Commercial Vehicle Guidelines in Washington State

Commercial trucks often outweigh typical family vehicles by as much as 76,000 pounds when fully loaded, placing others on the road at risk of severe or catastrophic injuries in a collision. The National Safety Council (NSC) warns that over 70% of truck accident injuries and fatalities occur to those in other vehicles, rather than the truck driver. Because of the inherent dangers of smaller vehicles sharing the roads with immense commercial vehicles, the trucking industry is subject to both federal and state regulations in Washington State.

If a truck driver or company failed to follow state or federal trucking regulations and caused your injuries, a Kent truck accident attorney from Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation.

Federal Trucking Regulations

Trucks often cross over state lines and sometimes pass through international borders. For this reason, the trucking industry must comply with regulations issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Federal guidelines for commercial vehicles include the following:

• Truck and cargo weight limits
• Driver qualification requirements
• Hours of service (HOS), or driving hour limits, off-duty time requirements, and break time regulations
• Hour logging requirements
• Load-securing regulations
• Truck maintenance requirements
• Maintenance logs
• Driver drug and alcohol testing requirements for hiring and at random
• Guidelines for transporting hazardous materials

All vehicles must meet FMCSA regulations if they meet the definition of a commercial vehicle. This typically includes trucks weighing 26,001 pounds or more, vehicles transporting hazardous cargo, and buses carrying 16 or more passengers. A truck accident lawyer in Kent, WA, understands these complex federal requirements and can identify when violations occurred.

Washington State Trucking Laws and Requirements

Like all states, Washington imposes state-specific truck regulations and requires trucks that cross state lines to comply with FMCSA regulations. For instance, in Washington, the following laws apply to trucks driven within the state or trucks from other states that enter Washington:

• To obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a driver must be at least 18 years old for driving within the state, and at least 21 years old for interstate driving or for transporting hazardous materials
• Truck drivers may not exceed 60 miles per hour, including on highways with 70 miles per hour speed limits
• Trucks may not use the left lane on multi-lane highways with three or more lanes.
• Drivers must have state-specific licensing endorsements for transporting some types of cargo
• Drivers must be proficient in English
• Truck tires must be outfitted with chains during the winter months
• Drivers must pass a basic medical examination
• Cargo must meet the state’s freight securement requirements and weight distribution methods per axle
• A truck’s exhaust system must meet emissions standards set by the state’s Department of Ecology

A truck driver who enters Washington from another state must be familiar with Washington’s state-specific guidelines and follow the state laws as well as adhere to federal regulations. If you believe violations of these state or federal regulations contributed to your accident, a truck accident attorney can help you investigate and build your case.

How Can a Kent Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?

When a truck driver or trucking company violates one or more state or federal regulations, it’s a breach of their duty of care to others on the road as well as a traffic violation. When a breach of duty causes an accident with injuries, the injury victim is entitled to recover damages from the at-fault party, like medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. A truck accident attorney has the experience and resources to investigate regulatory violations and build a strong case on your behalf.

Like other types of injury cases, truck accident claims require the expertise of a personal injury attorney who understands both the legal complexities and the serious nature of injuries often sustained in commercial vehicle collisions.

Contact a Kent truck accident lawyer from Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers at (206) 312-0954 for experienced representation and a greater chance of a favorable outcome, even against powerful trucking companies and their large insurers.