One of the most dangerous things a truck driver can do is get behind the wheel while drowsy or fatigued. Driver fatigue is part of the job for most truckers. It is a common issue among truckers, especially those who do long-haul trips. Operating a big rig while drowsy, however, is negligent and could be deadly. If you believe the truck driver who crashed into you in San Antonio was driving while fatigued, contact our attorneys for a free consultation about a personal injury claim.
Why Hire Our San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyers?
- Our lawyers are committed to providing services to each client according to the highest standards of care and ethics in the legal field. We bring our passion for justice to every case.
- Our truck accident attorneys have resolved hundreds of cases for their clients. We have the experience to take on even the most complicated cases.
- Our clients do not have to pay our San Antonio truck accident lawyers if they do not win their claims. We offer representation on a contingency fee basis.
Why Is Truck Driver Fatigue So Prominent?
Truck driver fatigue is a highly prevalent issue in the commercial trucking industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found in one study that 13% of truck drivers were fatigued at the time of their accidents. Truck driver fatigue is common due to the nature of the job. Long and strenuous hours on the road – often alone – combined with a lack of deep sleep, job-related stress and issues such as sleep apnea contribute to the prevalence of truck driver fatigue. It is a truck driver’s legal responsibility not to drive if he or she feels drowsy. Truck drivers must also follow hours-of-service regulations to help prevent drowsy driving accidents.What Are Hours-of-Service Regulations?
The main law in place to prevent truck driver fatigue is the FMCSA’s hours-of-service rule. This limits how many hours at a time a commercial truck driver can operate a big rig. The rule makes rest and meal breaks mandatory for operators who drive more than eight hours in a shift. Drivers must take off-duty time or periods spent in their sleeper berths for at least 30 minutes before continuing to drive. Commercial truck drivers also cannot exceed 11-hour driving limits after 10 hours off-duty, as well as a 14-hour total on-duty limit per day. Finally, truck drivers have 60/70-hour weekly limits across 7/8 consecutive days.Signs of Truck Driver Fatigue
Unfortunately, not all truck drivers obey hours-of-service regulations. In fact, some trucking companies encourage their drivers to break them by offering incentives or bonuses to drivers who make it to their destinations early. These are acts of negligence that could lead to liability for related collisions. If you notice any signs that point to possible truck driver fatigue, keep your distance and call the number listed on the back of the commercial truck to report a dangerous driver.- Breaking roadway rules
- Errors in judgment
- Drifting in and out of lanes
- Running the truck off the road
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Driving too slowly
- Coming to short stops
- Running through stoplights or stop signs