Utah Commercial Truck Accident Claims: Hours-of-Service Rules, Insurance, and Evidence

General information, not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.

Short answer: Large trucks that cross state lines — a constant presence on Utah's I-15, I-80, and I-70 — are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Those rules limit a property-carrying driver to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window after 10 consecutive hours off duty, require a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving, and cap on-duty time at 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days (49 CFR § 395.3). Carriers must keep records of duty status for at least six months (§ 395.8(k)) and an accident register for three years (§ 390.15(b)). For-hire interstate carriers hauling nonhazardous property in vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more generally must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage (§ 387.9). Violations of these rules can be evidence of negligence in a Utah claim.

Who this guide is for

Utah drivers and families hurt in crashes involving semis, delivery box trucks, and other commercial vehicles who want to understand what rules apply and what evidence disappears quickly.

The hours-of-service rules

Under § 395.3(a) and (b), a driver of a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle:

• may not drive without first taking 10 consecutive hours off duty;
• may not drive after 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty following those 10 hours off;
• may drive a total of 11 hours within that 14-hour period;
• may not drive if more than 8 hours of driving time have passed without a consecutive 30-minute interruption (with exceptions for short-haul drivers);
• may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days (or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days if the carrier operates every day of the week); and
• may restart the 7- or 8-day count after an off-duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours.

The rules apply to the carrier too: a motor carrier may not permit or require a driver to violate them. Exceptions and special rules exist (for example, short-haul exceptions and passenger-carrying vehicles under different sections), and not every truck is subject to every rule — intrastate carriers and certain vehicles may be treated differently, so confirm which rules apply to the truck in your case.

Records that exist — and how long

• Records of duty status (logs/ELD data): a motor carrier must keep records of duty status and supporting documents for each driver for not less than six months from receipt (§ 395.8(k)). After that, they may be lawfully destroyed. That is why prompt preservation requests matter.
• Accident register: carriers must keep an accident register for three years after each accident, including date, location, driver, injuries and fatalities, plus copies of accident reports required by governments or insurers (§ 390.15(b)).
• Cooperation: carriers must make accident records available to authorized investigators and give reasonable assistance (§ 390.15(a)).

Tampering with an electronic logging device is prohibited (§ 395.8).

Driver qualifications

A person is qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle only if they meet the requirements in 49 CFR § 391.11, including being at least 21 years old, being able to read and speak English sufficiently, being able to operate the vehicle type safely, and being physically qualified. A carrier that hires or keeps an unqualified driver may face its own claim for negligent hiring, retention, or supervision.

Insurance minimums

Under 49 CFR § 387.9, the minimum levels of financial responsibility for for-hire carriage of nonhazardous property in interstate or foreign commerce in vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds are $750,000; higher minimums apply to hazardous materials. These are minimums; actual policies may be higher, and some carriers carry umbrella coverage. The rule table was amended in 2026 — confirm current figures. Intrastate carriers may be governed by Utah or other requirements.

Who may be responsible

• The truck driver — fatigue, speeding, distraction, impairment.
• The motor carrier — hours-of-service violations, poor maintenance, inadequate training, negligent hiring or supervision.
• A shipper, broker, or loader — improper loading or cargo securement in some cases.
• A maintenance shop or manufacturer — brake or tire defects. See Utah's Product Liability Act Explained.
• A government entity — if roadway design or maintenance contributed. See Utah Road Defect Claims Against the Government.

An employer's liability for an employee-driver's negligence within the scope of employment is a common-law principle; whether the driver was an employee or an independent contractor can be disputed.

Utah claim rules that still apply

• No-fault PIP and the tort threshold apply to auto accidents involving a commercial truck just as with other motor vehicles. See Utah's PIP Coverage Explained and Utah's No-Fault Tort Threshold.
• Comparative fault and several liability. See Utah's Comparative Fault Rule and Utah's Several-Liability Rule.
• Statute of limitations. See Utah Personal Injury Statute of Limitations.

Evidence to preserve right away

1. Send a preservation (spoliation) letter through your attorney asking the carrier to keep ELD/log data, dash cam video, dispatch records, GPS and telematics, maintenance and inspection records, driver qualification file, and drug/alcohol test records. Don't wait; the six-month log retention period is short.
2. Photograph the scene, vehicles, skid marks, and the truck's DOT number and company name.
3. Get the police report. See How to Request a Utah Accident Report.
4. Identify witnesses and other drivers.
5. Seek medical care and keep records.
6. Don't give a recorded statement to the trucking insurer without legal advice. See Should You Give a Recorded Statement to the Adjuster?.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours can a truck driver drive?

Up to 11 hours within a 14-hour window after 10 hours off duty, with a 30-minute break required after 8 hours of driving, subject to exceptions.

How long must a trucking company keep driver logs?

At least six months.

What is the minimum insurance for a semi-truck?

Federal minimums are $750,000 for for-hire interstate carriers of nonhazardous property in vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more; higher for hazardous materials. Check the current rule.

Can I sue the trucking company as well as the driver?

Often yes, under theories like vicarious liability and the carrier's own negligence; the facts matter.