Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations

Truck drivers work long daily and weekly hours on a continual basis. Many accidents are caused by drivers who drive carelessly because they are sleepy, less alert and react slower to crisis situations. The FMCSA established Hours of Service (HOS) regulations to reduce driver fatigue and increase safety.

What are Hours of Service Regulations?

Within the FMCSA Regulations are a set of rules referred to as Hours of Service (HOS). These regulations are designed to prevent tired truckers from getting behind the wheel and causing serious accidents.

  • No more than 11 hours driving following 10 consecutive hours off duty
  • No more than 14 total hours driving and working after starting a shift
  • No more than 60 hours in a 7-day period or 70 hours in 8 days

Truck drivers are required to keep a detailed logbook showing their compliance with the Hours of Service regulations. This includes recording their duty status every 24 hours, including total miles driven and total hours worked.

“On-duty” time includes time when a driver is conducting any work for a motor carrier outside of driving. This includes things such as loading and unloading their trailers.


Driver Fatigue Resulting from HOS Violations

Listed among the most common causes of trucking accidents, you will find fatigued, sleepy or tired drivers, someone who has been driving too long and too many hours without rest.

HOS rules put limits on how long a driver can operate a vehicle and be on duty before they must take a break. Driver fatigue resulting from a HOS violation is considered negligent behavior.


Establishing HOS Violations as Part of Your Claim

The truck accident attorneys at Nash & Franciskato know how to identify when truck drivers have been driving in excess of the Hours of Service laws. We understand the regulations, how they apply in different situations and know how to determine if these rules have been violated.

Logbooks are used to keep track of when drivers are on duty, off duty and actually driving. We will thoroughly investigate your accident, which will include examining a driver’s logbook, plus other records such as:

  • Cell phone records
  • Credit and debit card transactions
  • Video from toll booth, security and intersection cameras
  • Gas receipts and toll tickets
  • The truck’s black box data records

We know how to handle truck accident claims, taking the burden off your shoulders and enabling you to concentrate on what matters most: healing and recovering from the accident.


Proven Results

  • $1.1 million total settlement for a driver struck from behind by a tractor-trailer whose driver had violated federal regulations for driving and logging hours.

More Case Results


Receive a Free Evaluation from Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck accidents due to fatigue can be devastating, leaving you suffering from severe physical and emotional injuries. Nash & Franciskato, a Kansas City based personal injury law firm, represents those injured in trucking accidents.

If you need to understand your legal options and the likelihood of obtaining compensation after an accident, contact our experienced trucking accident attorneys for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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