The dangers of a truck driver fatigue

SAM LAW OFFICE, LLC
Highly Recommended Rolling Meadows Divorce Attorney And Personal
Injury Lawyer Susan A. Marks

The dangers of a truck driver fatigue
The commercial trucking industry has become a crucial part of interstate commerce, so it’s not
unusual to see semi-trucks on a regular basis. Unfortunately, aside from allowing for the
transportation of mass amounts of goods, these trucks also pose a serious risk to other
drivers. For this reason, the federal government requires trucking companies and their drivers
to comply with certain rules regarding driving time, as well as cargo loading and maintenance
procedures. While many trucking companies and their employees are careful to adhere to
these rules, some do not, which can have devastating consequences for others on the road, so
if you were involved in a collision with a commercial truck, it is critical to speak with an
experienced truck accident attorney who can help you seek compensation for your losses.
What is Truck Driver Fatigue?
Driver fatigue causes an alarming number of collisions every year. In fact, the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has even reported that as many as ten percents of all truck
accidents are caused by truck driver fatigue, which is a term used to describe the point at
which a driver’s reaction time becomes impaired as a result of exhaustion. Driver fatigue has a
variety of causes, ranging from taking certain medications and consuming alcohol to specific
kinds of medical conditions and a lack of sleep.

However, the most common cause of driver fatigue is overwork.
To help ensure that truck drivers are not overextended, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) prohibits:
• Driving more than eleven out of every 14 hours;
• Starting a shift without having had at least ten consecutive hours off duty;
• Driving if the driver has been on duty for 70 hours in the last eight days; and
• Driving after working for more than 60 hours over a one week period.
• Truck drivers are also required to take half-hour breaks every eight hours.
Who is Liable?
Truck drivers who fall asleep at the wheel and cause accidents can be held liable for the lost
wages, vehicle repair, and medical expenses incurred by injured parties. However, these are not
the only individuals who can be held responsible, as the trucking company itself could be
required to compensate victims if it forced its drivers to work too many hours or failed to
supervise driving logs.

Proving that a driver’s fatigue was the cause of an accident is crucial, so injured parties
will need to collect copies of the police report, evaluate the driver’s logbooks and invehicle
technologies, and request copies of the driver’s medical examination reports.
When there is evidence that a truck driver was clearly at fault, many trucking companies
are willing to reach a settlement with the injured parties, although in some cases, the
claim will need to be litigated in court.
Get a legal representation with an experienced truck accident attorney for any
accident-related questions and concerns.
At SAM LAW OFFICE, LLC, in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, our trucking accident
attorney aggressively pursues personal injury claims on behalf of our clients.

LOCATION
SAM LAW OFFICE, LLC
3601 Algonquin Road Suite 610
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008
Phone: 847-255-9925
Toll Free: 877-286-8180
Fax: 224-735-3357