How To Prove Regulatory Violations After a Truck Accident

Trucking regulations exist to keep our roads safe, but when companies cut corners, lives are at risk. Violations like exceeding weight limits, skipping required maintenance, or pushing drivers past legal hours create dangerous conditions that lead to preventable crashes.

For example, in 2024, New York saw 3,760 truck accidents. Of those, 100 were fatal, and 2,598 caused injuries, leaving victims with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and long recoveries.

If you were injured in a truck accident, proving safety violations can strengthen your personal injury claim and hold negligent trucking companies accountable.

Learn how to gather the right evidence and why working with experienced Syracuse truck accident lawyers can improve your chances of a successful claim.

Understanding Trucking Regulations

Trucking regulations are designed to keep roads safe, but violations can create serious road hazards for drivers and others. Common issues include:

• Exceeding Driving Hours: Federal regulations limit how long drivers can be on duty to prevent fatigue-related crashes. When drivers exceed these limits, exhaustion slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and increases the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
• Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance: Trucks must undergo routine inspections and repairs to ensure safe operation. Skipping required maintenance or failing to fix known defects, such as worn brakes or damaged tires, can lead to sudden mechanical failures, making it harder to stop or control the vehicle.
• Improper Cargo Securing: Federal guidelines require cargo to be properly secured based on weight and size to prevent shifting. When loads are not tied down correctly, they can move unexpectedly, causing rollovers, jackknifes, or debris falling into traffic.
• Lack of Driver Qualifications: Truck drivers must meet training, licensing, and medical standards to operate their vehicles safely. Allowing unqualified or medically unfit drivers on the road increases the risk of errors, rollovers, and unsafe vehicle handling.

Understanding these regulations is the first step in identifying violations that may have contributed to a truck accident. Next, you must gather concrete evidence to prove non-compliance.

Collecting Evidence of Trucking Regulation Violations

After a truck accident, you need concrete evidence to demonstrate regulatory violations and establish liability. Here’s what to collect:

• Request Driver Logs: Federal rules require truck drivers to track their hours using an electronic logging device (ELD) or paper logs. Secure access to these records immediately to check for violations before the company deletes or alters them.
• Obtain Inspection Reports: Carriers must document routine truck inspections to ensure vehicles are safe for the road. Review these reports to identify unresolved mechanical issues that may have contributed to the crash.
• Secure Maintenance Records: Trucks require regular servicing to keep brakes, tires, and other essential systems in working order. Compare these records with inspection reports to uncover neglected repairs or missing service entries.
• Preserve Electronic Data Recorder (EDR) Data: The truck’s EDR, or “black box,” records speed, braking, and engine performance leading up to the crash. Request this data immediately; companies may delete or overwrite it within days.
• Access Cargo Records: Bills of lading and load manifests document cargo weight, securing methods, and who loaded the truck. Compare these records with crash details to determine if improper loading contributed to the accident.
• Gather Witness Statements and Police Reports: Eyewitnesses can provide firsthand accounts of reckless driving, mechanical failures, or unsecured cargo. To preserve key details, collect police reports and witness statements as soon as possible.

Acting fast prevents trucking companies from altering or deleting key records. A skilled truck accident attorney can issue legal demands, file preservation letters, and take immediate steps to secure this evidence.

The Role of Expert Witnesses in Proving Violations

Expert witnesses are critical in interpreting complex trucking regulations and technical evidence. They help establish causation and demonstrate how violations contributed to the accident. Key experts include:

• Accident Reconstruction Specialists: These experts analyze crash dynamics, vehicle damage, and road conditions to determine how the accident occurred and whether a regulatory violation contributed to it.
• Trucking Industry Experts: Professionals with experience in trucking operations can testify about standard industry practices, regulatory compliance, and whether the company deviated from legal safety requirements.
• Medical and Economic Experts: Besides proving liability, expert witnesses can assess the extent of injuries and financial losses resulting from the accident, helping maximize compensation for victims.

Work With Catalano Law to Strengthen Your Claim

If you were injured in a truck accident on I-81 or elsewhere in Central New York, proving regulatory violations is essential to establishing negligence and securing fair compensation.

However, trucking companies and their insurers often withhold or manipulate records, making it difficult for victims to access the right evidence and interpret complex regulations.

Our experienced legal team at Catalano Law has the expertise and resources to build a strong case. We can investigate your accident, obtain key records, and work with expert witnesses to maximize your settlement.

Time is critical in truck accident cases. Contact us today for a free consultation so we can protect your rights and help you hold negligent parties accountable.