Albuquerque Trucking Laws & Regulations

What Does the FMCSA Regulate?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. They are responsible for the oversight and regulation of motor carriers and commercial vehicles in the U.S., including truck drivers and companies.

Part of the FMCSA’s oversight includes:

• Training and licensing criteria for truckers to transport passengers
• Truck owner and truck driver insurance requirements
• The maximum weight and length trucks are allowed to operate at
• Alcohol and drug impairment limits in correlation with New Mexico drunk driving laws
• Commercial driver’s licenses
• Requirements for truck inspections
• Drug and alcohol testing requirements for truck drivers
• Regulating cargo securement requirements
• Allowable driving window (the number of consecutive driving hours with consecutive rest hours)
• Required records
• Hazardous materials identification

A New Mexico accident attorney will review the details of your case to determine if any rules and regulations were violated and contributed to the crash. This review helps determine who is at fault for the injuries you sustained and the damages you endured.

What Happens When New Mexico Trucking Laws & Regulations Are Violated?

Once your attorney has determined that there have been FMCSA violations, there are several actions that the liable parties can face.

You Can File an Accident Claim

You may have grounds for a civil claim seeking financial compensation for your economic and non-economic damages as applicable under New Mexico law.

The At-fault Party May Face Penalties

The at-fault parties may also face civil fines, license suspension or revocation, and other penalties depending on the details of your case.

How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

Your New Mexico truck accident lawyer will have several responsibilities when taking on your case. We build a solid case by:

• Getting the tractor-trailer inspected
• Obtaining copies of the safety inspection records
• Obtaining copies of the truck’s black box
• Obtaining the truck driver’s logbook and employment records, including drug test results
• Getting the truck driver’s criminal history, if any
• Investigating the truck driver’s credentials, including their professional and personal driving records
• Investigating the trucking company’s business-wide practices, including hiring and handling of former FMCSA violations
• Getting the truck repair logs

These are just a few of the different tasks your attorney will be responsible for in working to build a robust case against those who caused your physical, emotional, and financial pain.