Intrastate Commercial Vehicle Regulations
Demanding Responsibility From In-State Carriers
When logging trucks, coal trucks and other commercial vehicles carry excessive loads, are poorly maintained, are driven by fatigued drivers or are otherwise operated unsafely, those actions can result in major accidents causing serious injuries and death. That is why Alabama has safety regulations for large commercial trucks.
At Fischer, Goldasich & Aughtman LLC, in Birmingham, Alabama, we hold truck drivers, trucking companies and truck manufacturers accountable for violating safety regulations and causing danger to others. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury and wrongful death lawyers.
Analyzing Cases Under Alabama's Specific Regulations
Certain types of commercial vehicles are typically operated by companies whose vehicles do not leave Alabama and are therefore not directly regulated by the federal government. These vehicles include logging trucks, dump trucks and coal trucks.
The companies and drivers who operate these vehicles often believe that they do not have to follow safety regulations because they are "intrastate" carriers. Those who believe this, however, are completely mistaken.
The Alabama Public Service Commission has used its state rulemaking authority to apply the federal motor carrier safety regulations to all large commercial vehicles operating within the state.
Although the written rules are the same at the federal and state levels, the way these rules are interpreted and applied may differ. Our attorneys are very familiar with the specific ways in which courts have applied intrastate commercial vehicle regulations in truck accident cases.
Supporting Claims With Evidence of Safety Violations
As with the federal regulations, the intrastate regulations do not directly determine the outcome of a commercial vehicle accident personal injury or wrongful death case. They can, however, help your lawyer establish who was liable for the accident, and in some cases, proven safety violations may give rise to punitive damages.
If you've been injured or lost a loved one in a commercial vehicle accident involving an intrastate carrier, don't hesitate to contact us so our team of experienced Alabama attorneys can begin working on your case.