Charlotte Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyer
Driving while too tired can lead to catastrophic crashes and injuries. This is why there are rules and regulations in place to prevent truck drivers from driving while fatigued. Truck drivers are supposed to follow these rules and when they do not and end up causing an accident, they could be held negligent. If you have been injured in a truck driving accident due to the driver being fatigued, reach out to a seasoned truck driving collision attorney. A Charlotte truck driver fatigue accident lawyer could help you pursue the compensation that you deserve.
Rules and Regulations in Place to Prevent Truck Driver Fatigue
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is a federal agency with the goal of reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities among large trucks and buses. Some of the rules and regulations put in place specifically concern driver fatigue. For instance, a driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Federal law also requires a driver to take a 30-minute break after driving for eight consecutive hours. Drivers must keep a log of both their times on driving and their rest period so that they can faithfully follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act. When a driver violates the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act, it can lead to a suspension of their driving privileges.
Also, the commercial driving license that a truck driver must obtain to drive the vehicle have certain heightened requirements they must follow. For more information about the rules and regulations regarding truck driving and fatigue, contact a Charlotte truck driver fatigue accident lawyer.
Leading Cause of Driver Fatigue
Many times, truck drivers are under pressure to complete their load to get paid or they may be under pressure from their employer to finish the job. Therefore, sometimes corners are cut with rest periods due to the pressure involved with completing a run. These are the leading causes of truck driver fatigue. If the employer put pressure on the driver to finish the job at a certain time which violated the required break times, then the trucking company could be held liable for the accident.
Examples of Accidents Caused by Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue often leads to loss of control of the vehicle, which can lead to a number of different accident scenarios such as going through signal lights at intersections, drifting off on the side of the road at interstate speeds, or running into the back of someone’s car. Other common types of accidents caused by driver fatigue include rollover and side-swipe accidents. Anytime a driver loses control of the vehicle, there could be an accident. Due to the size of tractor-trailers, truck collisions can cause serious catastrophic injuries.
Establishing Liability
In truck driver accidents, the driver and the trucking company share the same responsibility. It is usually the trucking company’s insurance company that covers insurance for both the driver and the company. Therefore, if there is an accident, the claim itself will be paid by the trucking company’s insurance provider.
If it was found that the truck driver was not liable or did not cause an accident for negligence, then they could be absolved of the liability. One example would be that the truck driver had a heart attack, with no prior history of heart attacks or health issues. This would be considered a sudden medical emergency and may absolve that truck driver and the company of liability. A Charlotte truck driver fatigue accident lawyer could asses the facts of the case and determine liability.
Contacting a Charlotte Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Attorney
When you are injured in a wreck that was caused by someone else, it is only fair that you are able to recover damages. A Charlotte truck driver fatigue accident lawyer could work tirelessly to help you file a claim, prove liability, and collect the damages that you need. An attorney will keep your best interests in mind throughout the process and inform you of your options. Call today to schedule a consultation with an accomplished legal professional.
