Personalized Legal Service To Meet Your Unique Needs

Fatigued Truck Drivers: The Leading Cause of Truck Accidents

On Behalf of | Aug 13, 2021 | Firm News

Truck accidents can be caused by many reasons, but a leading cause is truck driver fatigue. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, which regulate the hours of service for truckers, allow tractor-trailer operators to drive up to 11 hours a stretch in one 14-hour period. Therefore, truck drivers can be required to drive up to 60 hours in one week or 70 hours in an eight-day period. Truck driver fatigue may be caused from inadequate sleep, working long hours, pressure from employers to meet deadlines, or even the use of stimulants.

All the above contributing factors can occur very easily in truck drivers. Driver fatigue exerts a negative effect on many of the functions that drivers need to perform well, including vision, reaction time, coordination, and judgment. Driving when you have not had enough sleep is a major concern among drivers in the United States. A drowsy truck driver may not be able to react fast enough behind the wheel to avoid a collision.

Accidents involving truck driver fatigue often give rise to personal injury actions based on negligence. You can sue a truck driver whose exhaustion-induced carelessness harmed you by showing that the driver failed to use reasonable care on the road which caused your injuries. Drivers are responsible for safely and responsibly operating their vehicles. If you can prove that the driver’s fatigue harmed you, the driver may be liable to you for compensation. Furthermore, the trucking company can be deemed responsible if it can be proved that they pressured the drivers or encouraged them to violate federal standards.

The massive size and weight of trucks can cause serious injuries when commercial drivers crash into other vehicles or people on Florida roads. Accidents involving large trucks are often complex, which makes it crucial to be represented by a lawyer who knows how to prepare and present a persuasive case.

Let us help you Have you been involved in an auto accident with a truck? A phone call to Itzkowitz Law at 813-461-6600 is free as is your consultation, and all communication with our office is completely confidential.