Driver tiredness impairs decision-making, reaction times, and awareness, making it as hazardous as driving while using alcohol or drugs. Unfortunately, Texas has a high rate of truck-related accidents, and truck driver fatigue is a significant contributing factor.
Truck operators who drive long hours transporting goods across the country are especially vulnerable to collisions. Our tractor-trailer wreck attorneys have experience dealing with cases involving fatigued truck drivers in Pasadena accidents, so reach out to Williams Hart & Boundas today.
Why Driver Fatigue is Dangerous
Fatigued truckers pose a risk to everyone and are a significant cause of collisions on roadways. Operators often feel fatigued while driving, including those driving semi-trucks and heavy haulers. Many report experiencing drowsiness or extreme exhaustion while driving, which can impair their judgment, slow reaction times, and lead them to lose control of the vehicle.
Pasadena crashes due to fatigued truckers are particularly catastrophic due to the size and weight of heavy commercial vehicles, and they can cause multi-vehicle wrecks on highways. In some cases, lack of adequate rest can impair big rig operators as much as drinking alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
What Regulations Apply to Truck Drivers?
State laws follow the federal hours-of-service (HOS) guidelines established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and include the following:
- The maximum daily driving limit is 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
- No more than 14 straight hours on duty, including non-driving tasks, in one workday
- Truckers have mandatory 30-minute break requirements after driving for eight hours without interruption
- Weekly driving limits are 60 hours for seven-day workweeks and 70 hours for eight-day workweeks
- After completing an entire workweek, a driver must not drive a truck for a minimum of 34 consecutive hours
Big rig operators can incur steep civil penalties of up to $16,000 for failing to comply with the regulations or for falsifying records. Furthermore, civil courts in Texas consider fatigue a form of negligence and hold drivers financially responsible for damages resulting from carelessness. Our attorneys are skilled in handling cases involving fatigued drivers in Pasadena truck wrecks and can review your case and answer your specific questions.
Causes and Risks of Driver Fatigue
Many factors may contribute to truck operator fatigue. Sleepiness due to insufficient rest is the primary cause of driver fatigue. Sleepiness can affect anyone who gets fewer than seven to eight hours of sleep per night, whether due to irregular schedules, time zone changes, or work and non-work stressors. Extended driving hours and circadian disruptions are also typical causes.
Truckers can substantially amplify their drowsiness when they drive during low-alertness periods, such as midnight to early morning. Work pressures, such as strenuous loading and unloading of cargo, meeting strict deadlines, and complying with HOS regulations, can also prevent drivers from getting enough rest when they are not at work.
Lifestyle and health issues—including having a poor diet, suffering from underlying conditions such as sleep apnea, or using over-the-counter medications—can also increase a driver’s risk of falling asleep. Our lawyers have experience handling collision cases resulting from tractor-trailer operator fatigue in Pasadena. We can investigate the cause of the crash and gather the evidence needed to prove fault and win you a fair settlement.
Contact a Skilled Attorney About Tired Truck Drivers in Pasadena Accidents
Motorist fatigue is a danger to everyone on the roadways, and the large sizes of commercial trucks can make it especially hazardous. Many state and federal road safety organizations warn that the effects of drowsiness can be as debilitating for drivers as alcohol.
You have the right to pursue compensation if a trucker’s negligence, or the negligence of a related party, caused you harm. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced lawyers for more information about fatigued truck drivers in Pasadena accidents.