What Are Some of the Most Common Safety Violations That Result in Commercial Truck Accidents?

Commercial trucking is a regulated industry in the United States. Truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to a bevy of laws and regulations, and many of these laws and regulations are focused specifically on ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers on the road.

Unfortunately, violations of these rules and regulations are common. Whether due to carelessness, recklessness, or placing profits before safety, truck drivers and trucking companies are routinely cited for violations of safety-related federal standards. When these violations lead to commercial trucking accidents, victims and their families will often be entitled to financial compensation.

Understanding truck driver violations is critical for anyone sharing the road with large commercial vehicles.
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7 Common Safety Violations Involved in Commercial Truck Accidents

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, thousands of crashes each year are tied to preventable compliance failures. These truck driver violations often go beyond minor infractions—they can reflect systemic safety issues within a trucking company or a pattern of dangerous driving behavior.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, large truck crashes result in thousands of fatalities annually, with a significant percentage linked to violations of federal safety standards.

1. Hours-of-Service Violations

Many commercial trucking accidents result from violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) hours-of-service regulations. These regulations limit the number of hours that truck drivers can spend behind the wheel, and they are designed to reduce the risk of driver fatigue as well as the risk of truck drivers using drugs to stay awake behind the wheel.

The FMCSA has established different hours-of-service rules for property-carrying and passenger-carrying trucks. For property-carrying trucks (including tractor trailers and 18-wheelers), the hours-of-service rules include:

11-Hour Driving Limit – Truck drivers may not drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
14–Hour Driving Limit – Truck drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
60/70-Hour Limit – Truck drivers may not drive after 60 hours on duty over seven consecutive days or after 70 hours on duty over eight consecutive days.
Rest Breaks – Truck drivers may not drive more than 8 hours without taking at least a 30-minute rest.

Hours-of-Service violations are among the most common FMCSA violations causing truck accidents. Despite strict limits, some drivers attempt to push beyond legal thresholds to meet tight delivery deadlines.

This can involve misuse or manipulation of Electronic Logging Device systems required to track driving time. When these systems are bypassed or falsified, it becomes significantly harder to ensure compliance and prevent fatigue-related crashes.

In terms of risk, fatigued driving is comparable to impaired driving. This makes hours-of-service violations particularly dangerous and a major focus of federal enforcement efforts.

2. Lighting Violations

Commercial trucks are required to have operational headlights, taillights, side markers, and various other lights and reflectors. If you observe commercial trucks driving the opposite way on the highway at night, you will notice that most of them have nearly identical lighting arrangements.

There is a good reason for this: Despite their enormous size, commercial trucks can still be difficult to see in the dark, and truck drivers must have clear visibility of their surroundings at all times. While a burnt-out lightbulb may be relatively easy to fix, it can have devastating consequences if it is not fixed in time to prevent a collision.

Even a single malfunctioning light can reduce visibility and reaction time for other drivers, especially in poor weather conditions. These seemingly minor truck driver violations can quickly escalate into serious hazards on high-speed roadways.

3. Brake Violations

Faulty brakes are a prevalent safety issue as well. For obvious reasons, all commercial trucks are required to be equipped with safe and functioning brakes. However, one study found that approximately one million trucks are cited for brake-related safety violations each year. When a commercial truck’s brakes are worn or defective, the risk of a major accident increases substantially.

Brake-related trucking regulation violations are among the leading reasons trucks are placed out of service by inspectors. Brake issues consistently rank among the top safety concerns identified in Vehicle Inspection Reports. These violations may stem from poor maintenance practices, worn components, or failure to conduct required pre-trip inspections.

4. Tire Tread Violations

Having adequate tire tread ensures that a commercial truck will steer and brake as it is supposed to. In states like Oregon and Washington where we routinely get heavy rain and snow, adequate tread depth is essential to mitigating the risk of dangerous pileups and other weather-related accidents.

Worn or improperly inflated tires can lead to blowouts, jackknife accidents, and loss of vehicle control. These types of truck driver safety incident details are often documented in crash investigations and can point directly to negligence in maintenance or inspection routines.

5. Driver Log Violations

While driver log violations are not necessarily dangerous in and of themselves, they are often indicative of much bigger problems. For example, many of these violations involve failure to adequately document truck drivers’ compliance with the hours-of-service regulations discussed above.

If a truck driver is not documenting his or her hours, there is usually a reason why. Unfortunately, it is also well known that some trucking companies actually encourage their drivers to exceed the federal hours-of-service standards in order to get their deliveries where they need to be on time.

Logbook violations are a critical red flag in trucking accident cases. Even with ELD systems in place, falsification still occurs and can lead to serious trucking company fines and penalties. These violations may also impact a driver’s Commercial Driver’s License and contribute to poor compliance, safety, and accountability. A pattern of logbook violations may indicate that a driver or company routinely ignores safety regulations.

