Federal safety regulations are in place to keep both truck drivers and the public safe. Our Minnesota commercial truck accident lawyer knows that these rules cover everything from how long drivers can be on the road to how trucks must be maintained and inspected. Unfortunately, some trucking companies don’t follow these laws as closely as they should. In our experience, violations often happen not by accident, but because of ongoing business practices that prioritize speed and profits over safety. We are available to you 24/7, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Pressure To Meet Delivery Deadlines
One of the most common reasons companies violate federal safety rules is the pressure to meet tight delivery schedules. When clients demand fast turnaround times, some carriers push their drivers to stay on the road longer than allowed. Federal hours-of-service rules are clear—drivers must take regular breaks and cannot drive beyond a certain number of hours each day or week. Still, we’ve seen cases where logbooks are altered or drivers are encouraged to skip breaks to keep deliveries on schedule.
Cutting Costs On Maintenance
Truck maintenance is another area where some companies try to reduce expenses. Keeping a fleet of trucks in proper working condition costs money, and some operators cut corners to save. This can mean skipping routine inspections, delaying repairs, or using cheap replacement parts. The problem is that small mechanical issues can quickly lead to major failures on the road, such as brake problems or tire blowouts. When trucks aren’t properly maintained, it puts everyone in danger.
Hiring Inexperienced Or Unqualified Drivers
Some companies also avoid proper background checks or training to get drivers on the road faster. Federal regulations require companies to review a driver’s record, check for prior violations, and make sure they have a valid commercial driver’s license. When this process is rushed or ignored, unqualified drivers may end up behind the wheel. That increases the risk of accidents, especially when they’re operating large, heavy vehicles in busy traffic or poor weather conditions.
Poor Oversight And Management
In some cases, violations occur because management doesn't set clear safety expectations or follow up on issues. A trucking company might have written policies that look good on paper, but if supervisors don’t track hours, inspect logs, or discipline rule-breaking, drivers may ignore the rules. When there’s no accountability, safety violations tend to repeat.
Falsifying Records
We’ve handled cases where companies or drivers have falsified important records like driver logs or inspection forms. This can make it harder to prove what really happened before a crash. Federal law requires accurate recordkeeping for a reason—it helps prevent dangerous practices and makes it easier to spot patterns of risk. When records are fake or missing, it raises serious questions about the company’s safety culture.
Profits Over Safety
At the root of many violations is a basic business choice—putting profit ahead of safety. Some companies treat fines for non-compliance as a cost of doing business. They may not change anything until there’s a serious accident or legal claim. That’s why it’s so important to hold them accountable when their actions lead to harm.
At Johnston | Martineau PLLP, we’ve worked with clients whose lives were changed by trucking accidents that never should have happened. When we look deeper into what caused the crash, we often find warning signs that were ignored. If you or someone close to you was hurt in a truck accident, we’re ready to take a closer look at what went wrong and help you move forward. We have over 40 years of law experience and are ready to help you.
