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Truck Accidents Caused by Fatigued Drivers
Washington D.C., Maryland, & Virginia Attorneys
Any time a fatigued driver gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, the odds of an accident occurring greatly increase. However, when that driver is operating a large commercial truck, the potential for serious personal injury and death is even more significant. Recent studies reveal that fatigued drivers are responsible for 30-40% of all truck accidents.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Driver Fatigue Laws
Because driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established laws that regulate how many hours a truck driver is permitted to operate their vehicle on both a daily and a weekly basis.
The number of hours that a truck driver is allowed to spend on the road increased from 10 to 11 in 2003 due to lobbying on the part of the trucking industry. This increase may seem insignificant, but a recent study published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety discovered that the risk of accident actually doubles when truck drivers operate their vehicles beyond a 10-hour timeframe.
Unfortunately, heavy competition and unrealistic schedules in the trucking industry prompt truck drivers to bend these already inadequate laws. Pressure is put on drivers to make their deliveries as quickly as possible so they can return to pick up another load. Furthermore, some trucking companies pay their drivers by the mile, not compensating them for any on-duty time spent inspecting their trucks or using their mandated rest hours. Such a system encourages truck drivers to shorten their required rest breaks in order to maximize their pay.
Some truck drivers will even resort to the use of drugs such as methamphetamines (speed) in order to keep themselves awake during long drives. The dangers of fatigue are thus complicated even further by side effects like impaired judgment and paranoia.
Truck Accidents Caused by Fatigued Drivers
When a truck driver gets too little sleep, the consequences are more devastating for other motorists than for the drivers themselves. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 69% of the people who died in a truck accident in 2008 were either driving or riding in a passenger vehicle.
Many types of serious personal injury can result from fatigued driving, including:
- Spinal cord injury
- Burn injury
- Head trauma and brain injury
Injuries like these can have life-long consequences that result in expensive medical bills both now and into the future. Moreover, families of victims are often left unable to pay for basic necessities due to loss of income. When a truck accident caused by a fatigued driver ends in wrongful death, the surviving family’s need for compensation becomes even more essential.
Why Choose CSCS?
After an accident occurs, trucking companies will often act quickly to minimize the damages, looking to their own legal teams for assistance in manipulating the law to their clients’ advantage. Victims need a qualified attorney on their side who is well-versed in trucking law and understands how to effectively represent their claim.
The Virginia truck accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have decades of experience pursuing justice and compensation for victims of truck accidents. Our reputation in the legal community and among our clients precedes us. We will thoroughly investigate the details of your claim and ensure that your rights are protected while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident due to a fatigued driver in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington D.C., please contact our experienced Virginia truck accident lawyers today to schedule a consultation.
