- Injured by a Fatigued Truck Driver? Call Us Today
- What Are the Hours of Service Rules?
- Why Do Truck Drivers Still Drive Fatigued?
- How Do Trucking Companies Add to the Problem?
- How Does Driver Fatigue Cause Wrecks?
- Advocating for Full Compensation for Your Injuries
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Injured by a Fatigued Truck Driver? Call Us Today
Truck drivers work long hours, often crossing multiple county or state lines in a single trip. For years, this led to numerous fatal accidents because drivers fell asleep at the wheel, so federal regulations now require truckers to limit their work hours and take regular rest breaks. Sadly, many still violate these rules and put everyone on the road at risk.
If you were injured by a truck driver, you should talk to an attorney as soon as possible. At Aghabegian Law Group, P.C. we can dig into the details of your accident and determine if the driver was fatigued or violated federal law. We have the expertise and skill to fight for full compensation on your behalf. Call us today at (818) 350-HURT (350-4878) to schedule a free consultation.
What Are the Hours of Service Rules?
The “hours of service” (HOS) regulations control how long truck drivers are allowed to be on duty. They include:
- Commercial truck drivers carrying property are limited to a maximum of 11 hours behind the wheel after ten consecutive hours off duty.
- When truck drivers have driven for eight cumulative hours, they are required to take a 30-minute rest break. For this half-hour break, the driver can be on duty but not driving, in a sleeper berth, off duty, or any combination of the above.
- Drivers of commercial trucks are limited to 60 hours of driving in a week, or 70 hours in eight consecutive days.
Despite these Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, it is still far too common for big rigs to be operated by fatigued drivers.
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Why Do Truck Drivers Still Drive Fatigued?
Even when abiding by these federal regulations, truck drivers can become fatigued after spending 11 hours behind the wheel. Although they must be off-duty for at least ten hours before starting an 11-hour drive, no one can force a driver to rest during that time. Irregular schedules can interrupt a person’s sleeping patterns, and truck drivers may rely on various substances to help them sleep or wake up. Amphetamines and sleep aids can impair judgment, reflexes, response time, and driving ability.
How Do Trucking Companies Add to the Problem?
Truckers may feel pressured by the trucking companies that employ them. These companies make money by delivering cargo, and they set deadlines for their drivers. These deadlines may be unreasonable or may not leave any margin for delays on the road due to construction, weather, or traffic problems. Some truck drivers are paid by the mile. They may feel pressured financially or by pre-set deadlines to exceed the speed limit or drive longer than allowed under HOS regulations to try to make up time.
How Does Driver Fatigue Cause Wrecks?
Fatigue can impair driving in a way that is similar to alcohol consumption, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can lead to:
- Poor driving judgment
- Nodding off behind the wheel
- Microsleeps (brief sleep episodes lasting up to 30 seconds)
- Drifting out of the lane
- Slower reactions to changing road conditions, other drivers, or pedestrians
- Tunnel vision (lack of periphery awareness)
Fatigue can lead to a head-on collision if the driver falls asleep at the wheel. It can lead to sideswipe accidents if the driver changes lanes without first checking the truck’s blind spots.
Advocating for Full Compensation for Your Injuries
Filing a claim after a trucking accident is difficult, but if a trucker caused your injuries, then they should pay for your bills. Our Glendale truck accident attorneys can investigate the crash to determine liability, collect and preserve evidence to support your claim, and aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you were seriously injured in a truck accident that may have involved driver fatigue, contact Aghabegian Law Group, P.C., as soon as possible. We can sit down with you in a free consultation and explain all of your options. With our more than 40 years of experience, we can determine exactly how your injuries were caused and who to hold accountable. Call us today at (818) 350-HURT (350-4878).
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Contact us today for a free consultation. We offer our services on a contingency fee basis-if we don’t recover compensation for you, you don’t pay. Call (818) 350-HURT (350-4878) to learn more.