Trucking accident regulations apply to all commercial vehicles on South Texas roads, including Mexican-licensed semi-trucks. A South Texas truck accident attorney can investigate to determine if federal safety guidelines were violated.
If you have been injured in a truck accident along the South Texas border, you are likely facing immense losses that could directly affect your future. This is especially true when the accident involves Mexican licensed semi-trucks operating on South Texas roadways. These cross-border commercial vehicles must adhere to U.S. federal safety standards, yet many trucking companies fail to properly train drivers or enforce these critical regulations. Because recovering your full range of physical, financial, and emotional losses is important to your overall health and well-being, you should not wait to discuss your claim with an experienced South Texas truck accident lawyer.
Cross-Border Trucking Regulations Apply at Both the U.S. and Mexican Levels
Both the U.S. federal government and Mexico implement trucking regulations that set clear safety parameters for commercial vehicles crossing the border. When Mexican truck drivers or the trucking companies that employ them fail to take U.S. safety requirements seriously enough, it can lead to dangerous truck accidents on South Texas highways, but it can also support higher settlement amounts in your case.
Mexican carriers operating in the United States must comply with all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, including:
- Obtaining U.S. operating authority
- Passing safety audits
- Meeting English language proficiency requirements
- Complying with all U.S. hours-of-service regulations
- Adhering to drug and alcohol testing programs
However, enforcement challenges at the border often result in inadequate compliance, putting South Texas drivers at risk.
Critical Safety Regulations Often Violated by Cross-Border Carriers
Trucking accident regulations are broken down into basic categories that address primary safety concerns, and these are frequently overlooked by companies operating Mexican licensed semi-trucks in South Texas.
Hours of Service
Truckers spend long hours behind the wheel, and fatigue is a serious concern. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shares all the following hours-of-service regulations, which are designed to help limit drowsy driving:
- Commercial truck drivers can put in a maximum of 11 hours behind the wheel after being off duty for 10 consecutive hours and can’t drive beyond the fourteenth consecutive hour after coming on duty.
- The 11- and 14-hour limits can be extended by 2 hours each when adverse conditions are present.
- For every eight cumulative hours of driving, commercial truck drivers must take at least one 30-minute break.
- Commercial truck drivers can’t put in more than 60 or 70 hours per 7 or 8 days of consecutive driving, respectively.
Driver Qualifications and Training
Mexican licensed drivers operating in the U.S. must have the equivalent of a U.S. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and must be properly trained on U.S. traffic laws and safety regulations. Unfortunately, many cross-border trucking companies fail to provide adequate training on:
- U.S. traffic laws and signage
- Weight and size restrictions on U.S. highways
- Hours-of-service compliance
- Proper cargo loading and securement
- Pre-trip inspection procedures
These training deficiencies can be crucial evidence in your truck accident claim.
Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection
Mexican trucks entering the U.S. are subject to inspection at border crossings, but the sheer volume of traffic means that many vehicles receive only cursory checks. Common maintenance issues include:
- Worn brake systems
- Defective lighting
- Bald or damaged tires
- Faulty steering components
- Unsecured cargo
Your South Texas truck accident attorney can work with experts to determine if poor maintenance contributed to your accident.
Why You Need a South Texas Lawyer for Cross-Border Truck Accidents
Accidents involving Mexican licensed semi-trucks present unique challenges:
- Jurisdictional Complexities: Your case may involve laws from both the U.S. and Mexico.
- Insurance Challenges: Mexican carriers may have different insurance requirements and coverage limitations.
- Evidence Preservation: Critical evidence may be more difficult to obtain from foreign companies.
- Language Barriers: Documentation may be in Spanish and require proper translation.
- Corporate Structure Issues: Determining the responsible entities can be more complicated with foreign corporations.
A South Texas truck accident attorney understands these unique challenges and knows how to navigate the complexities of cross-border litigation.
Make the Call to an Experienced South Texas Truck Accident Attorney Today
The reliable truck accident lawyers at Moore Law Firm understand the unique challenges of South Texas border region truck accidents. We leverage our impressive experience with cross-border litigation and resources to seek favorable outcomes for every client we faithfully serve. Your claim is important to your future, so please don’t put off reaching out for more information about what we can do to help by contacting us online or calling 956-631-0745 and scheduling a free consultation today.