Most drivers have experienced drowsiness behind the wheel and the fear that comes with realizing how dangerous it is to fall asleep while driving. The risks are even greater when it comes to fatigued truck drivers in Clark accidents, where the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks can lead to devastating outcomes.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving a drowsy truck operator, you could be eligible for financial recovery. An experienced truck wreck attorney could investigate the cause, determine whether fatigue played a role, and help you pursue a legal claim.
Common Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue
Commercial truck drivers spend long hours on the road and often face demanding conditions. Although truck drivers in Clark receive training to operate large trucks, the nature of the job frequently leads to fatigue behind the wheel.
Truck Driver Schedules
In Clark, truck drivers must follow On-Duty Time and Hours of Service regulations intended to reduce unsafe conditions. These rules permit up to 14 consecutive hours on duty, with a maximum of 11 driving hours after 10 hours off duty, or 10 driving hours after 8 hours off duty. Drivers may also work up to 60 hours over seven days or 70 hours over eight days. Although these limits aim to promote safety, they still allow drivers to spend more than eight hours a day on the road for over a week without a full day off.
Strict Deadlines
Trucking companies typically expect drivers to maximize their schedules to get goods to their destinations as quickly as possible. To meet these demands, truck drivers not only drive the maximum number of hours allowed, but they often drive at night to avoid traffic. This usually means a poor, fragmented sleep schedule that takes place at a rest stop in the truck’s sleeper. Night driving and poor sleep lead to a greater risk of fatigue and dozing off while driving.
Compensation for Accidents Involving Truck Driver Fatigue
Large commercial trucks are several times larger than the average vehicle and weigh up to 80,000 pounds. They are difficult to maneuver in tight situations and impossible to stop quickly. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles make their impact catastrophic, and resulting injuries severe. Individuals involved in these accidents often face long recovery times with expensive medical costs and substantial time away from work. To help injured parties recover from damages, compensation may include:
- Emotional trauma
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Physical pain from injuries
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost work income or working capacity
- Losses associated with long-term disability
- Personal property damage (including car repair or replacement)
Compensation following a truck accident involving a fatigued driver in Clark depends on the severity of injuries and the specific details of the case.
Contact an Experienced Truck Crash Attorney for Assistance with Your Claim
Fatigued truck drivers in Clark accidents often cause devastating collisions that lead to serious injuries. Proving fatigue, however, requires specific evidence, including records of the driver’s schedule, rest periods, and behavior behind the wheel. If you were injured in a crash involving a drowsy truck driver, you may need experienced legal representation to support your claim for financial recovery.
The truck accident attorneys at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, understand the challenges of these cases. We have the resources to gather critical evidence and engage with insurers and defense counsel on your behalf. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your potential options following a fatigued truck driver accident.
