Fatigued Truck Drivers in Terre Haute Accidents

Truck drivers work tirelessly to keep our economy moving. However, with that responsibility comes a lot of pressure. With strict delivery deadlines that they may be forced to meet, regardless of weather or traffic conditions, it could mean driving when they are fatigued.

However, drowsy driving is hazardous. It impairs a driver as substantially as operating a vehicle while intoxicated. When you or a loved one have been injured because of a tired driver, our truck accident attorneys at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin could help you understand the facts of a case. They could help examine the circumstances to determine negligence in fatigued truck drivers in Terre Haute accidents and advise you regarding potential remedies.

Federal Regulations and Driver Fatigue

In addition to state traffic laws, federal regulations govern driver safety for truckers. For instance, 49 Code of Federal Regulations § 395.3 explicitly limits the amount of time a truck driver is allowed to be on the road. Popularly known as the 11-hour rule, this regulation sets the following limits:

• A trucker’s shift can only be 14 consecutive hours long.
• A trucker can only drive a total of 11 hours during that 14-hour shift.
• Drivers cannot start a work shift until taking 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Truckers cannot drive more than 8 hours consecutively without taking at least a 30-minute break.

Violation of these regulations could provide evidence of negligence and help an attorney to establish a truck accident case based on driver fatigue in Terre Haute.

Pursuing an Investigation

Sometimes, truckers break these hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. Because much of the oversight depends on driver self-reports, regulatory agencies may not notice violations. However, when driver fatigue plays a role in a commercial vehicle collision, our attorneys could pursue an investigation to determine support for that allegation. Examining the trucker’s history of stops reveals their miles traveled, which could demonstrate that they were driving beyond HOS regulation hours.

Dangers of Trucker Fatigue

Drowsy driving is dangerous for anyone operating a vehicle as it dulls reaction time, which could make it difficult to focus and puts them at risk for falling asleep. It is even more dangerous for truckers in large commercial vehicles as semi-trucks are eight to 20 times heavier than a passenger vehicle. To put these figures into perspective, the average weight of a regular car sits at about 4,000 pounds compared to a commercial truck, which weighs around 80,000 pounds.

Because 18-wheelers are heavier, they also take much longer to stop, which increases the likelihood of a collision. Combined with an increased reaction time due to drowsiness, an avoidable wreck could quickly become a serious accident. Stopping distance and speed at impact are two methods investigators could use to determine whether a fatigued trucker reacted in time to prevent an accident in Terre Haute. Our detail-oriented lawyers may work with investigators to examine the facts of a collision case.

Contact a Terre Haute Attorney For Help With Your Drowsy Trucker Accident Claim

Any commercial vehicle accident has the potential to cause catastrophic injuries. As a result, truckers must take special classes and learn how to handle their vehicles safely. When they fail to respect these rules, they could put other drivers in danger. When their employers or freight companies encourage them to violate safety rules and drive beyond the HOS limits, they may share liability.

When you have been injured because of a negligent driver, the lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin may be able to help you seek compensation. Schedule a consultation to learn more about fatigued truck drivers in Terre Haute accidents today.