Trucking Company Violated Hours-of-Service Rules—How It Helps Your Case

Etemi Law | Connecticut Personal Injury Firm | (203) 409-8424

When a massive 18-wheeler barrels down the highway, we trust that its driver is rested, alert, and obeying the law. But what happens when that trust is shattered—when a fatigued trucker, pushed by unrealistic deadlines, causes a devastating crash?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, you need to know one critical factor that could turn the tide in your case: violations of Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations.
At Etemi Law, we understand how to use these violations to strengthen your case, demand accountability, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

What Are Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict HOS rules designed to keep overtired drivers off the road. Key requirements include:

• 11-Hour Driving Limit: Drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

• 14-Hour Window: No driving beyond 14 consecutive hours after starting a shift.

• Mandatory 30-Minute Break: After 8 cumulative hours of driving without a break.

• Weekly Limits: No more than 60/70 hours on duty over 7/8 consecutive days; requires a 34-hour reset.

These regulations exist for one reason: fatigue kills. When companies pressure drivers to ignore them, the results can be catastrophic—and legally actionable.

How HOS Violations Can Supercharge Your Personal Injury Case

1. Proving Negligence

At the heart of any personal injury case is negligence—proving that someone failed to act with reasonable care.
If a trucking company or driver violated HOS rules, they have already broken federal safety laws. That’s strong evidence of negligence you can leverage.

Simply put: if the driver shouldn’t have been on the road when the crash happened, it strengthens your claim.

2. Proving Causation

It’s not enough to prove rules were broken—you must also connect those violations to your injuries.
Fatigue-related driving behaviors—delayed reactions, poor judgment, lane drifting—are well-documented.
When combined with crash evidence, they create a powerful argument that the accident—and your injuries—were caused by HOS violations.

3. Expanding Liability to the Trucking Company

If HOS violations are discovered, it’s not just the driver who’s responsible—the trucking company may also be held liable.
Especially if:

• They pressured drivers to falsify logs.

• They failed to monitor compliance.

• They incentivized dangerous schedules.

This expanded liability often means more insurance coverage and deeper pockets—critical for securing full compensation.

4. Gathering Ironclad Evidence

An experienced trucking accident attorney knows how to dig deep for critical evidence, including:

• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Most trucks now have automatic logs showing driving hours.

• Dispatch Records: Show unreasonable schedules.

• GPS and Telematics Data: Reveal vehicle movements and stops.

• Driver Logs and Trip Sheets: Can expose inconsistencies or fabrications.

• Surveillance and Inspection Reports: Offer third-party evidence of violations.

When these records show clear violations, your case becomes a formidable force insurance companies are far less likely to fight in court.

5. Pressuring Insurance Companies to Settle

When insurers see that HOS violations are involved, they often scramble to settle.
Why?

• Violations make the company look negligent—and juries don’t like corporations putting profits over people.

• Courts may award punitive damages—damages meant to punish reckless behavior—not just compensate the victim.

In short: HOS violations shift leverage to your side.

Why You Need a Trucking Accident Attorney Immediately

Trucking companies and their insurers move fast after accidents—often within hours—to control the narrative.
They’ll send investigators to the scene, repair or move vehicles, and even “lose” critical documents if they think it will save them money.

You need a legal team that knows how to:

• Secure evidence quickly before it’s altered or destroyed.

• Subpoena driver logs, ELD data, and corporate communications.

• Consult accident reconstruction experts.

• Challenge insurance company tactics designed to minimize your claim.

At Etemi Law, we bring the fight to them—from day one.

What You Should Do After a Trucking Accident

If you’re involved in a trucking accident, protect your rights immediately:

1. Seek Medical Attention

Even if you feel “okay,” injuries like concussions, spinal damage, or internal bleeding may not be immediately obvious.

2. Document the Scene

If safe, photograph:

• Vehicle positions

• Road conditions

• Company names/logos on the truck

• Any visible injuries

Get contact information for witnesses.

3. Report the Crash

File a police report and give an honest but limited statement. Do not speculate or apologize—it can be used against you.

4. Preserve Evidence

Save:

• Medical records

• Repair bills

• Employment documentation if you miss work

• All communications with insurers

5. Contact a Trucking Accident Attorney ASAP

The sooner you have an experienced lawyer, the stronger your position.

Conclusion

When trucking companies violate Hours-of-Service regulations, they don’t just break federal laws—they gamble with lives.
If you’ve been injured because a driver was too tired to drive safely, you have a right to demand accountability—and substantial compensation.

At Etemi Law, we know the trucking industry’s tricks—and we know how to beat them.
We dig deeper, fight harder, and demand more because your recovery deserves nothing less.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a trucking accident, call Etemi Law today at (203) 409-8424 for a free consultation.
We’ll help you turn their negligence into your justice.