Tired Truck Driver Accidents

A truck driver's job is not a 9 to 5 job. Long hours spent behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle can get monotonous and boring. Reaction times and alertness tends to drop off when a driver gets tired. But when a tired truck driver stays behind the wheel, the chances of him causing a devastating or fatal accident increases significantly.

Driver Fatigue Common Cause of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are among the most serious types of collisions on our roads today and driver fatigue, a common cause of these accidents, often leads to devastating or fatal results.

Head-on collisions are common. Just as with a passenger car, the driver can nod off or fall asleep causing him to swerve into oncoming traffic. A tired truck driver may fail to see that traffic in front of him has slowed or stopped and rear-end the vehicle in front of him. These bigger, heavier vehicles take longer to stop and are more difficult to maneuver when a driver is fully alert, let alone when he is tired or fatigued.


Truck Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service

Governed by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are numerous rules and regulations trucking companies and drivers must adhere to. The FMCSA implemented a rule known as “hours of service,” which are strict guidelines on how many hours a trucker can drive consecutively before taking a break to rest.

These regulations were implemented to prevent tired truckers from getting behind the wheel and causing serious accidents. The regulations include limits on how long each day a driver can drive, sets rules regarding length of rest periods every week, limits on total weekly driving hours and more.


Have you been injured in a truck accident caused by a tired truck driver?

Unfortunately, not all drivers follow the letter of the law. Some drivers continue to stay behind the wheel no matter how tired they are.

Studies have shown that a tired truck driver can be as hazardous on the road as a drunk driver.

It is time to hold tired truck drivers responsible.

Most trucking accidents require extensive investigations to determine the cause so obtaining the advice of an attorney immediately who has expertise in these types of accidents is crucial.

The attorneys at Nash & Franciskato know the codes and regulations that apply to the trucking industry and how to build a strong case for you. We will enlist the necessary experts to help prove your case, including accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and others. Our investigators may look at, among other things:

  • a trucking company’s history
  • a trucker’s previous employment and disciplinary records,
  • a trucker’s log or on-board recorder

Bottom line, we leave no stone unturned when building a case for you.


Proven Results

  • $1.1 million total settlement for a driver struck from behind by a tractor-trailer whose driver had violated federal regulations for driving and logging hours
  • $500,000-plus settlements in cases involving inattention and fatigued truck drivers

More Case Results


Receive a Free Evaluation from Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys

Accidents due to fatigue can be catastrophic, leaving you with severe injuries and emotional trauma. Nash & Franciskato, a Kansas City based personal injury law firm, represents those injured in trucking accidents.

If you have been injured in a truck accident caused by a tired truck driver and need to understand your legal options and the likelihood of obtaining compensation after the accident, contact our experienced trucking accident attorneys for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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Helping Truck Drivers Manage Driver Fatigue. Truck drivers work long hours, face strenuous deadlines and often have rigorous schedules. Is it any wonder that one of the leading causes for truck driving accidents is due to driver fatigue? Read the Full Post.

 

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