What are the Trucking Regulations in Georgia?

What are the trucking regulations in Georgia? These include hours of service (HOS), truck weight, and driver’s license regulations.

A Duluth truck accident lawyer can teach you about the trucking regulations in Georgia and how they apply to your personal injury case.

What Hours of Service Trucking Regulations in Georgia are

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) restricts the number of hours that a trucker can drive their vehicle consecutively. It does so through HOS regulations. If a truck driver chooses not to comply with these mandates, they are prone to fatigue and exhaustion that can lead to accidents. 

A Duluth truck accident attorney can determine if HOS regulations were violated during your trucking crash. If so, your lawyer could use a truck’s black box data and trucker logs to prove this point. Your body of evidence could help you recover damages from the truck driver or their employer. 

Slam Dunk Attorney is a Georgia personal injury law firm with decades of combined legal experience on staff. We can provide insights into HOS requirements, along with what to expect when you are in a trucking accident and what to do about it. Contact us for more information. 

How the Trucking Regulations in Georgia Relate to Truck Weight

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has state truck size and weight limit laws. Certain trucking regulations in GA relative to weight exceed federal limits. These include allowing:

• A maximum weight of 20,340 lbs. on a single axle
• A maximum weight of 40,680 lbs. on a tandem axle if a truck is traveling on a non-interstate highway
• A maximum weight of 61,020 lbs. on a tridem axle if a truck is traveling on a non-interstate highway

An overloaded truck can exceed the legally permitted weight on Georgia roads. The truck driver may be susceptible to accidents, as they may not be able to stop their vehicle quickly enough or could tip or roll their vehicle. A trucker, trucking company, or a third party could be held liable for a commercial truck accident in which the vehicle is overloaded.

What You Need to Know About Driver’s License Regulations for Truckers in Georgia

There are trucking regulations in the State of Georgia for those who want to drive a commercial truck. You must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate a large truck. Requirements to get this license include:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Having a valid Georgia driver’s license
• Maintaining a Georgia commercial learner’s permit (CLP) for at least 14 days
• Passing a vision test and written and practical exams

If a truck company lets a trucker operate a vehicle without a valid license, this business and the driver can be liable for an accident. A trucking crash lawyer can describe what you can do to request compensation from any liable parties after such an incident. They can guide you through how the truck accident lawsuit process works and answer questions you have about it. 

How to Get Compensation After an Accident in Which Georgia Trucking Regulations Were Violated

Seek legal help as soon as you can following an accident in which Georgia trucking regulations were violated. A personal injury lawyer with relevant case experience can help you request compensation in alignment with the statute of limitations for a truck accident claim. They can provide tips to assist you during the legal process, such as:

Determine How Much Your Case Is Worth 

Let a trucking collision lawyer account for your economic and non-economic damages. They will encourage you to ask for compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses. Your attorney can position you to secure fair compensation. 

Identify Any Liable Parties

Tell your lawyer about your accident and what led to it happening. Your attorney can identify who is to blame for your crash. They can look for ways to prove one or more parties violated Georgia’s truck regulations. 

Collect Evidence

Work with your attorney to gather proof to support your case. Witness statements, a truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, and other evidence can help you prove negligence. Your evidence could compel a judge or jury to award maximum damages. 

Do Not Discuss Your Case with a Liable Party or Their Insurer

Notify your attorney if a liable party or their insurance carrier contacts you about your case. If this occurs, either party could try to get you to take accountability for your accident. Alternatively, your lawyer can speak about your case and keep you updated. 

Take Care of Yourself

Continue to receive medical care if you were injured in a trucking crash. Follow your doctor’s orders and share updates about your health and well-being with your attorney. You can use your medical bills as proof against a liable party. 

Repair or Replace Your Damaged Car

Bring your car to a reputable mechanic who can evaluate the damage to your car. You may need to repair or replace your vehicle. Track your car repair or replacement costs, rental expenses, and other vehicle charges associated with your accident, as these can strengthen your case. 

Do Not Accept a Lowball Settlement

Review a settlement offer with your attorney. Remember, you are not required to approve a settlement proposal. If an offer is less than what you want, you can decline the offer and continue with your litigation.

The legal process can be overwhelming. Your lawyer focuses on helping you bounce back from your truck collision and injuries during this time. As the process moves forward, your attorney communicates and collaborates with you and makes sure you are ready for your trial date. 

Select a Trial Lawyer Who Will Give You a Great Shot of Rebounding from Your Trucking Crash and Injury

Slam Dunk Attorney understands how difficult it can be to prove that someone violated trucking requirements in Georgia. 

We can connect you with a trial attorney who can help you show that a party violated truck regulations and should be held accountable for your trucking accident and injuries. Request a case consultation with us.