Semi-Truck Transport on the Rise in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

On a normal day, truck transport is one of the most reliable ways to get goods across the United States. With approximately 70% of all products reaching their destination via trucks, businesses and residents across the country rely on semi-trucks to get everything from groceries and medication to household goods and cleaning supplies.

Today, as the State of Florida and most of the nation is under a mandated stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, truck traffic on our roadways has not only increased but is operating non-stop.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration temporarily suspended hours of service regulations for some truck drivers in March 2020, which allows them to surpass the previously mandated operation hours to deliver more goods to more people in response to the national health crisis.

While this exception does not apply to all truck drivers and trucking companies, our Vero Beach truck accident attorneys know no provision can be implemented at a local or national level that allows truck drivers to operate their semi-trucks negligently.

Unfortunately, even during the national health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, negligence still occurs on our roadways and the resulting injuries can be severe, life-changing, and even deadly.

If you have been hurt in an accident with a semi-truck, our Indian River County personal injury attorney is fully operational, serving new and existing clients remotely via phone, email, text message, or video conferencing to keep you safe and at home during this difficult time.

What Types of Trucks Are Exempt From the Standard Hours of Service Regulations?

The rules of the road still apply to everyone, including drivers who are traveling to essential jobs, delivering meals, and truck drivers of all types, even during the current and unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

The hours of service changes only apply to truck drivers and trucking companies transporting goods to meet the immediate needs for:

• Food, paper products and other groceries
• Fuel
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Federal, State or local authorities designated by for medical, isolation, or quarantine
• Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services
• Persons, supplies, and equipment necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities
• Raw materials including paper, plastic or alcohol required for the manufacture of items in categories
• Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention

Truck transport that falls outside of these emergency requirements must operate under the standard hours of service regulations outlined by the FMCSA.

Have You Been Hurt In a Florida Truck Accident? We Can Help You Pursue Financial Recovery Today

If you have been injured in an accident with any type of truck, including local delivery trucks or long-haul semis, contact our personal injury lawyer in Vero Beach at the Law Offices of Keith Bregoff, P.A. in Vero Beach today at (772) 492-8967 to schedule a free initial consultation to review your claim. We are available now and are ready to help you pursue your personal injury case even during the COVID-19 pandemic.