The transportation of food and goods is essential, yet there are many common legal issues in the trucking industry that can influence deliveries and schedules.
As a trucking company, understanding the different legal hurdles can help prepare you for future challenges and have a legal expert in place to handle issues as soon as they arise.
With the above in mind, there are many legal issues that are common occurrences in the trucking industry. Let’s go over some of the most common challenges that trucking companies face and how to solve them.
1. Accident Liability
Accident liability is one of the most common trucking industry problems.
This makes sense as driving is the main revenue-generating activity of trucking companies. Not only this, but there are hundreds of thousands of truck accidents each year so providers need to be prepared for this type of unfortunate event.
The biggest challenges here are that lawsuits are expensive, not to mention higher insurance premiums and any potential property damage.
The good news is that you can obtain legal counsel from an experienced firm with a proven track record in the trucking industry like Coluccio Law.
2. HOS Regulations and Employment Law
Hours of service (HOS) laws are designed to protect drivers, trucking companies, and people on the road. However, this also means that employers have to adhere to fair labor practices as well as other safety guidelines and being non-compliant can result in significant fines.
Here, it’s a good idea to provide compliance training and create an efficient scheduling system that’s trackable. Likewise, your attorney can review your current practices and ensure that they adhere to all regulations to prevent future employment law issues.
3. Drug Testing
Drug testing is mandatory to ensure that drivers are fit to maneuver massive rigs and help lower the risk of severe accidents.
In addition to the cost and administrative burden that this testing requirement creates, you also run the risk of getting fines and other punishments if you don’t adhere to these regulations.
Establishing clear policies can help you remain compliant, so make sure that your attorney reviews your documentation, especially if it’s already available to your team.
4. Jurisdiction
Another common issue that trucking companies face is driving through several states and jurisdictions.
This is an issue because states can have different laws surrounding truck drivers and the companies that employ them. This ramps up compliance costs, but consulting with a knowledgeable legal expert can help you set up standard operating procedures that guarantee compliance across all the state lines your drivers cross.
5. New Technology
Innovative solutions often propose fresh solutions to trucking issues, but it’s also true that new advancements can create new legal gaps.
Take technology like self-driving vehicles and similar technology that has the potential to increase productivity.
Data safety and the impact of innovative technology are two major legal themes here, so trucking companies need to have a dynamic legal counsel that can suggest pilot programs and other ways to manage new technology properly.
6. Driver Qualifications and Classifications
It’s common for truck drivers to be independent contractors, but it’s important for your trucking company to understand and adhere to the rules surrounding this occupation.
Legal disputes over driver misclassification can be costly and time-consuming, so it’s important to have clear contracts based on the nature of the professional link between the driver and the trucking company.
How to Prepare for Legal Battles in the Trucking Industry
Do you have trucking industry problems that require legal assistance? Here’s how to address your legal woes.
Train Your Team and Provide Further Learning Materials
It’s difficult for your entire team to be on the same page in terms of legal issues, unless you provide training and further learning materials.
By training your team, you can standardize your employees’ collective knowledge and make sure that everyone is operating under the same protocol.
During the training sessions, you should explain not only the laws and regulations you have to adhere to, but also the reasoning behind them. Also take the time to assess whether your team understands the lessons as this will help them prevent costly mistakes down the line.
Note that you need to put time into building and collecting training materials, or you run the risk of having lessons that are neither engaging nor beneficial.
Consult with Experienced Legal Professionals
Whether it’s an accident that involves civilians, a case that revolves around your employees, or any other form of legal battle, you need to have a reliable legal trucking expert.
Having an experienced attorney gives you the ability to solve and overcome legal issues as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What’s more, seasoned attorneys are aware of all the intricate laws and regulations surrounding truckers in different states, plus they always stay on top of changes to avoid unwelcome surprises later on.
Implement Technology that Improves Visibility
One of the biggest reasons why court cases are common in the trucking industry is the lack of transparency.
Unlike office and on-site jobs, the main activity that truckers do is driving. However, even with modern technology, there is a glaring lack of clarity that makes it difficult to build winning legal cases. For instance, tracking the trajectory of every vehicle in a fleet has not become a standard practice, even if the technology is readily available.
You can help mitigate this issue and make your legal battles easier to fight by implementing technology that improves transparency and visibility. This includes scheduling platforms, route tracking apps, and similar platforms that create a record of your truckers.
To Wrap Up
Navigating the different legal hurdles in the trucking industry is necessary to maintain your business active and compliant. Your best option is to find an experienced attorney who can help you deal with common legal issues in the trucking industry.
At Coluccio Law, our team of hands-on legal experts has helped countless trucking companies navigate all safety, compliance, and occupational laws, as well as all other applicable legislation.
We understand the key nuances that trucking companies need to consider to maintain a workforce and take care of all legal matters, so that you can focus on activities that help you generate steady revenue.
