{"id":358060,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:22","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/transportation-law.html"},"modified":"2023-10-06T19:08:03","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T00:08:03","slug":"transportation-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/transportation-law.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Transportation Law?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Transportation Law?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Transportation law covers most aspects of travel and commerce on the streets, air, and water. This includes regulating vehicles and vessels, safety standards, and shipping activity.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

When legal issues arise on the land, whether they are criminal matters or a personal injury case, state laws handle them. But legal issues on the water or at 25,000 feet may need special legal rules.<\/p>\n

Attorneys typically focus on specific practice areas rather than transportation law itself. For example, many attorneys focus on personal injury cases, which often involve traffic violations. In contrast, admiralty law is unique, and few attorneys specialize in this practice area.<\/p>\n

Since transportation touches everything from big business to personal recreation, the network of laws is vast. So, if you have a legal issue involving shipping, travel, or other transportation issues, you should find a lawyer<\/a> whose experience best matches your case.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Agencies Regulating Transportation\u00a0<\/h2>\n

The U.S.\u00a0Department of Transportation<\/a> (DOT) is the primary federal regulatory agency. Individual states often also have their own transportation authorities to regulate state roads and transportation hubs. Still, federal agencies lead the way nationwide.<\/p>\n

Federal agencies charged with regulating the various means of transportation include:<\/p>\n