Truck Accidents: DOT Regulation

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC Truck Accident Attorneys

Department of Transportation Regulations and Truck Accidents

Federal trucking laws are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of trucking accidents. In addition, states often have their own separate trucking laws. Some trucking carriers, though, view such regulations as a costly burden, and either skirt, ignore, or encourage their employees to ignore, provisions of trucking laws that are inconvenient. Unfortunately such actions can often increase the likelihood that accidents occur.

If were injured or lost a loved one in a trucking accident that may have been the result of a carrier violating trucking laws in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC the personal attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. can help you fight for the rights or punish those responsible. Please call or email us today for a free case evaluation.

Maryland Department of Transportation Regulations

The Maryland Department of Transportation maintains strict regulations for truck carriers operating within the state. This includes the state's Preventive Maintenance Program, designed to reduce poor truck maintenance that can cause truck accidents. This program requires that all trucks be inspected, maintained, and repaired at least every 25,000 miles or 12 months, which occurs first. The Preventive Maintenance Program also requires that appropriate maintenance records be kept.

The Maryland Department of Transportation also governs the requirements for a driver to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) for operating a commercial motor vehicle, defined as a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, designed to transport 16 or more passengers, or trucks used to transport hazardous materials. Farm vehicles, emergency vehicles, Department of Defense vehicles, and motor homes are exempt from the CDL requirement.

Virginia Department of Transportation

In Virginia, trucking regulations fall under the Department of Motor Vehicles, which is a separate agency from the Department of Transportation, which primarily deals with the building and maintenance of roadways. The Department of Motor Vehicles regulates CDL requirements, weigh stations, and load restrictions for trucks in Virginia.

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a trucking accident, you may not know which laws were violated that may have contributed to the accident, but the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC truck accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. can find out. Contact us today to learn how our expertise in trucking accidents can help you.

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