Your Local Legal Experts on Texas Commercial Vehicle Regulations - Top Laredo Law Firm

The Laredo port of entry accounts for about one-third of all international trade in Texas. Thousands of large trucks cross the border every day, carrying every kind of cargo to destinations near and far. Residents of Laredo, Texas, may not directly experience the congested border crossings, but they feel the consequences in the high incidence of truck-related crashes along I-35, US-83, and even more minor local roads. If you’ve recently been involved in such a collision, you may qualify for compensation.

Because commercial vehicle laws are so complex, an expert attorney provides crucial knowledge for litigating truck accident claims. Carabin Shaw’s trusted team of experts has been representing clients in Texas for over thirty years and has won big on their behalf. If you’ve been injured in a big rig collision in Laredo, the driver’s regulatory violations might make a big difference in your case. Contact Carabin Shaw today to discuss the specifics of your case for FREE. If you choose to work with our Texas attorneys, no money is owed unless your case is won.

Most trucking accidents are the result of human error, which could mean a driver misses a traffic signal or poorly handles their vehicle. Many regulations are designed to reduce mistakes by creating safer conditions for drivers and everyone sharing the road with them. Your lawyer will investigate whether a failure to meet one of the following regulations may be evidence of negligence.

By limiting working hours for truck drivers, agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) try to prevent fatigue-related crashes. In Texas, most interstate drivers must follow federal HOS guidelines such as:

• 11-hour driving limit after 10 hours off duty
• 60/70-hour limit over 7/8 days
• Required 30-minute rest breaks

The Laredo TX personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw also know to look for falsified driving records or tampering with electronic logging devices. If a crash occurs, these truck driver logbook violations might allow you more compensation.

Your Texas commercial vehicle regulations attorney could also uncover noncompliance with other important guidelines:

• Vehicles weighing within limits (typically 80,000 pounds) and with permits for oversize loads
• Drivers holding valid commercial driver’s licenses with appropriate endorsements for weight and cargo type
• DOT inspections for vehicles at least every 12 months

A lawyer can connect a detail like overloaded cargo to the reduced maneuverability that caused a devastating wreck. Although drivers are responsible for keeping proper certification and staying safe, their failure to do so can actually expose the motor carrier to greater liability.

It’s often possible—and beneficial to you—to hold a motor carrier accountable instead of the individual driver. But how does a Laredo trucking law expert go about doing this?

Vicarious liability makes trucking companies responsible for their employees’ actions when those employees are working. If your accident happened while a truck driver was on the job, this law probably applies.

In addition, a Laredo commercial vehicle accident lawyer can hold a motor carrier directly liable for negligence like:

• Hiring unqualified drivers
• Failing to train drivers on regulations
• Failing to manage electronic logging devices or ignoring weight violations

For both types of liability, Texas courts can award compensatory or even punitive damages.

If you were injured by a commercial vehicle, don’t rely on the trucking company to act in your best interest. Other parties often deny responsibility or downplay injuries. Instead, take the following actions:

1. Seek medical attention immediately, and gather as much evidence as possible.
2. Read our client reviews to learn about how Carabin Shaw helps others like you navigate the state and federal laws affecting Laredo’s trucking industry.
3. Schedule a free consultation by calling our toll-free number at 800-862-1260 at your convenience.
4. Feel confident moving forward because we offer our services on a contingency basis in English or Spanish.

Whether you need to request protected information like a driver’s logbook or highlight which commercial vehicle laws were violated, our Laredo-based team helps you shape a strong case with every step.

For more information:

• FMCSA
• Texas DPS
• FMCSA