Federal Hours-of-Service Rules for Truck Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), regulates trucking. Its rules apply to most long-haul and interstate truck drivers operating in Arizona. The agency has hours-of-service (HOS) rules to reduce driver fatigue-related crashes. Its regulations cover driving and rest cycles for commercial drivers, and how time on duty but not driving affects the hours they are allowed on the road.
Failure to follow FMCSA regulations can contribute to truck accidents. If you were injured in a crash with a fatigued truck driver, several types of HOS violations may serve as evidence of negligence in a personal injury case.
11-Hour Driving Limit
Under FMCSA Hours of Service Regulations, truck drivers may drive up to 11 hours after having 10 consecutive hours off. The agency created this rule to prevent fatigued driving. However, drivers sometimes stay on the road beyond the limit, which can lead to dangerous and drowsy driving.
14-Hour Workday Window
A driver may not drive after being on duty for 14 consecutive hours following 10 consecutive hours off. Breaks and time spent on other responsibilities, such as loading trucks, count as part of this 14-hour workday. This rule helps combat the effects of fatigue accumulating during a long workday.
30-Minute Break Requirement
Truck drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. They may remain on duty (for example, completing logs), but they can’t drive. If driver data shows a violation of this rule, that may indicate negligence in the event of a crash.
60- and 70-Hour Weekly Limits
Drivers must have 34 or more consecutive hours off duty after being on duty for 60 hours in seven days or 70 hours in eight days. All on-duty time counts toward the 60 or 70-hour limits, not just driving time.
Trucking companies sometimes pressure drivers to exceed this limit to meet delivery deadlines and increase profits. Doing so can make it liable in an accident that was the fatigued driver’s fault.
Why These Limits Matter in Arizona Truck Accidents
Exceeding HOS truck driver driving limits puts commercial drivers and everyone else on the road at serious risk, especially on busy Arizona highways. Violations of HOS regulations are evidence of negligence, and proving them strengthens your case for compensation after an accident.
A strong legal strategy in a fatigued-driver truck accident case starts with gathering evidence, such as logbooks and the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) and looking for HOS violations. With proof that fatigue likely played a role in the driver’s behavior, a skilled attorney can then draw a clear line from HOS violations to liability, and from there to your damages.
Fatigue as a Leading Cause of Truck Crashes
FMCSA-sponsored studies have found that fatigue leads to slower reaction times and impaired judgment. For instance, in the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, researchers found that driver fatigue was a contributing factor in an estimated 13 percent of crashes.
Other FMCSA studies on truck driver fatigue found that 65 percent of truck drivers reported often or sometimes feeling drowsy while driving. Nearly 50 percent of truck drivers admitted that they had fallen asleep while driving in the previous year.
According to an FMCSA Summary Report, there were 156,658 large truck crashes in the United States in 2024, including 2,552 in Arizona. Based on the research, truck driver fatigue and potentially HOS violations likely contributed to thousands of those crashes.
Violations May Establish Negligence
Evidence that the driver violated FMCSA HOS limits can demonstrate negligence in a truck accident claim. Proof of violations may lie in driver logbooks, dispatch records, delivery schedules, and mandatory ELDs, which are sometimes called black boxes.
Our knowledgeable truck accident attorneys collect ELD data, driver logbooks, and other evidence to establish whether HOS violations contributed to a crash. We will also determine if the driver in your crash exceeded daily driving limits by three hours or more, which federal law treats as an egregious HOS violation.
Common Injuries in Fatigued Truck Driver Accidents
Injuries in truck accidents are often severe. They can lead to short and long-term health problems, require significant rehabilitation, and cause temporary or permanent disability. Common injuries in Arizona truck accidents include:
- Crushed, fractured, and broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury and paralysis
- Head and neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injury
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Severe burns
- Crushing injuries
What Damages Can I Receive for a Fatigued Truck Accident in Arizona?
Truck accident victims can seek compensation for their economic damages (financial losses) and their non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering). The amount of money you receive for a truck accident claim depends on many factors, including your injuries and whether you are partially to blame for causing the accident.
Damages you may receive for a truck accident claim include:
- Property damage
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Physical discomfort
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Impairments and disabilities
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished quality of life
- Long-term care
- Reductions in earning capacity
Other damages may be available as well, based on the unique facts of the case.
How Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Crash
Truck accidents often involve complex legal issues, large corporations, and aggressive insurance companies. Our personal injury lawyers have the skills, resources, and experience to handle these challenges and protect your rights at every step.
