Holding Trucking Companies Accountable for FMCSA Violations
Helping Ohio truck accident victims recover after crashes involving large trucks
Trucking is the backbone of America’s economy. Every day, big rigs haul goods across Ohio and the country, delivering everything from groceries to gasoline. But with that responsibility comes strict oversight, especially from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
When truck drivers or companies break FMCSA rules, the consequences can be serious. These violations can lead to devastating truck accidents. At Soroka & Associates, we help injury victims and their families investigate FMCSA violations to strengthen their truck accident claims. If you’ve been hurt by a negligent trucking company, we’re here to help.
What is the FMCSA?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. It was created in 2000 to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The FMCSA sets safety rules that all interstate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must follow. Some of the most common areas FMCSA regulates include:
- Hours of Service (HOS): Limits how long drivers can be on the road before resting
- Vehicle maintenance and inspections
- Driver qualifications and licensing
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Cargo securement
- Weight limits
These rules are designed to keep roads safe. When they’re broken, lives can be put at risk.
What kinds of FMCSA violations can lead to truck accidents?
Unfortunately, not every trucking company or driver plays by the rules. Whether it’s due to tight delivery schedules, staffing shortages, or poor management, FMCSA violations happen more often than many people think. And when they do, they can cause serious or even fatal crashes. Here are some of the most common violations we see in Ohio truck accident cases:
Hours-of-Service violations
Truck drivers are legally limited in how long they can drive without rest. FMCSA’s rules require:
- No more than 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
- No driving beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty
- At least 30-minute breaks after 8 hours of driving
- A weekly limit of 60 or 70 hours on duty over 7 or 8 days
Drivers who falsify logs or ignore rest rules are more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel. Fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents.
Poor vehicle maintenance
The FMCSA requires regular inspections and maintenance on:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Lights
- Coupling devices
- Steering systems
Improper maintenance can lead to blown tires, brake failure, or steering issues, any of which can cause a crash. If a company skips inspections or lets unsafe vehicles on the road, it may be liable.
Unqualified or improperly trained drivers
Drivers must have a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and meet certain health and training standards. Employing a medically unfit or unqualified driver violates FMCSA rules.
Improperly secured or overloaded cargo
The FMCSA has rules about how cargo must be secured and how much weight a truck can carry. An overloaded or poorly balanced truck:
- Is harder to steer
- Takes longer to stop
- Is more likely to roll over or jackknife
If a crash happens because a company or shipper violated cargo rules, they can be held accountable.
Drug and alcohol testing violations
The FMCSA requires random drug and alcohol testing for all CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles subject to federal safety regulations. Companies that skip testing or ignore failed tests can be responsible if an impaired driver causes a crash.
How FMCSA violations can strengthen your case
If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, one of the first questions your attorney will ask is: Was there an FMCSA violation? That’s because proving a violation:
- Shows the driver or company acted negligently
- Creates a stronger legal claim for compensation
- Helps your case go beyond just "driver error" and target company-wide failures
At Soroka & Associates, we thoroughly investigate every truck accident for federal safety violations. That includes:
- Requesting driver logs and maintenance records
- Reviewing black box and GPS data
- Subpoenaing company safety audits and inspection reports
- Working with accident reconstruction and trucking experts
By proving that a truck driver or company broke federal rules, we help you recover money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Long-term disability or wrongful death
We fight to hold every responsible party accountable, including out-of-state carriers, cargo companies, maintenance crews, and fleet managers.
Why choose Soroka & Associates?
Not all law firms understand the trucking industry, and even fewer are equipped to handle FMCSA-related claims. At Soroka & Associates, our Columbus-based legal team focuses on serious truck accident cases involving:
- Federal safety violations
- Complex commercial insurance policies
- Multi-party liability
- Out-of-state trucking operations
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Proven experience with FMCSA regulations
- In-house investigations using subpoenas and expert witnesses
- Aggressive litigation when companies try to hide violations
- Skilled negotiation with insurers
- Personal attention for truck crash victims and their families
If you or a loved one were injured in a truck crash caused by FMCSA violations, we’re ready to fight to protect your rights and your future.
What to do if you suspect an FMCSA violation
If you were involved in a truck crash and think an FMCSA rule was broken, here’s what you can do:
- Get medical care right away. Your health comes first, and your medical records will help document the impact of the crash.
- Call the police and request a full crash report. These reports often include preliminary findings of driver fault, licensing status, and potential violations.
- Take photos of the scene. If possible, capture vehicle damage, road conditions, and anything that looks unusual, like unsecured cargo or worn tires.
- Do not talk to the trucking company or their insurer alone. They may try to settle quickly or get you to say something that weakens your case.
Then, contact one of our Columbus truck accident attorneys. The sooner you get legal help, the sooner critical evidence can be preserved. This includes logbooks, GPS data, and inspection records.
Do you have an FMCSA violations truck crash lawyer near me?
Soroka & Associates is located at 503 South Front Street, Suite 205, in Columbus. We are located near a parking deck and are just blocks away from Route 23 and I-71. If you are too ill or injured to travel to us, we can make home and hospital visits or set up a phone or video consultation.
Contact our Columbus truck crash attorneys today for skilled legal assistance
If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a large truck, Soroka & Associates can help. We’re based in Columbus, Ohio, but we handle complex trucking cases across the state and beyond. Our attorneys offer free consultations, no upfront fees for injury cases, personalized legal strategies, and fast, effective action. Please call our offices or fill out our contact form to get started.