Know When Truck Driver Fatigue is the Cause of Your Accident
Most everyone knows that driving while fatigued is dangerous. Driving while fatigued can pose a danger to you and everyone else on the road. While it can be incredibly dangerous for any driver to drive while fatigued, it is especially dangerous for truck drivers operating semi-tractor trailers as accidents involving semi-tractor trailers can be especially catastrophic or fatal due to the size and force of impact of the truck. Truck driver fatigue is a common contributing factor to trucking accidents due to pressure truck drivers face to meet strict delivery deadlines. Truck driver fatigue leading to trucking accidents is entirely preventable, which is why any individual who is harmed in an accident involving a fatigued truck driver should contact an experienced trucking accident attorney who can assist you to gain the compensation for your injuries that you deserve.
Here at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C., we have over 30 years of experience representing victims of serious or catastrophic trucking accidents throughout New Mexico. We offer FREE consultations and pay the upfront costs and disbursements of litigation so we can start helping you and your family right away. We also only get our attorney’s fees paid after we recover compensation for you in a settlement or verdict. Learn how we can help you if you have been seriously injured in a trucking accident due to truck driver fatigue in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Consequences and Effects of Truck Driver Fatigue
There are many potential consequences of truck driver fatigue which can lead to serious harm of other drivers and pedestrians on the roadways. Fatigue can lead to impaired judgement and decision making, impaired reaction time, loss of focus while driving, and the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. A fatigued driver can often be just as dangerous as a drunk driver.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations to Prevent Truck Driver Fatigue
Hours of service regulations have been put in place by the FMCSA to prevent truck driver fatigue leading to trucking accidents. FMCSA states the following in regard to hours of service regulations:
- Commercial truck drivers may not drive more than 60 out of 70 hours on duty in 7 out of 8 days
- Commercial truck drivers may drive up to 11 hours but are only allowed to resume driving after a ten hour consecutive break
- Commercial truck drivers are allowed to work 14 hours in a day, but can only drive 11 hours out of the 14 hours of their shift
- Drivers may only operate for 8 consecutive hours in a row before being required to take at least a 30 minute rest
Reasons Truck Driver Fatigue Occurs
Truck driver fatigue is unfortunately all too common. Truck drivers drive fatigued for the following reasons:
- Pressure to meet a delivery deadline
- Financial incentive from the trucking company
- Certain medical conditions causing truck driver fatigue
- Violation of hours of service leading to fatigue
How a Trucking Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you or your loved one was injured or killed in an accident involved a fatigued truck driver, an experienced trucking accident lawyer knows what to look for to prove that driver was fatigued and is hours of service regulations were violated. An experienced trucking accident lawyer is able to review dispatch logs, driver logs, and trip history to prove that FMCSA regulations were violated. Proof that the truck driver was driving fatigued is needed in order to gain compensation.
Call the Caruso Law Offices for Help After Truck Driver Fatigued Caused an Accident
There are extensive federal regulations governing truck driver rest to prevent against the dangerous of truck driver fatigue. There are also state laws and regulations, as well as decisional law (common-law) against driving while tired or fatigued driving. The failure to comply with these sections of law and principles of reasonableness can result in serious personal injuries or the wrongful death of an innocent person.
Learn how our experienced trucking accident lawyers at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. can help you and your family after truck driver fatigued resulted in a serious or fatal accident involving you or a loved one wrongfully killed. Learn more by dialing (505) 273-2978 to schedule your FREE consultation.
We handle causes throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Roswell, Cuervo, Rio Rancho, Clovis, Farmington, Hobbs, Albuquerque where our office is located, and anywhere else throughout New Mexico. Please call to schedule for FREE appointment by dialing (505) 273-2978 or contact us through our website’s easy to use and convenient contact box available here.
