What is the law for semi trucks with no running lights...someone smashed into a truck at night...?

Question

Do these trucks legally have to have running lights? Someone I know was going down a major highway at 10:15pm and smashed into this truck that was sideways on the highway. http://www.rnews.com/Story_2004.cfm?ID=63208&rnews_story_type=18 He is suffering sooo much...5 broken ribs, 2 broken vertebrae and bleeding from his brain. This was so needles. The truck had reflectors and only one light on the side. He obviously didn't see the truck until it was too late. Don't they need running lights??

Answer 1

there are both state and federal regulations governing trucks, but really the court is going to look at the totalityof the circumstances, primarily, whose fault is it in the first place that the accident happened and how reasonable was your friends conduct at the time. Generally anyone acting negligently is partially at fault, even if legal, minimal lighting may have been negligent on the part of the trucker(if privately owned) or trucking company, but if your friend was speeding he may be a little negligent too. How much your friend will be able to get depends on the state (and ofcourse country) your friend lives in. As soon as your friend is able he needs to seek out a competant and HARD WORKING attorney. The best way is to get reccomendations from a friend, but if he cannot do that, call the lawyer referral(sic?) line for your state (available through the Bar Association) and he should then interview a few attorneys. Right now he needs to 1)write down EVERYTHING he remembers about that night 2)keep a journal of his daily pain and struggles and 3)get better. In most states he has 1-2 years to file, but some are shorter so he should look into that too.

Answer 2

Federal law requires one side marker light at the rear and one mid lenght and reflective tape.

Answer 3

The trucker is totally at fault. However it has nothing to do with lights. There are usually only 1 or 2 lights on the side of the trailer.

Answer 4

As being a inspector for over 30 years yes they need running lights, below is an example of what is needed for two types of trucks.........

Truck 80 Inches or More in Overall Width

1. Horn

2. Windshield Wipers

3. Mirror

4. Steering

5. Seat Belts

6. Brakes system (Parking - beginning with 1960 models)

7. Tires

8. Wheel Assembly

9. Safety Guards or Flaps (if four tires or more on rearmost axle)

10. Exhaust System

11. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models)

12. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)

13. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier

14. Stop Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier

15. License Plate Lamp (1)

16. Rear Red Reflectors (2)

17. Turn Signal Lamps

18. Clearance Lamps

19. Side Marker Lamps

20. Side Reflectors

21. Head Lamps (2)

(Refer to Reference Section as per lighting diagrams and as applicable to the particular style of truck being inspected.)

22. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number

23. 1988 & newer - inspect for window tinting or coating

24. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old.

Truck-Tractor

1. Horn

2. Windshield Wipers

3. Mirror

4. Steering

5. Seat Belts

6. Brakes (system) Parking - (beginning with 1960 models)

7. Tires

8. Wheel Assembly

9. Exhaust System

10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models)

11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)

12. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier

13. Stop Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier

14. Rear Red Reflectors (2)

15. Turn Signal Lamps

16. Cab Lamps (2)

17. Head Lamps (2)

18. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number

19. 1988 & newer - inspect for window tinting or coating

20. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old.

Answer 5

That is a tanker and he had reflective tape on it the picture clearly shows. He was ticketed for illegal backing . He should have had more lights and not doing that in the dark. I hope your Friend come out all right. Tankers I think have to have a different set up for maker lights than a flat bed or a Van. The trucker is wide open for a law suit.