What Federal and State Rules Apply to Semi-Truck Accidents in Washington?

• September 09, 2024
• Truck Accident

Semi-trucks are typically 20 to 30 times heavier than the average passenger car. So, when these enormous vehicles get into accidents, they can cause serious damage.

The legalities involved in accidents like these are different as well; because semi-trucks are usually commercial vehicles, the responsibility for accidents they cause may fall on the companies that own them, rather than the drivers.

These complex cases require a detailed knowledge of the various regulations that apply to commercial trucks. Depending on the situation, these rules may come from either the state or federal level.

So, what federal and state rules apply to semi-truck accidents in Washington? This post will guide you through the various regulations that could affect your claim.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) are a set of rules established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to govern the operation of commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks, across the United States.

Overview of FMCSR

FMCSR sets out safety standards in every area, including:

• Driver qualifications; every truck driver working in the U.S. must have a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
• Medical exams and drug and alcohol testing for drivers.
• Hours of service (HOS) (this includes workweek limits, maximum driving time, and break requirements).
• Vehicle maintenance.
• The transport of hazardous materials.

How FMCSR Impacts Semi-Truck Operations in Washington

FMCSR applies to all commercial vehicles that operate across state lines or carry goods destined for interstate commerce. These regulations can apply to trucks on intrastate journeys if the trucks (or the company in charge of them) also do state-to-state journeys. This means that most semi-trucks you encounter on the highways are subject to these federal regulations.

Failure to comply with federal regulations can lead to serious legal consequences, including fines, penalties, and even suspension of operating privileges. Moreover, non-compliance with FMCSR can play a significant role in determining liability in the event of an accident.  If you’ve been in an accident involving a semi-truck, this will be an important consideration in your case.

Say you get into a collision with a truck driver who has been on the road for 20 hours straight, and so is clearly in violation of hours of service (HOS) regulations. There is no clear evidence to say the truck driver was at fault for the crash; however, their logbook shows they had been driving for too long. In such a case, it’s possible the court would regard this violation as evidence of fault on the truck driver’s part, making it more likely that your case has a positive result.

In order to present the strongest possible case in a situation like this, it’s important to work with an experienced truck accident lawyer.

Washington State Laws for Semi-Trucks

Federal regulations typically take precedence over state laws when it comes to interstate commerce. However, for trucks that only travel within state boundaries, Washington’s rules apply. These rules are tailored to the specific aims of the state’s policymakers and the conditions of its roadways.

Various state authorities set out the rules in the commercial trucking industry here, including the:

• Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
• Washington Department of Licensing (DOL)
• Washington State Patrol
• Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission

If you’re interested in reading about state-specific commercial trucking laws in greater detail, you should refer to the Washington State Commercial Vehicle Guide. Published by the four agencies listed above, it details all the state’s commercial trucking rules, as administered by state law.

Liability in Semi-Truck Accidents

A key concept in establishing liability in truck accident cases is that of vicarious liability. This legal doctrine can hold an employer responsible for harm caused by their employees in the course of their working duties. So, when a truck driver causes an accident while they’re on the clock, the company the driver works for may end up footing the bill.

Vicarious liability for the employer can apply even if the driver is at fault and there is no direct negligence on the part of the company or any of its managers. However, there are situations in which it will not apply, such as where:

• The truck driver is acting outside the scope of their working duties. This might be the case if, for example, they have an accident while carrying out a personal errand in an area that is not on their designated route.
• The driver personally displays severe negligence, such as by driving while intoxicated or speeding. In some cases, though, company policies may encourage negligent driver behavior; in these cases, the companies are liable for any resulting damages. This might happen, for example, if a truck driver has to break speed limits to keep to an unreasonable delivery schedule set out by their employer.
• The company hires the driver as a contractor, rather than a full-time employee. However, this is not a “get out of jail free card” for trucking companies; if a contractor’s working conditions are functionally similar to that of an employee, vicarious liability may still apply.

Situations like these are rarely clear-cut; semi-truck drivers and the companies they work for often get into legal disputes with each other regarding liability for accidents. If you need to file suit following a truck accident, it may be possible to name both the driver and the company as defendants.

If you have been in an accident caused by a semi-truck and you’d like to learn more about how this might work in your case, you should schedule a free initial consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers.

Insurance Requirements for Semi-Trucks

At the federal level, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) generally requires trucking companies to carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance for vehicles transporting non-hazardous goods. For trucks carrying hazardous materials, this minimum requirement can be significantly higher.

Trucking companies operating solely within state lines must adhere to insurance requirements prescribed at the state level. In Washington, the minimum levels of coverage are as follows:

• $300,000 in liability insurance coverage for vehicles hauling household goods only
• $750,000 in liability insurance for trucks carrying general freight
• $5,000,000 in liability insurance for trucks transporting hazardous materials

Filing a Claim After a Semi-Truck Accident

Road accident claims always involve a certain degree of legal complexity, but truck accidents are generally much more complicated than the average collision on the road. If you’ve been hit by a truck, you’ll want to work with a lawyer who understands all the rules and regulations that apply in this area, and who is able to use them to get the best possible result for you.

Contact Montoya Hinckley today to start the process of seeking the compensation you deserve. You can reach us over the phone at 509-895-7373 or fill out our online contact form.