6. Medical Examiner’s Certificate Violations

Prior to driving, commercial truck drivers must obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate. This requirement ensures that truck drivers are “physically qualified” to drive. Failing to obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, driving on an expired Medical Examiner’s Certificate, and driving despite being denied a Medical Examiner’s Certificate are all common trucking safety violations.

These violations can be especially dangerous when they involve untreated medical conditions such as sleep apnea, vision impairment, or cardiovascular issues. In some cases, failure to maintain proper medical certification can directly contribute to a driver losing consciousness or experiencing a medical emergency behind the wheel.

7. Cargo Securement Violations

Commercial trucks can carry several tons of cargo. In order to avoid spilling this cargo on the road and to ensure that truck drivers are able to stop suddenly when necessary, this cargo must be properly secured.

The FMCSA has established regulations for what it calls “cargo securement.” And despite the critical importance of adequately securing cargo, violations of these cargo securement regulations are common as well.

Cargo securement violations are governed by detailed federal rules. Improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, increasing the likelihood of rollovers or debris spilling onto the roadway. These violations, such as failure to properly label or secure loads, can expose both drivers and companies to significant liability.

8. Trucking Marking Violations

Federal regulations require commercial motor vehicles to display specific identifying information, including the motor carrier’s legal or trade name and USDOT number. These markings must be clearly visible and legible from a distance.

Common violations include:

Missing or improperly displayed USDOT numbers;
Illegible, faded, or obscured company markings; or
Failure to display the correct legal name of the carrier responsible for the vehicle.

While these truck marking rule violations may not directly cause a crash, they can complicate post-accident investigations, delay identification of the responsible carrier, and raise questions about regulatory compliance.

Proving That a Safety Violation Caused a Commercial Truck Accident

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident, proving a safety violation will not necessarily establish your claim for compensation. For example, even if both of the truck’s headlights were burnt out, if the accident happened during the day and the truck was clearly visible, it may be difficult to argue that the lighting violation caused or contributed to the accident.

On the other hand, if there is evidence to suggest that the truck driver was asleep behind the wheel or if the truck driver was unable to stop because the truck’s cargo had not been properly secured, then proving the safety violation could be a critical step on your road to financial recovery.

To build a strong case, attorneys often rely on multiple forms of evidence, including black box data, driver qualification files, maintenance logs, and vehicle inspection reports. These records can reveal patterns of truck driver violations and help establish causation. In many cases, proving that a violation occurred is only the first step; demonstrating that it directly led to the crash is essential to recovering compensation.

Additionally, federal regulations enforced by the FMCSA and DOT provide a framework for determining negligence. When a trucking company fails to comply with these rules, it may be liable for damages. This is particularly true when violations involve safety-critical systems like brakes, tires, or driver fatigue.

If you are navigating the aftermath of a crash, working with an experienced legal team can make all the difference. The attorneys at D’Amore Law Group can help investigate trucking regulation violations and build a compelling claim.

Speak with a Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer in Oregon or Washington

D’Amore Law Group is a personal injury and wrongful death law firm that represents commercial truck accident victims and their families throughout Oregon and Washington. Tom D’Amore is a board-certified truck accident attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, which is an important differentiator in terms of skill and experience with these types of cases.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a crash involving a commercial truck, it’s important to act quickly. Experienced attorneys can help gather critical evidence, obtain truck driver records, and navigate complex federal and state trucking regulations to protect your rights. Early legal guidance increases the chances of securing fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

If you have questions and would like to speak with an attorney, you can call us today or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.

FAQs

What Are the Most Common Truck Driver Violations?

The most common truck driver violations include Hours-of-Service violations, Logbook Violations, Speeding Violations, brake defects, and failure to conduct proper inspections. Federal regulators frequently cite these.

What Happens If a Truck Driver Violates Hours-of-Service Rules?

Violating Hours of Service rules can result in fines, out-of-service orders, and negative impacts on a driver’s CSA score. Repeated violations may lead to suspension or termination.

How Do Trucking Violations Affect a Driver’s CDL?

Serious trucking regulation violations can lead to points, suspension, or revocation of a Commercial Driver’s License. Employers may also terminate drivers with repeated violations.

What Is the Penalty for Logbook Violations in Trucking?

Penalties for Logbook Violations may include significant fines, CSA penalties, and potential legal consequences for falsification.

How Do Truck Driver Violations Impact CSA Scores?

Violations are tracked under the Compliance, Safety, Accountability system. Higher scores indicate increased risk and can trigger audits or enforcement actions.

What Are DOT Violations for Truck Drivers?

DOT violations include any failure to comply with Department of Transportation safety rules, including maintenance failures and unsafe driving practices.

Can Truck Driver Violations Lead to License Suspension?

Yes. Repeated or severe violations can result in CDL suspension or revocation, particularly when they pose safety risks, such as fatigue or falsified records.

Do Truck Drivers Get Fired for Accidents?

Yes, truck drivers can be fired for accidents, especially if truck driver violations, such as Hours of Service or Logbook Violations, are involved. Employers often review fault, safety history, and Compliance, Safety, Accountability scores before making a decision.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal resources during the content development process: