Truck Driver Fatigue

Hartsoe Law Firm is a Knoxville and Maryville truck accident law firm located in Maryville, Tennessee. Mr. Hartsoe has recovered millions of dollars for victims and families injured by preventable accidents involving trucks and tractor-trailers. Our firm is dedicated to providing you with compassionate, experienced service and helping you get the compensation you deserve. Our office in the Hartsoe Law Building is located conveniently between the Knox and Blount County Courthouses.

Trucks transport goods within and across state lines. The use of large conveyance vehicles is at the heart of a booming economy and healthy trade. But the same size that provides the most efficient means of ground transportation also makes trucks more dangerous. Some of the most devastating traffic accidents are caused by large trucks. Truck accidents may involve:

• Speeding
• Rollovers
• Blind spots
• Cargo spills
• Jackknifing
• Intoxication
• Loose trailers
• Wide left turns
• Flammable material
• Overloaded vehicles

While rare, truck accidents cause serious injuries and fatalities. Even at low speeds, the impact of a truck can crush a smaller vehicle, wounding the driver inside. Truck accidents kill over 5,000 and injure nearly 150,000 people each year. Many of them were caused by negligent drivers.

Truck drivers and the companies that employ them are known as “commercial carriers” because of their role in interstate commerce. Truck drivers must undergo rigorous training before acquiring the commercial driver’s license necessary to operate a truck. A commercial driver is subject to more stringent rules and regulations than regular drivers, including:

• Continued training
• DUI blood alcohol limit
• Drug and alcohol testing
• Vehicle safety inspection
• Allowable drive time per day
• Additional tests for certification
• Vehicle maintenance requirements
• Driving log showing total hours driven

The requirement to keep an accurate log of total hours driven was implemented to ensure truck drivers are on the road for a limited period and not driving while fatigued.

Too many hours on the road leads to driver fatigue. This is common among truckers who feel pressured to cover as much ground as possible within a day. Truck drivers are oftentimes compensated on the basis of miles traveled (“if the wheels aren’t rolling, you aren’t getting paid”). Driving a truck while fatigued substantially increases the risk of accidents involving serious injuries. In fact, statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration show that over 750 deaths and 20,000 injuries are directly linked to driver fatigue. These casualties usually stem from multiple-vehicle collisions involving a truck. Current rules prohibit truck operation for more than 10 consecutive hours before taking a rest break. New rules propose to increase the maximum drive time to 12 continuous hours, adding to driver fatigue.

By radically increasing the risk of performance errors due to drowsiness, truck drivers are essentially driving while impaired. Dozing at the wheel breaches a legal duty to safely operate the vehicle. If this negligent conduct causes an accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation from various parties. Truck drivers are required to carry sufficient insurance to cover any judgment for personal injuries sustained in a crash. The business using the truck is also liable for negligent acts of the driver. Victims injured in truck accidents may therefore be entitled to compensation from individual drivers, their employers, and multiple insurance companies.

If you were injured in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue, consult an experienced Knoxville and Maryville personal injury lawyer at Hartsoe Law Firm for help. We have recovered substantial awards for injured victims and families in Maryville, Knoxville, and across Tennessee. Our firm is devoted helping maximize your recovery so you can reclaim your life. At Hartsoe Law Firm, we know truck accidents are traumatic. Let us handle the insurance adjusters and deal with liable parties to work to recover a favorable recovery for you. Although a legal action may seem the last thing on your mind, it is important to act quickly and preserve your right to relief. Call 865-804-1011 for a free consultation or contact us online.