Did a Fatigued Trucker Cause Your Truck Accident?
Vehicular accidents are dangerous accidents, but there are no traffic accidents as dangerous as semi accidents. After all, these vehicles are many, many times larger and heavier than the cars we drive. Whenever you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, you take on a massive responsibility. Because truck drivers are professional drivers, they shoulder an even greater responsibility when they take to the road. When truck drivers are fatigued, they endanger everyone with whom they share the road. If you or someone you care about was injured in an accident caused by a fatigued truck driver, you need an experienced Central Texas truck accident attorney.
Truckers and Limited Hours of Service
Strict hours of service (HOS) limitations are imposed on truck drivers for one very good reason – fatigued truckers are dangerous truckers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets forth exacting regulations that determine how many hours truck drivers can spend behind the wheel:
Truckers can drive no more than 14 hours in any period of duty.
This maximum of 14 hours must account for all the time that the driver spends on the road, including breaks and gas stops – which cannot be subtracted from the maximum of 14 hours.
Truckers may drive a maximum of 11 uninterrupted hours, which must include at least one 30 minute break for every 8 hours spent behind the wheel.
There are also restrictions related to a truck driver's weekly maximums, and when drivers deviate from these standards and drive beyond the imposed maximums, they are almost certainly too fatigued to safely operate a big rig. Regardless of their actual level of fatigue, when truckers are in violation of federal law, there's a good chance they can be held liable for any accidents they cause.
The Trucking Industry
The trucking industry is an enormous business that is continually growing and one that has a very difficult time keeping up with demand. The more consumer goods we clamor for, the busier the trucking industry becomes – these massive trucks are the mechanism for delivering consumer goods. As demand increases, some truckers are stretched too thin and extend their driving hours beyond what is safe.
Proving Trucker Fatigue
If a drowsy trucker has left you injured, you know how devastating that is, but how can you prove that a trucker’s fatigue caused you to be injured? The FMCSA implements exacting HOS regulations for this very reason – to demonstrate when truckers are driving under the influence of fatigue. If you’ve been injured by a fatigued trucker, an experienced Central Texas truck accident attorney will obtain the truck driver’s Electronic On-Board Recorder (EOBR) and build a strong case in support of your claim.
If You’ve Been Injured by a Fatigued Trucker, Consult with an Experienced Central Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Truck accidents are serious accidents, and if a fatigued trucker has left you injured, you need experienced legal counsel. The dedicated truck accident attorneys at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Central Texas have the skill, knowledge, and compassion to aggressively advocate for the compensation to which you are entitled. We’re here to help, so please contact or call us at (254) 220-4225 today.