Truck driver fatigue is a major cause of trucking accidents

On Behalf of | Mar 7, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Imagine driving for hours over thousands of miles without getting any rest. Fatigue is bound to set in, which could affect your concentration on the road. It means that you may be prone to causing accidents, given your physical state.

It is a situation many truck drivers find themselves in since they sometimes have to operate under hectic schedules. Therefore, if you have been involved in an accident with a truck, it is important to understand if driver fatigue was the cause of the crash.

Was the truck driver within the federal hours of service?

The government is aware of the risk posed by tired truck drivers, and there are laws regulating the operating schedule of truckers. They are known as the hours of service regulations to ensure that truck drivers get adequate rest before making long-haul trips.

The end goal is to ensure that a truck driver is fresh and fully attentive on the road. However, not everyone follows the law. Some drivers or trucking companies sometimes violate these laws, endangering the safety of other road users.

How do you prove the truck driver was fatigued?

There are various ways you could show that the truck driver was fatigued at the time of the accident. For example, you can rely on the police report if they notice bloodshot eyes or other signs of fatigue after responding to the accident. The truck’s logging devices could also indicate if a driver was operating outside the stipulated hours.

Driver fatigue is only one thing to consider when putting the pieces together regarding the circumstances of the accident. Getting help to discover all contributing factors is essential to getting compensation for the injuries sustained in the crash.