Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck driver fatigue is a very dangerous condition that can lead to devastating truck accidents, personal injury or even wrongful death. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) indicates that driver fatigue is an important cause of truck crashes, including tractor-trailer accidents, semi-truck crashes, 18-wheeler accidents and other commercial vehicle accidents involving large trucks. According to the FMCSA, after driving between eight and ten hours, the risk of a truck crash doubles. The Administration also found that the risk doubles again between the tenth and eleventh hours of solo driving.
Upon assessment of the situation, the FMCSA determined that many truck drivers operate their vehicles despite fatigue. Not only is this discovery troubling, it also reveals the potential that exists to lead to serious truck accidents. Some estimates indicate that driver fatigue may account for more than 30 percent of trucking accidents. Furthermore, there is widespread speculation by the FMCSA and others that the majority of truck drivers operate their 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers or semi trucks despite severe fatigue – sometimes to the brink of falling asleep at the wheel.
Governmental restrictions currently limit the amount of hours truck drivers can operate their vehicles during both a 24-hour period and a weekly period. According to U.S. Department of Transportation rules, a long-distance truck driver cannot drive more than 11 hours per day, and cannot work more than 14 hours (this includes driving and non-driving duties). In addition, regulations require a driver to have a minimum of 10 hours of off duty time between working periods.
Due to factors such as freight schedules, time constraints, roadway conditions and other reasons, however, drivers of large trucks often avoid or even disregard these limitations. Factors that contribute to truck driver fatigue include driving for extended time-periods without a break, not getting enough sleep and other issues such as driving at night. According to the FMCSA, trucker fatigue can lead to:
• Decreased level of driver alertness
• A driver’s failure to recognize or interpret a dangerous situation
• A driver’s failure to take appropriate action to avoid unsafe circumstances
If you have been injured in a truck accident, or if a truck crash took the life of someone you love, you deserve the representation of an experienced and ethical truck accident lawyer. The truck accident attorneys at LaBovick Law Group will defend your rights and fight to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve. Our team will also aggressively pursue any compensation you may be entitled to receive. If you have been injured in a truck accident, call 1-888-777-3884 now.
We help truck accident victims throughout Florida, including Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Broward counties, and the cities of Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale and many other areas.
Upon assessment of the situation, the FMCSA determined that many truck drivers operate their vehicles despite fatigue. Not only is this discovery troubling, it also reveals the potential that exists to lead to serious truck accidents. Some estimates indicate that driver fatigue may account for more than 30 percent of trucking accidents. Furthermore, there is widespread speculation by the FMCSA and others that the majority of truck drivers operate their 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers or semi trucks despite severe fatigue – sometimes to the brink of falling asleep at the wheel.
Governmental restrictions currently limit the amount of hours truck drivers can operate their vehicles during both a 24-hour period and a weekly period. According to U.S. Department of Transportation rules, a long-distance truck driver cannot drive more than 11 hours per day, and cannot work more than 14 hours (this includes driving and non-driving duties). In addition, regulations require a driver to have a minimum of 10 hours of off duty time between working periods.
Due to factors such as freight schedules, time constraints, roadway conditions and other reasons, however, drivers of large trucks often avoid or even disregard these limitations. Factors that contribute to truck driver fatigue include driving for extended time-periods without a break, not getting enough sleep and other issues such as driving at night. According to the FMCSA, trucker fatigue can lead to:
• Decreased level of driver alertness
• A driver’s failure to recognize or interpret a dangerous situation
• A driver’s failure to take appropriate action to avoid unsafe circumstances
If you have been injured in a truck accident, or if a truck crash took the life of someone you love, you deserve the representation of an experienced and ethical truck accident lawyer. The truck accident attorneys at LaBovick Law Group will defend your rights and fight to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve. Our team will also aggressively pursue any compensation you may be entitled to receive. If you have been injured in a truck accident, call 1-888-777-3884 now.
We help truck accident victims throughout Florida, including Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Broward counties, and the cities of Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale and many other areas.
