Collisions involving commercial trucks can be very dangerous, and people in other vehicles are likely to suffer serious personal injuries. There are many different reasons why truck accidents can occur, but driver fatigue is one of the most common factors in these cases. When truck drivers act negligently by attempting to drive when they are too tired to operate a vehicle safely, people injured in accidents with these drivers will want to understand their options for seeking compensation for the damages they have suffered.
In truck accident injury cases, having the right attorney on your side is crucial. The lawyers of The Edwards Law Firm understand the complexities of these types of cases, and we can help you navigate the issues that affect liability for commercial truck wrecks. We have more than 100 years of combined legal experience, and we have helped our clients recover compensation in a wide variety of personal injury cases. We know the difficulties that truck accident victims can face, and we are dedicated to helping them take legal action to address the ways their injuries have affected their lives.
Drowsy driving is dangerous in any type of motor vehicle, but it is especially risky for truck drivers. These drivers need to be able to pay close attention to a truck's equipment and the conditions on the road. Drowsiness can significantly affect a truck driver's ability to notice and react to the movements of other vehicles. Even a small change in a driver's reaction times due to drowsiness can cause them to be unable to take the correct action to avoid a collision. Truck drivers who are fatigued may also fall asleep while behind the wheel, which is likely to lead to dangerous or fatal accidents.
To prevent driver fatigue, the trucking industry is subject to strict regulations that limit truck drivers' hours of service. Drivers are limited to a maximum of 11 hours of driving or 14 hours of being on duty, and they must take a 10-hour break between driving shifts. They are also limited to 60 hours of driving in a seven-day period or 70 hours in an eight-day period. While drivers are required to keep detailed logs of their hours of service, some drivers may attempt to exceed their allowed limits, and they may falsify their logs in order to spend more time on the road. In some cases, trucking companies may encourage drivers to violate regulations so that they can deliver cargo more quickly.
Drowsy driving and fatigue can be a serious issue even for truck drivers who follow all applicable hours of service regulations. Studies have shown that staying awake for 18 hours is comparable to having a blood alcohol content of .05 percent, which is above the legal limit of .04 percent for drivers of commercial vehicles. Staying awake for 24 hours is similar to a BAC of .10 percent. Even when truck drivers take the necessary breaks, they may not receive enough sleep to ensure that they are fully rested, especially if they suffer from sleep apnea or other disorders that affect their quality of sleep. Truck drivers may also become drowsy due to the use of certain types of drugs, such as over-the-counter cold and flu medicines, prescription opioids, or controlled substances.
Following a truck accident, our lawyers can gather evidence to determine whether driver fatigue was a factor. We will work to ensure that victims understand their options for pursuing compensation from a truck driver who drove unsafely or a trucking company that acted negligently. Contact us today at 361-320-6752 to schedule a complimentary consultation. We provide representation for victims of commercial truck wrecks in Kingsville, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Robstown, Alice, Rockport, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, and Portland.