Interstate vs. Intrastate Motor Carriers

Why It is Important For A Truck Accident Lawyer To Know The Difference

Truck companies are known as "motor carriers" and there are two kinds: 1) interstate carriers and 2) intrastate carriers.  Essentially, the difference is that interstate carriers cross state lines and intrastate carriers operate solely within a single state.  Any good Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer knows it is vitally important to know which one you are dealing with in your case.  The reason is because interstate carriers are governed by Federal Law - the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.  These laws regulate many aspects of the truck company and truck driver's operations.  Given the number of semi-truck accident cases we handle, we have developed an extensive understanding of these regulations.  This is vital because virtually no truck company obeys them all and we can often find violations which serve as the basis for punitive damages.  Alternatively, intrastate carriers are governed by state law.  This requires the truck accident attorney to thoroughly investigate and understand the applicable state laws.  Yet, most states have also adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.