Commercial trucks keep Texas moving, but driver fatigue remains one of the most dangerous risks on the road. Federal rules, known as hours-of-service regulations, are designed to prevent tired truckers from causing devastating collisions. Yet, when trucking companies push drivers to ignore these limits, innocent motorists pay the price.
That’s where an experienced Texas truck accident attorney steps in—to uncover evidence of hours-of-service violations and hold negligent trucking companies accountable.
What Are Hours of Service Regulations and Why Do They Matter?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created hours of service (HOS) rules to limit how long truck drivers can operate before resting. These laws are meant to reduce fatigue-related crashes.
Key limits under HOS rules include:
- 11-hour driving limit. Drivers may operate a commercial truck for up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour shift window. Drivers must complete their work within 14 hours after coming on duty.
- 30-minute breaks. After eight cumulative hours of driving, a 30-minute break is required.
- 60 or 70-hour weekly cap. Drivers cannot exceed 60 hours on duty in seven days or 70 hours in eight days. The time restarts after 34 consecutive hours off duty.
Exceptions to these rules may apply in some instances, such as adverse weather conditions or short-haul trips.
How Can You Tell if a Truck Driver Violated Hours of Service Rules?
After a serious truck crash, it’s not always obvious whether fatigue played a role. Trucking companies often move quickly to protect themselves, and evidence of rule violations can disappear fast. However, a knowledgeable Texas truck accident attorney knows how to find the truth hidden in the details. For example, our team will consider:
- Erratic driving before the crash. Weaving, drifting, or delayed braking may indicate exhaustion.
- Incomplete or inconsistent logbooks. Drivers must track hours electronically. Missing data can suggest falsification.
- Delivery schedules that don’t add up. Unrealistic routes often reveal that drivers were working beyond legal limits.
- Communication records. Texts, GPS logs, or dispatch instructions may prove that a company allowed or encouraged drivers to work illegal hours.
Attorneys may work with accident reconstruction specialists and use subpoena power to gather evidence.
What Evidence Helps Prove an Hours of Service Violation in a Texas Truck Accident?
Building a successful case requires gathering and preserving multiple types of evidence. Time is critical. Truck companies are only required to keep driver logs for six months, and many start internal investigations immediately after a crash.
A Dallas-Fort Worth attorney will often seek:
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) and GPS records. These confirm how long the truck was moving and where rest breaks occurred.
- Fuel and toll receipts. These timestamps can contradict falsified driving logs.
- Surveillance or dashcam footage. Roadside cameras or other vehicles may capture erratic driving behavior.
- Dispatch and scheduling data. Internal communications can reveal pressure from the company to meet unrealistic deadlines.
When these records are reviewed together, they often tell a clear story if a driver was pushed beyond safe limits, and that fatigue directly led to the collision.
What Compensation Is Possible After a Dallas-Fort Worth Truck Accident?
Hours of service violations can dramatically strengthen a personal injury claim. If fatigue played a role, your attorney may use this evidence to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including but not limited to hospital stays, rehabilitation, and future care needs
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
In severe cases, courts may impose punitive damages to punish those who show a reckless disregard for safety.
What Should You Do If You Were Hurt by a Tired Trucker in Dallas-Fort Worth?
If you suspect fatigue contributed to your crash, taking prompt action can protect your rights and preserve crucial evidence. It is essential to:
- Seek medical attention. Even minor symptoms could indicate serious internal injuries.
- Avoid direct communication with the trucking company or insurer. They may attempt to settle quickly before key evidence is discovered.
- Contact a Texas truck accident attorney. Legal counsel can send preservation letters to secure driver logs, ELD data, and other crucial records before they’re destroyed.
- Document everything. Photos, witness names, and your own notes can strengthen your case later.
We are familiar with Dallas-Fort Worth’s roads, from I-35 and I-20 to the George Bush Turnpike and local roads, and understand how fatigue-related truck crashes often unfold. We know that there may be multiple liable parties and how to gather evidence to protect your rights. Attorney Hunt Bonneau speaks up for all his clients and works hard to ensure they are treated fairly.