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.