Truck Driver Fatigue Accidents: Federal Regulations & Your Rights

Truck drivers operate massive vehicles capable of causing catastrophic injuries in a crash. Federal regulations recognize the inherent danger involved in operating these vehicles and mandate that drivers take scheduled rest breaks.

If you have been involved or lost a loved one in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue, you deserve to be compensated for your damages. You need an experienced truck accident injury attorney who knows what to look for and how to prove your claim.

The Baton Rouge truck driver fatigue lawyers at Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys have represented truck accident victims for decades and have recovered billions of dollars for our clients. We want to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. 

Call (225) 999-1111 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. 

Why We Are Your Best Choice

• We have decades of experience handling complex truck accident injury cases.
• We have recovered numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for our truck accident injury clients.
• We have the skills and resources to thoroughly investigate your accident, determine all possible causes, and identify all potentially liable parties. 
• We possess an intimate understanding of federal and state trucking regulations that impact truck driver fatigue accident claims. 

Reasons You Need an Experienced Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Injury Attorney

• An experienced truck accident attorney will investigate the root cause of the accident by gaining access to and examining trucking company records, driver logs, black box data, and other sources of vital evidence to support your claim. 
• An experienced truck accident injury attorney will look for a pattern of negligence within the trucking company, such as expecting drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, encouraging them to ignore important safety guidelines, and failing to monitor drivers’ hours of operation. 
• An experienced truck accident attorney will be able to accurately calculate the full value of all your damages, including current and future medical expenses, current and future lost wages or loss of employment opportunity, pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, and much more. Most experienced personal injury attorneys have a wide network of professionals they consult with to help value a client’s case, such as medical experts, economic experts, and mental health experts. 
• An experienced truck accident attorney is usually an excellent negotiator capable of securing a fair settlement without going through a lengthy trial. However, if a fair settlement offer cannot be reached, they will be ready to take your case to trial and hold the at-fault parties responsible for the full extent of your damages. 

What Is Driver Fatigue?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) states that driver fatigue is the result of physical or mental exertion that impairs performance. It may be caused by a lack of adequate sleep, extended work hours, strenuous work or non-work activities, or a combination of other factors. 

Driver fatigue impairs a driver’s alertness and may lead to slower reaction times, lack of concentration, and poor judgment. 

According to the FMCSA, thirteen percent of commercial drivers were fatigued when they crashed. 

Federal Regulations Impacting Driver Fatigue Claims

Federal law has established rules to help prevent driver fatigue. They are referred to as hours of service (HOS) rules and are designed to limit how many hours a driver can operate their truck without taking a mandatory break. 

The HOS rules set forth in 49 CFR 395 mandate that:

• Commercial drivers can drive for no more than eleven hours in a fourteen-hour period, which includes breaks to eat and use the restroom. 
• The fourteen-hour driving period begins only after a driver has been off-duty for at least ten consecutive hours. 
• Drivers must take at least a 30-minute break every 8 hours. 
• Drivers may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty for 7-8 consecutive days. However, they can restart a 7-8 day period after taking 34 or more hours off duty. 

Who Is Liable For My Injuries In A Driver Fatigue Accident?

At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, our experienced truck accident lawyers carefully investigate every accident to determine its causes and potentially liable parties.

A truck driver fatigue accident may be caused by a negligent driver who violates the HOS rules. A negligent trucking company may also be liable for failing to monitor HOS hours or for expecting a driver to meet unrealistic deadlines.

Our attorneys will identify important evidence to determine liability and prove your case. Some of the evidence we consider may include driver logs, cell phone data, driver receipts, social media posts, maintenance records, and the truck’s black box data. 

Our attorneys will investigate your accident thoroughly to determine its cause and liability and help ensure you recover maximum compensation for your damages. 

Contact an Experienced Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Injury Attorney

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue, you deserve to be compensated for your damages.

Trucking accident injury cases can be complex and expensive to litigate. You need an attorney with the experience, skills, and resources to get you the compensation you deserve.

At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we have been handling complex truck accident cases for decades and have recovered billions of dollars for our clients. 

Our Louisiana truck accident attorneys have a deep understanding of all state and federal laws relevant to truck accident injury cases, and we have the skills and resources to help clients recover maximum compensation. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you are entitled to.

Call (225) 999-1111 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.