Although people generally refer to truck wrecks as “accidents,” in our experience, negligent and purposeful events often lead to truck crashes. As truck accident attorneys, we have seen the tragic outcomes of poor decisions by trucking companies and truck drivers. Often, truck companies push their drivers to the limits to make a profit. Consequently, truck drivers work long hours without much sleep and use prescription, non-prescription and even recreational drugs to stay awake. This is a threat to everyone on the road.
How Can You Identify Truck Driver Fatigue?
Truck drivers are required to abide by Georgia and federal regulations. These limit the number of driving hours per week and regulate how many hours a driver can be on the road before needing a break. Our trucking accident attorney investigates every wreck to pinpoint the events leading up to a truck wreck to determine who is responsible and hold them accountable. The law firm’s legal services span across the state. This allows us to work on behalf of Albany, Augusta and Savannah residents involved in truck crashes as well as victims and their families from Columbus, Atlanta and statewide.
Our truck accident law firm has significant experience litigating trucking cases throughout the state. We have also successfully appealed trucking accident issues to the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court. Read our past client testimonials and case results to learn more about our history of trucking litigation.
WHAT FACTORS LEAD TO TRUCK DRIVER FATIGUE?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are many factors related to driver fatigue and resulting crashes. These include:
- Sleep loss. A driver with sleep deprivation is more likely to experience driver fatigue
- The number of hours driven. Increased hours are more likely to result in fatigue
- Driving without breaks increases the accident risk.
- Driving under the influence of sedating prescription and over-the-counter medication.
- Sleep disorder. Driver may have an untreated case of sleep apnea or narcolepsy.
- Driving while intoxicated creates drowsiness.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has limited the number of hours a truck driver may operate his vehicle. This is an effort to reduce driver fatigue. However, companies often encourage their drivers to work as much as possible to gain profits. Truck drivers, for fear of their employment, then respond by pushing themselves to the limit regarding hours driving.
WHAT IF A TRUCKER WAS DRUNK OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE?
Federal law holds that a commercial truck driver may not have a blood alcohol concentration of .04 within three hours of driving. However, it is inexcusable for a truck driver to have any concentration of alcohol in his or her system when operating a big rig or 18 wheeler. Even if a driver was not technically over the limit for alcohol or had only over-the-counter or prescription drugs in his or her system, these mind-altering substances can easily cause driver error and truck wrecks.
To hold a truck driver accountable in a civil court, the driver does not have to have criminal charges pending. Always contact an experienced truck injury lawyer as soon as possible if you were in a tractor trailer accident.
More Info About Truck Driver Error
If you’d like to learn more about truck driver error, read through our informative articles below. We answer a range of legal questions regarding truck driver error.
More Truck Accident Resources
Additionally, if you’d like to learn more about truck accidents, read some of our helpful articles on the subject below. We explore all the different aspects of truck accidents and truck accident lawsuits to answer any questions you may have.
- Truck Accident FAQs
- Dump Truck Accident
- Logging Truck Accidents
- Farming Vehicle Accidents
- Multiple Negligent Parties In Truck Wrecks
- Truck Driver Error
- Trucking Company Negligence
- Deadliest Highways For Truck Accidents
