How Tired Truck Drivers Cause Accidents

How Tired Truck Drivers Cause Accidents

Operating a commercial truck requires skill and experience. A truck driver needs to be alert at all times while operating these extremely large, complex motor vehicles. Tired truck drivers are more likely to make mistakes that could result in a truck accident. 

At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers we understand how truck accidents impact victims. Our legal team has witnessed the physical, emotional, and financial harm that a semi-truck accident can cause. We are dedicated to fighting for maximum compensation for each of our truck accident clients. 

If you were injured in a truck accident, contact our law firm to request a free consultation, give us a call at (713) 500-5000 to speak with a Houston truck accident attorney. We offer compassionate legal advice so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family after your truck accident.

How Our Houston Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You and Your Family After a Truck Accident 

Our Houston personal injury attorneys have over 45 years of legal experience handling truck accident claims. Our founding attorney Brian White is Board Certified in personal injury trial law. We know how to hold trucking companies responsible for your injuries, and we strive to give you the personalized legal services you deserve after your injury.

When you hire Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, you can expect us to:

  • Investigate the truck accident to determine how it happened and who is responsible
  • Work with you, medical experts, and financial professionals to document and value your damages
  • File insurance claims and handle all communications with insurance adjusters, investigators, and claims representatives
  • Negotiate a fair settlement agreement for your personal injury claim
  • Prepare a personal injury lawsuit and argue your case in court, if the other parties refuse to negotiate in good faith

We are here for you when you need trusting, skilled legal services. Call us now to schedule your free case review with one of our truck accident attorneys in Houston, Texas. 

What Rules Are in Place to Prevent Truck Crashes Caused by Tired Truck Drivers?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets hours of service regulations and other trucking rules for the trucking industry. These rules restrict the number of hours truck drivers may drive in a given period of time. They are designed to prevent fatigued driving accidents. 

A truck driver may drive 11 hours carrying cargo after ten consecutive hours off duty. Truck drivers must have a 30-minute driving break after driving for eight cumulative hours.

These rules also limit the number of hours a truck driver can drive during a week. For example, drivers cannot drive more than 60 hours in seven consecutive days or more than 70 hours in eight consecutive days without taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.

Why Does Fatigue Increase the Risk of Truck Accidents?

Why Does Fatigue Increase the Risk of Truck Accidents?

Lack of sleep increases the chance of a traffic accident dramatically. A study by AAA Foundation found that missing just one to two hours of sleep a night can double your crash risk. Missing two to three hours of sleep in a 24 hour period can quadruple your risk of a crash.

Truck companies often set unrealistic delivery schedules to increase profits. They pressure a fatigued truck driver to drive beyond the hours of service.

However, a lack of sleep impacts a driver’s coordination, reaction time, and ability to make decisions. Every second is precious when a driver needs to slow or stop a commercial truck. It takes much more time and a longer distance to stop an 80,000-pound truck than it does a passenger vehicle.

When a truck driver is drowsy or fatigued, they may not be as attentive to the road. They are more likely to make mistakes and poor driving decisions. Even with eight hours of rest, a truck driver can become fatigued if they drive for too long without breaks.

Truck Accidents Are More Dangerous for Others on the Road

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 71 percent of truck accident deaths occurred to people in passenger vehicles. In addition, 69 percent of people injured in truck accidents were occupants of other vehicles. 

Because of the difference in size and weight between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, the occupants of the passenger vehicles have a much higher risk of wrongful death or injury in a truck crash. 

Common truck accident injuries include:

The potential for permanent impairments and disabilities is high in a large truck accident. Victims may be unable to return to work. In some cases, victims could require long-term personal and medical care.

The damages from a truck accident can total millions of dollars, especially if the person sustained a disability. The trucking company, trucking driver, and other parties may be unwilling to accept liability for the cause of the truck crash. 

Our Houston truck accident lawyers fight to hold these parties liable for their negligence and recklessness. We fight to get you the money you deserve to reimburse you for your economic and non-economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Houston

You should not fight large trucking companies and insurance providers on your own. These corporations have substantial resources to fight your claim. You need to even the playing field.

Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with one of our Houston personal injury attorneys. We are not afraid to take on the big trucking companies and massive insurance companies.

We Handle All Types Of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents still injure or kill thousands of drivers every year. Most of these accidents are due to careless drivers, our team knows how to prove negligence and get fair compensation when a truck driver hits you. Contact us in any part of the Eagle Ford Shale in Houston to schedule a free consultation. We also cover the following collisions:

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