Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyer
Every year, there are thousands of truck accidents on the road. Many of these accidents are caused by driver fatigue and truck drivers that have fallen asleep behind the wheel. These truck driver fatigue accidents often occur because the truck driver has been on the road for too long and is exhausted.
When truck drivers are tired, they are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel, which can lead to serious drowsy driving accidents. Victims can suffer from many injuries, including brain damage, spinal cord injuries, and death.
Were you severely injured in a drowsy driving accident, or did you lose a loved one in a fatal truck crash? The personal injury attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, are legal advocates harmed by a drowsy truck driver.
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Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Statistics in America
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver fatigue is a significant factor in up to 18 percent of all motor vehicle accidents, including large trucks.
The highway safety data shows that fatigue-related accidents account for around 100,000 crashes yearly, resulting in more than 1,500 fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data reveals that a fatigued truck driver behind the wheel is a leading cause of truck accidents in America.
The trucking industry is under immense pressure to deliver goods quickly and efficiently, which often leads to truckers driving for long hours without proper rest.
As a result, many truckers suffer from fatigue that severely impairs their ability to drive safely. Studies have shown that being awake for 18 hours has the same effect on your body as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 percent.
Making Sure Drivers Get the Recommended Amount of Rest
It is so important for trucking companies to ensure that their drivers are getting the proper amount of consecutive hours off duty before getting behind the wheel for another shift. Unfortunately, nowadays is even more challenging for a trucking company to follow these guidelines, which puts their drivers – and everyone else on the road – at risk.
If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident with a tired truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact us today for a free case review.
Causes of Truck Accidents Involving Fatigued Truck Drivers
Truck driver fatigue is a serious issue that can lead to deadly outcomes. Fatigued drivers are more likely to have drowsy driving accidents, eventually falling asleep at the wheel, which can cause fatalities for truckers and other drivers on the road.
It is essential to understand the common causes of being tired while driving and how to prevent them to help reduce the number of truck driver fatigue accidents.
Common causes of fatigued driving crashes in the trucking industry include:
- Truck drivers’ inexperience – a lack of training as required by federal regulations that the trucking companies should provide
- Distracted Driving
- Poor sleep habits, including not getting adequate sleep
- Sleep apnea
- Working long hours past the legal limit (11-hour daily maximum)
- Failing to take at least ten consecutive hours off-duty to rest
- Illegal drugs or alcohol
- Eating unhealthy foods
- Lack of sleep – failing to get adequate rest
- Not following HOS (how many hours of service) regulations
- Driving in harsh weather conditions
While many factors can contribute to truck driver fatigue, the most common cause is working long hours of service. Truckers often must drive for long periods without taking a break, leading to drowsy driving and eventually falling asleep at the wheel.
It is essential for truck drivers to get enough rest when they are off duty before driving and to take breaks frequently throughout their shift to help prevent truck drivers’ fatigue accidents.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a fatigued truck driver accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation on your case.
Injuries Arising from Truck Driver Fatigue Accidents
When a large truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds crashes into a small passenger vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. The massive weight of the truck can cause severe injuries to the passengers in the smaller car and severe damage to the vehicle itself. Injuries from these accidents can include personal, intense, and serious injuries.
Physical Injuries
These injuries from fatigued driving leading to crashes could include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – Any blunt force trauma to the head can cause significant injuries to the brain, leaving the victim With life-threatening, serious injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can result in long-term cognitive impairment, personality changes, and difficulty performing daily tasks.
- Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis below the point of impact. These injuries are often permanent, leaving the victim with a lifelong disability.
- Internal bleeding – Any time there is a blunt force trauma to the body, there is a risk of internal bleeding. This type of injury can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- Broken bones – Broken bones are common in car accidents and even more so in truck crashes due to the sheer force involved. These injuries can range from minor to severe compound fractures requiring healing surgery.
- Amputation or dismemberment – In some cases, the force of a truck accident can cause an arm or leg to be severed from the body. This type of injury is often life-threatening and can lead to permanent disability.
- Internal organ damage is also a common injury in truck crashes. This type of injury can be life-threatening and can often lead to death. Some of the most common internal organ injuries include:
- Liver damage – The liver is one of the most commonly injured organs in a truck accident. A damaged liver can lead to serious health complications, including cerebral edema (excessive fluid in the brain). Too much fluid causes pressure to build up in your brain, which can lead to disorientation, severe mental confusion and seizures.
- Kidney damage – The kidneys are also commonly injured. A damaged kidney can lead to serious health complications, including fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
- Pancreas damage – The pancreas is a vital organ that helps the body digest food. Damage to the pancreas can lead to serious health complications, including a complication where the pancreas loses its blood supply. This can cause necrosis where some of the tissue of the pancreas dies.
- Colon damage – The colon is responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. Damage to the colon can lead to serious health complications, including bleeding, obstruction, and perforation.
- Spleen damage – Many accidents victims must undergo spleen removal due to the organ’s location and lack of protection. A damaged spleen can lead to serious health complications, which include an increase of infection risks.
Psychological Injuries
In addition to the physical injuries that can result from a truck accident, there are also often psychological injuries. These psychological injuries can include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological injury after a traumatic event like a car accident. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping.
- Mood swings are another common psychological symptom after a truck accident. Victims may feel angry, sad, scared, or even numb. These mood swings can be mild or severe.
- Flashbacks are a type of PTSD symptom that can cause the victim to relive the accident repeatedly. These flashbacks can be triggered by anything from a sound to a smell.
- Difficulty concentrating – Many victims of accidents report difficulty concentrating on anything for long periods. This difficulty can make it hard to work, study, or even carry on a conversation.
Many truck accidents result in needing medical attention immediately. In many truck accident cases, victims are unaware of their injuries because their adrenaline is racing moments after the crash.
Our truck accident lawyers recommend being transported to the hospital, even if you suspect your injuries are minor. Only a doctor with the latest diagnostic tools can accurately determine the extent of your injuries or well-being.
Hire a Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer to Resolve Your Compensation Case
Do you suspect that your injuries in a truck accident are the result of fatigue or drowsy driving? Do you believe the trucker’s negligence behind the wheel led to the trucking accident?
Our legal team handles personal injury cases just like yours. We can provide immediate legal representation, deal directly with the defendant’s insurance company and seek fair compensation to recoup your medical expenses, hospital costs, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages.
We will file a compensation claim against every party responsible for the catastrophic accident caused by negligence. Potential defendants could include the responsible trucking company, truck drivers, truck makers, parts manufacturers, motorists, and government entities.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We accept all drowsy driving truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning no upfront fees are paid until we resolve your case through a negotiated settlement or jury award.