What Happens When an Hours of Service Violation Causes a Truck Crash?

 Posted on September 25, 2025 in Truck accidents

To reduce fatigue-related truck crashes, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rules known as Hours of Service (HOS). These rules limit how many hours truckers can drive before they are obligated to rest. Unfortunately, some drivers and companies break these rules, putting everyone on the road at risk.

If you were hurt in a truck accident, there might have been an HOS violation. Speak to a Glenview, IL personal injury lawyer about how to prove this in your injury claim so you can hold the trucking company accountable.

What Does "Hours of Service" Mean?

Under FMCSA regulations, truck drivers must follow strict limits on driving and rest periods. For example, most drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 hours off duty, and they must take at least a 30-minute break after eight hours on the road. They also cannot exceed 60 hours of driving in seven days or 70 hours of driving in eight days. 

These rules are designed to prevent drowsy driving accidents, which can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Illinois also enforces federal safety standards under the Illinois Motor Carrier Safety Law, 625 ILCS 5/18b. This means that trucking companies operating in the state must follow Hours of Service rules.

How Does Fatigue Impact Illinois Truck Crashes?

Fatigued drivers often have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and trouble staying awake at the wheel. On crowded roads like I-90 or I-294, one mistake by a drowsy trucker can cause a devastating multi-vehicle crash. Victims of these accidents often suffer serious injuries. These can include broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries.

How Do You Prove an Hours of Service Violation Led to Your Truck Crash?

Truck accident cases rely on a lot of evidence. An attorney can investigate:

• Electronic logging devices (ELDs) that record driving hours

• Driver logs, schedules, and shipping records

• Witness statements about the driver’s condition

• Surveillance or dashcam footage that shows fatigue or erratic driving

Proving an HOS violation can strengthen your case by showing that the trucker and their employer were negligent.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Truck Accident Claims?

While HOS rules come from federal law, Illinois law gives injured victims the right to seek compensation when someone else’s negligence causes them harm. Victims may recover damages for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Glenview, IL Hours of Service Violation Attorney

At Quinn Law Group, LLC, we have decades of experience investigating trucking cases and holding negligent drivers accountable. Each case is handled on a contingency basis, so you do not pay us any fees unless we win. To learn about your options, call a Des Plaines, IL truck accident lawyer at 847-232-7180 today and schedule your free consultation.