Washington is a beautiful state, filled with stunning natural landscapes and friendly people, and home to a thriving transport industry, which plays an important role in the state’s economy.
If you’re thinking of starting your own transport business in Washington, it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of all the applicable laws and regulations governing your industry, meaning you need to consult with a lawyer to make sure that you’re on the right track.
Let’s see the eight reasons why you should consult with a lawyer if you’re in the transport business.
Following laws and regulations
Washington has several laws and regulations governing the transport industry, and it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of all of them before you start your business. For instance, you need to have a valid Washington State Business License and ensure that your vehicles are properly registered and insured. You also need to comply with Washington’s Hours of Service Regulations, which govern how long drivers can operate their vehicles.
A lawyer can help you navigate the legal landscape and make sure that you comply with all the applicable laws and regulations.
In case of an accident
If your transport fleet was involved in an accident, whether it’s your employees’ fault or not, you’ll need to deal with the legal fallout. This can include dealing with insurance companies, law enforcement, and potentially even the courts. Several Washington-specific laws come into play in the event of an accident, such as the state’s statutory limit on liability for damages.
A lawyer can help you deal with the aftermath of an accident, and ensure that you’re taking all the necessary legal steps. However, when hiring a Washington car accident lawyer, it’s important to make sure that they’re experienced in dealing with transport-related accidents. This is important because they’ll be familiar with the relevant laws and regulations, and will be able to advise you accordingly.
When expanding your business
If you’re thinking of expanding your transport business, by adding new routes or vehicles, you need to make sure that you’re doing so in compliance with Washington’s laws and regulations. For instance, if you’re adding new vehicles to your fleet, you need to ensure that they’re properly registered and insured. You also need to make sure that your drivers are properly trained and licensed.
Therefore, a lawyer can not only help you navigate the legal landscape, but they can also help you draft contracts for new employees, and advise you on the best way to expand your business.
Additionally, if you’re expanding your business to include interstate transport, you need to be aware of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These regulations govern several aspects of interstate transport, including driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, and hours of service. A lawyer can help you ensure that you comply with these regulations.
When dealing with government agencies
If you’re transporting goods or people across state lines, you’ll need to deal with several different government agencies, such as the Washington State Patrol, the Washington Department of Transportation, and the Washington State Ferries. Each of these agencies has its own set of rules and regulations that you need to comply with.
A lawyer can help you navigate the bureaucracy and deal with any disputes that may arise with these agencies.
For instance, if you’re transporting goods across state lines, you need to make sure that they’re properly labeled and that you have all the necessary documentation. If there are any problems with the shipment, a lawyer can help you resolve them.
Dealing with customers
When you’re running a transport business, you’ll inevitably have to deal with customers which can include anything from taking bookings to dealing with customer complaints. While most customer interactions will be positive, there will occasionally be situations where a customer is unhappy with the service they’ve received, even if everything was done correctly.
In these instances, it’s important to have a lawyer on hand to advise you on the best course of action because a lawyer will be familiar with the Washington Consumer Protection Act, which governs customer complaints. Additionally, a lawyer can also help you draft contracts or agreements with customers, to avoid any potential legal disputes down the road.
When hiring new employees
Furthermore, if you’re expanding your transport business, you’ll need to hire new employees and they include everyone from bus drivers to office staff. When hiring new employees, a lawyer can help you with the process not only because several Washington-specific laws need to be considered, such as the Washington Minimum Wage Act and the Washington Industrial Insurance Act, but also because a lawyer can help you draft contracts.
It’s important to have a contract in place because it will outline the duties and responsibilities of the employee, as well as what is expected of them. Additionally, a contract will also protect your business if an employee does something that goes against the terms of their agreement.
Minimizing risk
There are several risks associated with running a transport business, and it’s important to minimize those risks as much as possible. A lawyer can help you identify the potential risks associated with your business and put together a plan to mitigate them. For instance, if you’re transporting hazardous materials, you need to make sure that you have the proper insurance in place in case of an accident.
Additionally, if you’re transporting people, you need to make sure that your drivers are properly trained and that your vehicles are well-maintained. By identifying the potential risks associated with your business and putting together a plan to mitigate them, you can minimize the chances of something going wrong.
As you can see, there are several reasons why you should consult with a lawyer if you’re running a transport business. A lawyer can help you ensure that you comply with the applicable laws and regulations, navigate the bureaucracy, deal with customer complaints, draft contracts, hire new employees, and minimize the risks associated with your business.
So, if you’re in the transport business, make sure to consult with a lawyer to help you run your business smoothly and avoid any legal troubles down the road.
