North Dakota, Minnesota & Montana Truck Accident Lawyers

Helping You With Truck Accident Law

Trucks are on the road every hour of every day. Truck drivers travel from coast to coast transporting food, clothing, furniture, equipment, vehicles, and anything else that needs to be shipped around the country. Although truck drivers are trained in safety measures and driving skills, because of the sheer volume of people involved in the industry, a large number of people are injured in trucking accidents each year.

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a trucking accident, the Maring Williams Law Office can help you to protect your rights. Our truck accident lawyers in North Dakota, Minnesota & Montana have extensive experience in handling trucking accident claims. We also have access to experts and other materials which will be helpful in pursuing your claim.

Call (701) 402-6644or contact onlinefor a truck accident lawyer in North Dakota, Minnesota & Montana!

Complex Federal Truck Accident Laws

The U.S. federal trucking regulations are primarily overseen by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is a part of the Department of Transportation (DOT). These regulations are designed to ensure the safety of truck drivers, passengers, and the general public by setting standards for trucking operations, driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, and more.

Here’s an overview of these regulations and the common rules addressing aspects of truck accidents:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations:
  • Maximum Driving Limits: Truck drivers are limited to driving 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
  • 14-Hour Rule: Drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 hours off duty.
  • Rest Breaks: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption.
  • 60/70-Hour Limit: Drivers may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. They can restart a 7/8-day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
• Driver Qualifications:
  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Drivers must possess a valid CDL appropriate for the type of vehicle they operate.
  • Medical Qualifications: Drivers must pass a DOT physical exam and carry a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection:
  • Regular Inspections: Carriers must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all vehicles and keep records of these activities.
  • Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections: Drivers must perform inspections of their vehicles before and after each trip and report any defects.
  • Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs):
  • Recording Driving Hours: Commercial motor vehicle drivers must use ELDs to record their driving hours to ensure compliance with HOS rules.
• Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing:
  • Testing Programs: Carriers must implement testing programs to ensure drivers are not using alcohol or controlled substances while operating vehicles.
  • Pre-Employment, Random, Post-Accident Testing: Drivers are subject to testing before employment, randomly during employment, and following certain types of accidents.

Because trucks often travel among different states, insurance issues are complex and confusing. In our region, we also have a large fleet of truck drivers from Canada. Canadian law and insurance issues are perhaps even more complicated due to their foreign nature.

In addition, laws that pertain to a personal vehicle are often different from those that cover trucks. We understand the intricacies of law pertaining to trucking accidents.

What are Some Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents can be caused by numerous factors, including: