Every day, thousands of commercial trucks travel across California’s highways — from the 5 Freeway to the 405 and the congested routes of Downtown Los Angeles. While most truck drivers operate responsibly, some push beyond federally regulated limits, leading to catastrophic accidents. These limits, known asHours of Service (HOS) regulations, are designed to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
When drivers ignore these laws — or when trucking companies encourage them to — they commit anhours of service violation. The result? Drowsy drivers behind the wheel of 80,000-pound vehicles, pose a serious danger to everyone on the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash caused by an HOS violation, theLos Angeles truck accident lawyers atLA Injury Lawyers can help you pursue justice and full compensation.
What Are Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) createdHours of Service (HOS) regulations to limit how long commercial truck drivers can operate without rest. These laws aim to preventfatigue, one of the leading causes of truck accidents.
Read the full FMCSA Hours of Service regulations here: 49 CFR Part 395 – Hours of Service of Drivers (External link, U.S. Government).
Key HOS rules for property-carrying drivers include:
- 11-hour driving limit: Drivers can drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour window: Drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
- 30-minute rest break: Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving without a break.
- 60/70-hour limit: Drivers cannot drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days.
Violating any of these regulations constitutes anhours of service violation, which can lead to driver fatigue — a condition proven to slow reaction times and impair judgment as severely as alcohol intoxication.
Common Causes of Hours of Service Violations
Despite strict federal rules, violations occur far too often. In California, where trucking is a major part of commerce and port transport, several factors contribute to these dangerous breaches:
- Pressure from Employers – Trucking companies may push drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines to maximize profit.
- Driver Fatigue and Overconfidence – Some drivers underestimate fatigue and believe they can “power through” long shifts.
- Logbook Manipulation – Before the introduction of electronic logging devices (ELDs), falsified paper logs were common. Even with ELDs, tampering still happens.
- Poor Scheduling and Oversight – Dispatchers who fail to track compliance properly may contribute to violations.
- Financial Incentives – Drivers paid by the mile often feel pressured to drive longer hours to earn more.
These practices not only break federal law but also put countless lives at risk on Los Angeles’s already congested roadways.
How Hours of Service Violations Cause Truck Accidents
Fatigued driving is one of the deadliest forms of negligence in the trucking industry. Here’s how an hours of service violation can lead to tragedy:
1. Slower Reaction Times
Sleep-deprived truckers react more slowly to sudden changes — such as traffic congestion, road debris, or vehicles braking ahead.
2. Impaired Judgment
Just like alcohol, fatigue impairs a driver’s ability to assess risks or make split-second decisions safely.
3. Microsleep Episodes
When exhaustion reaches a critical point, drivers can experience brief moments of unconsciousness lasting a few seconds — enough to drift into another lane or off the road entirely.
4. Loss of Coordination
Long hours behind the wheel reduce focus and coordination, increasing the likelihood of lane departures, overcorrections, and rollovers.
5. Increased Stopping Distance
Tired drivers often take longer to brake or misjudge stopping distances, which can cause devastating rear-end collisions.
In the dense traffic ofLos Angeles County, where stop-and-go driving is constant, even a split-second lapse in attention can result in catastrophic multi-vehicle crashes.
Real-World Impact: California’s Truck Accident Statistics
According to theCalifornia Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and theFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, fatigue plays a role in approximately13% of large truck crashes nationwide.
California’sTransportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) reveals that Los Angeles County consistently ranks among the highest in truck-related fatalities, particularly along major freight corridors such as the 10, 405, and 710 freeways.
For detailed state-level accident statistics, review theCalifornia Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) available via the CHP Traffic Safety Program.
Proving Hours of Service Violations in a Truck Accident Case
Proving that a trucker or trucking company violated HOS laws requires a deep understanding of bothfederal regulations andCalifornia’s evidence standards.
AtLA Injury Lawyers, ourLos Angeles truck accident lawyers use advanced investigative techniques to uncover violations such as:
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data analysis
- Reviewing GPS and dispatch records
- Driver logbooks and fuel receipts
- Cell phone and text message records
- Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts
- Maintenance and cargo loading records
These forms of evidence can show when a driver exceeded legal limits or when a company failed to enforce rest periods — both of which can make them liable for your injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable for HOS Violations?
Liability in an hours of service violation case can extend beyond the driver. Possible responsible parties include:
- The Truck Driver: For knowingly violating federal limits.
- The Trucking Company: For pressuring drivers or falsifying records.
- Dispatchers or Supervisors: For negligent scheduling or oversight.
- Third-Party Logistics Providers: For encouraging unsafe delivery times.
Your attorney’s goal is to holdevery negligent party accountable to maximize your compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why You Need Experienced Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers
Truck accident cases are complex, especially when hours of service violations are involved. These cases require detailed evidence, expert witnesses, and an understanding of both state and federal transportation law.
AtLA Injury Lawyers, we bringdecades of combined legal experience representing victims of truck accidents across Southern California. Our team knows how to:
- Investigate driver logs and ELD data.
- Uncover corporate negligence and dispatch practices.
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists.
- Negotiate aggressively with trucking insurance companies.
- Take your case to trial when necessary.
We’ve securedmillions in verdicts and settlements for injured clients throughout Los Angeles, from Downtown to Santa Clarita, Ventura County, and the South Bay.
Common Injuries from Fatigue-Related Truck Accidents
When truck drivers exceed their legal driving hours, the consequences can be devastating. Victims often suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage or paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burn injuries from fuel-related fires
- Wrongful death
These injuries often require lifelong medical care and significant financial resources — costs that negligent trucking companies should pay, not you.
California’s Laws and Statute of Limitations
In California, truck accident victims generally havetwo years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit.
TheCalifornia Vehicle Code § 34501.2 outlines the requirement for motor carriers to comply with federal safety regulations, including HOS rules
You can review this statute directly on the California Legislative Information website.
Trucking companies often start their defense within hours of a collision, so it’s crucial to contact an attorney immediately after a serious accident.
If you suspect your truck accident was caused by anhours-of-service violation, don’t wait to get legal help. ContactLA Injury Lawyers today for afree, no-obligation consultation. We handle every case on ano-win, no-fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Preventing Hours of Service Violations: A Safety Perspective
While legal action can help victims recover financially, the ultimate goal is prevention. Trucking companies can reduce HOS violations by:
- Implementingstrict compliance monitoring with ELD systems.
- Providingdriver fatigue training and wellness programs.
- Scheduling realistic delivery deadlines.
- Encouraging rest and reporting of unsafe practices.
- Conducting regularinternal audits of log data.
TheU.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) also offers ongoing safety updates and HOS compliance guidelines for carriers and drivers.Access their resources here: DOT Hours of Service Guidance.
Contact LA Injury Lawyers Today!
Truck drivers and corporations must follow the law — and when they don’t, innocent people pay the price. If you or someone you love has been injured because of anhours of service violation, the dedicated truck accident lawyers atLA Injury Lawyers are ready to fight for you.
Call 800-HURT-NOW or request your free consultation today.
We’re available 24/7 and serve clients throughout Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and beyond. Call us now at (818) 418-4000 and get a free consultation!
FAQ: Hours of Service Violations and Your Rights
What should I do after a truck accident in California?
Call 911, seek immediate medical care, and gather as much evidence as possible (photos, witness info, etc.). Then, contactLA Injury Lawyers to protect your rights.
How can I prove the driver violated HOS rules?
An experienced attorney can obtain ELD data, GPS logs, and other records to demonstrate that the driver exceeded legal driving limits.
Are trucking companies responsible for HOS violations?
Yes. If the company pressured or incentivized the driver to break the law, it can share full legal liability for your damages.
What compensation can I recover?
You may be entitled to medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering — and in some cases, punitive damages.
How long do I have to file a claim?
In California, you typically have two years, but it’s best to act quickly before vital evidence disappears.
How much does it cost to hire LA Injury Lawyers?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you payno fees unless we win your case.