The Role of Driver Fatigue in Truck Accidents: Legal Perspectives

In recent years, the demand for more goods across the U.S. has driven a sharp rise in the trucking industry. It’s not your imagination – there are more trucks on the road today than ever before, and those numbers are steadily expected to rise in the coming years.

However, with this increase in demand for food and household items also comes the need for more truck drivers to transport these items to their destinations. There has been a shortage of truckers available for fleets, putting a strain on those who already have their commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).

When truck drivers are spread thin, they tend to get more fatigued behind the wheel. Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rules and regulations in place that require truckers to follow appropriate hours of service and take breaks, these rules are often broken.

This means that there are many exhausted truckers on the roads. A drowsy driver is as much a danger as one who is intoxicated, and when that driver is behind the wheel of a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle, it can lead to a catastrophic truck accident.

What Is Truck Driver Fatigue?

Truck driver fatigue occurs when a trucker is too tired to stay alert and focused on the task of driving. Truckers are often traveling long distances and following inconsistent schedules, making it easier for them to become fatigued. If they’re not getting enough sleep or the road conditions have been especially taxing, the lulling sound of the truck as it rolls down the highway can easily cause them to fall asleep while behind the wheel.

Understanding the Regulatory Measures in Place for Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies

As mentioned, the FMCSA has rules in place designed to combat fatigued driving. This agency regulates hours of service for truck drivers, which issues the maximum allowable consecutive driving hours and dictates mandatory rest periods. These measures are in place to keep tired drivers out of the driver’s seat and prevent a deadly crash.

In more recent years, electronic logging devices (ELDs) have been implemented as another way to prevent the tragedy of a truck accident. ELDs help ensure compliance while promoting accountability for truck drivers and trucking companies. These devices help monitor the hours a driver is on the road and the FMCSA issues hefty fines for violating these terms.

Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous trucking companies and truck drivers who try to bend the rules and manipulate the data. While there are technological advances that utilize sensors and algorithms to detect drowsiness or distraction, these innovative solutions need to be implemented on a broader level to improve driver safety and reduce truck accidents.

Consequences of Truck Driver Fatigue

When a truck driver is fatigued while driving down the road, things can take a disastrous turn. A trucker who hasn’t had enough sleep will have severely impaired cognitive functions. They’ll be slower to react to changes in road conditions and won’t have the capacity to make sound decisions.

It’s dangerous for a driver of a passenger vehicle to get behind the wheel when they’re fatigued. However, with commercial trucks, these vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with cargo. This hefty weight coupled with the massive size of these vehicles can create a devastating crash. If the truck is carrying hazardous materials, it is even more terrifying to imagine the outcome. When these accidents happen, they tend to cause severe injuries that leave victims with permanent impacts for the rest of their lives. In many cases, victims may not survive the crash or their injuries, leaving families in shock and grief.

Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident When Fatigue Is a Factor?

If you were injured after being hit by a truck, you may be wondering who is responsible for your injuries and other financial losses. Truck accidents are always much more complicated because there are more parties involved than when there’s a car accident between two vehicles.

In a truck accident, negligence must first be established to hold any party liable. This requires showing that a particular party owed you a duty of care, that they breached this duty which caused the accident, and that this truck accident caused your injuries and damages. Investigations must be conducted to determine how the truck crash occurred in the first place.

Accident reconstructionists and industry experts will use mathematics, photos of the accident scene, and other pieces of evidence to recreate the crash and make their determinations. Additionally, the ELD and black box will be examined to determine if the truck driver violated the hours of service.

If a trucker is found to have violated the regulations from the FMCSA, such as by falsifying records to drive beyond the hours of service, they can be held liable for the crash. Similarly, if the trucking company encouraged these violations, it would also be subject to liability.

Truck accidents may also involve the cargo loaders, the truck manufacturer, the parts manufacturer, or the mechanics responsible for fleet inspections and maintenance.

What Should You Do If You’re Involved in a Trucking Accident?

If you are involved in a truck accident, it’s likely you won’t know right off the bat that the trucker was fatigued while behind the wheel. This will typically come to light after investigations are conducted.

Your focus should first be on your health and safety. Call 911 immediately and ensure you get a full medical evaluation even if you don’t notice any physical injuries. The force of a large truck can cause internal injuries such as bleeding from vital organs or traumatic brain injuries, and these injuries can become life-threatening if they aren’t treated.

You can also gather evidence in photos and videos if you can. Above all, contact a truck accident attorney to learn more about your legal options.