Truck Accident Case Results from Our Runion Truck Accident Lawyers
We have a client-focused approach and offer clear communication, strategic guidance, and a 99 percent success rate. Some of our notable truck accident recoveries include:
$2,135,000
- Truck Accident
Our client suffered a life-changing injury when a stand-up loader fell on him due to inadequate truck securing by the driver. Despite the insurance company’s refusal to offer a settlement before litigation, we were able to successfully prove disputed liability and secure a result of $2.135 million for our client.
$937,500
- Truck Accident
Runion Personal Injury Lawyers obtained a settlement in the amount of $937,500.00 for a young man who was struck from behind by a tow truck while traveling in an Uber. The tow truck was carrying another vehicle at the time of the collision adding significant weight to the tow truck.
We understand that the insurance and legal processes can be frustrating and complicated. That’s why we handle everything for you, from investigating violations to negotiating with insurers.
Investigating Driving Hour Violations
Our respected attorneys know what to look for in ELD data, dispatch logs, and driver statements to find evidence of HOS violations. We also have the legal skills to take that information and use it to prove liability. Our founding partner, Derick Runion, has previous experience with the insurance industry, which gives him an advantage when negotiating for our clients.
Holding Trucking Companies Accountable
Some trucking companies try to increase profits by pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines. That’s why we fight to prove driver and company liability. Under federal motor carrier insurance laws, trucking companies must have significant coverage on each vehicle. We don’t let insurers get away with tactics to deny or minimize compensation.
We have a 99 percent success rate and offer a Net Recovery Guarantee. You never pay us legal fees that exceed your recovery from the case.
Helping Victims Get Better, Get Compensated, and Get Justice
Our firm has a client-first approach, doing everything we can to assist those injured by others. We offer free consultations and don’t charge upfront fees, so finances aren’t a barrier to getting award-winning legal representation. Our team provides services in English and Spanish.
We know you’re hurting right now, and we want to help you get better. Our dedicated team will support you through every phase of healing and recovery. We’ve been providing full-service legal assistance since 2011, so we know what Arizona injury victims want and need to do. Get Better. Get Compensated. Get Justice.
Hear From Our Past Truck Accident Clients
We want the injured to focus on healing, not on battling insurance companies. Client testimonials praising our work provide a true measure of our success.
Runion Personal Injury Lawyers truly came through for me after my truck accident. Between my injuries, my wrecked car, and a shady trucking insurance company, I didn’t know what to do. Their team handled everything from start to finish, knew A LOT about Truck law in Phoenix, AZ and fought to get me the compensation I deserved!! I couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and supportive group! ❤️🙏🏼
Jessica J.
I was rear-ended by this truck on the highway which left me completely swamped with medical and insurance bills. I didn’t even have enough money to have my car fixed. But Runion Personal Injury Lawyers are like the best car accident lawyers I could ever ask for. They fought against the insurance company and got me a fast settlement. I was able to pay off of all my bills and even fix my car. They are literally the best lawyer in Arizona.
Taelor G.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer for Help After a Crash
If you were hurt in a truck accident, reach out to Runion Personal Injury Lawyers for personalized legal assistance. We understand trucking laws, such as how long a truck driver is allowed to drive, and we know the challenges that people in Arizona face when they suddenly have physical, emotional, and financial damages from a crash.
Our case results include recovering $50 million for our deserving clients, and we’ll explain your claims options clearly, with no pressure.
Contact our experienced truck accident lawyers today by calling 602-825-3502 or completing our online form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our knowledgeable Arizona personal injury lawyers are always ready to answer questions. These are some of the more common ones we hear regarding Arizona truck accident claims.
Do Arizona Laws Differ From Federal Truck Driver Limits?
Arizona generally follows federal HOS regulations. Local delivery drivers may meet exceptions to HOS regulations, depending on their cargo and whether they operate within a 150-mile radius.
What Happens if a Truck Driver Breaks HOS Rules?
Violations may result in civil penalties, including fines, license suspensions, and out-of-service orders. Drivers and trucking companies also face civil liability for HOS violations, as they can support a negligence claim in a truck accident claim. Knowingly falsifying HOS records could result in criminal charges.
Can I Sue a Trucking Company for a Fatigued Driving Accident?
Yes, especially if the company encouraged or ignored HOS violations. Our truck accident attorneys gather evidence from multiple sources to help victims build strong liability cases.
How Long Do I Have To Sue a Trucking Company After a Truck Accident?
The Arizona personal injury statute of limitations grants you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. A judge will dismiss your claim if you miss the deadline, so contact a respected truck accident lawyer quickly.
