
Federal Trucking Regulations
Explained by Our Columbus Truck Accident Attorneys
Accidents involving large commercial trucks can be among the most dangerous on the road. Regardless of how safely a person drives, other vehicles may simply be unable to withstand the power, weight, and momentum of an 18-wheeler. To curb this danger and risk of catastrophic injury, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues strict regulations that oversee almost all aspects of the trucking industry. However, according to the FMCSA, just under half-a-million truck-related accidents occurred in the U.S. in 2014 alone—many due to one or more violations of these regulations.
When an accident occurs due to the negligent driving behavior of a trucker, they can be held legally responsible for resulting damages. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a collision with a commercial truck, contact Rourke & Blumenthal and tell us what happened. Our Columbus truck accident attorneys possess an in-depth understanding of federal trucking regulations and know where to investigate to help determine if a violation played a role in your accident.
Clients choose to work with Rourke & Blumenthal because:
- We have recovered more than $300 million for past clients.
- Our attorneys have 150+ years of collective legal experience.
- We were selected for inclusion in the Ohio Super Lawyers® List.
- Our attorneys are AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®.
FMCSA Trucking Regulations
Largely put in place to help ensure that drivers on the road remain safe, the FMCSA regulations govern areas such as trucking maintenance and hours of operation as well as the actions of a trucking company. In the event of an accident, one of the first questions to ask is, “Did the operator or trucking company violate a federal regulation?” Companies and drivers alike are required to keep detailed documentation about the operation of their vehicles.
In the past, these records were kept with pencil and paper. Today, records are kept on electronic on-board recorders (EOBR) and electronic logging devices (ELD). Depending on the circumstances of an accident, a truck driver, a trucking company, and the manufacturer of the truck equipment may incur liability.
Areas that are subject to one or more federal regulations include:
- Driver certification
- Language requirements
- Trucking inspections and maintenance
- Load and cargo requirements
- The total hours a trucker is allowed to drive
- Proper maintenance of accurate records
Injured in a Truck Accident? Call (614) 321-3212.
At Rourke & Blumenthal, we understand how stressful being injured in an accident can be. Between dealing with insurance companies and paying medical bills, it can be difficult to know where you can turn for help. Know that you are not alone in this struggle, and our firm can help you to seek compensation for medical costs, missed work, and reduced income potential as well as for your pain and suffering. Our Columbus truck accident attorneys have a proven history of success in accident cases and can help you to seek the restitution that you deserve.
To best assist our clients, we offer weekend and evening appointments. Contact our firm today.

A Proven Track Record of Success
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$20,800,000 Drunk Driving Accident
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$8,500,000 Verdict for Amputation Injury
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$7,400,000 Accident Causing Amputation
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$6,500,000 Wrongful Deaths Caused By Arson
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Record-Setting $6,000,000 Wrongful Death
We Come Highly Recommended
Learn what our happy clients have to say about working with our team
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We sincerely want to express our gratitude to Mike Rourke and Jon Stoudt for their commitment to us and our case. Their guidance through the whole process was invaluable. The whole time they were very respectful, caring, and compassionate regarding our circumstances. They explained in detail every step of the process. This gave us peace of mind when moving forward with the case. We put our trust in Mike and Jon, and so glad we did. Their skilled expertise was instrumental in the outcome of our case. We couldn’t be happier with the final outcome. Thank you to Mike, Jon, and their wonderful staff.- Shelley
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Wonderful firm! We have worked with other attorneys in the past and Mike and Tim blew us away. If you have a brain injury in the State of Ohio, you NEED attorneys who are experienced in TBI cases, not just motor vehicle accidents or other personal injury matters. It makes a huge difference having an attorney who understands the medical, emotional, and financial issues a family suffers after a TBI. They are professional, compassionate, and great communicators. I would recommend this office to anyone.- Suzanne
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Attorney Jon Stoudt is the best lawyer I've ever worked with. He did everything he could to help me. From the start, Jon was very responsive and always explained everything in terms I could easily understand. Jon's staff was also kind and responsive. I highly recommend Jon and would use him again in the future. Several months after being done with my case, another lawyer, handling a different part of the case, commented on how well Jon handled my civil suit.- Jillian
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From the very beginning and to the very end of a long process, Mr. Rourke and his team were extremely compassionate, knowledgeable and friendly. I found them to be honest and easy to communicate with, day or night, weekday or weekend. Mr. Rourke was always professional but at the same time made you feel important and took as much time that was needed to explain the many steps in this process. Everyone of his team were very respectful and caring of everyone in my family involved in our case. I will have an admiration for Mr. Rourke and his team for the remainder of my life.- Kelly
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Jonathan Stoudt gave us excellent counsel during our time with him.- Cathy
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Mr Timothy Mahler represented me after a personal injury auto accident. He was professional, knowledgeable, empathetic and experienced. I always felt that he had my best interests as the top priority. I was relieved from the intricate and time-consuming tasks related to the accident, free to focus on healing and recovery. He managed the complicated insurance and settlement to the best outcome. His team always treated me with respect. I would highly recommend Mr Mahler and his team. Thank you.- Cathy B.
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I suffered physical injuries and a concussion from an auto accident in December of 2020. The team, from receptionist to attorneys, were nothing less than stellar, professional, kind, and hard working. The accident and aftermath were extremely stressful; but the Rourkes, Michael Senior and Michael Junior, helped me navigate the process while I focused on healing. For me, recovery from the accident was the most important part of the process. While I worked on recovering, Rourke and Blumenthal worked on negotiating a fantastic settlement for me. I will forever be grateful for their help!- Maggie S.
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Attys. Mike Rourke, Sr. and Mike Rourke, Jr., helped us understand and settle all the legalities after my husband was hit be a car while riding his bicycle. Their extensive knowledge with injury cases, and their professionalism were ever-present, along with their empathy and understanding of what people experience after injuries that change lives. These attorneys always do what they promise, and in a timely and concise manner.. We would recommend Rourke & Blumenthal for anyone who needs legal services related to an accident or injury.- Stefanie M.

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