Commercial trucks are an essential part of the transportation system, moving goods across California and throughout the country. However, operating a large commercial vehicle requires full attention, sound judgment, and quick reaction times. When a truck driver becomes fatigued, these abilities may be affected, potentially increasing the risk of a serious collision.
Truck driver fatigue can develop for many reasons, including long shifts, inadequate sleep, irregular schedules, overnight driving, and pressure to meet delivery deadlines. In addition, when specific requirements are not followed, exhaustion may become an important issue, especially during the investigation process.
Understanding Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck driver fatigue usually refers to physical or mental exhaustion that may interfere with a driver's ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle. Fatigue does not always mean that a driver actually falls asleep behind the wheel. A tired driver may remain awake but experience slower reaction times, difficulty concentrating, reduced awareness, or impaired decision-making.
Long-distance truck drivers may face circumstances that make fatigue especially concerning. They may spend many hours traveling on repetitive stretches of highway, drive overnight, or work schedules that interfere with normal sleep patterns. Warning signs of driver fatigue may include the following.
- Frequent yawning or blinking
- Difficulty keeping the eyes open
- Drifting between lanes
- Missing exits or traffic signs
- Delayed reactions to changing traffic conditions
- Difficulty remembering recently traveled miles
- Inconsistent speed
- Brief periods of reduced awareness
Since commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than most passenger vehicles, a fatigued driver's delayed response may have serious consequences.
What Are Hours-of-Service Regulations?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes Hours-of-Service regulations for many commercial motor vehicle drivers. These rules limit driving and on-duty time and establish rest requirements intended to help drivers remain awake and alert.
For many property-carrying commercial drivers, federal regulations usually provide that a driver may drive for up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. The driver generally may not drive beyond the 14th straight hour after coming on duty following the required off-duty period.
Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after eight cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption. Federal regulations additionally set limits on total on-duty hours over consecutive seven- or eight-day periods.
Hours-of-Service Violations and their Relevance
Hours-of-Service violations do not necessarily prove that fatigue caused an accident. However, evidence that a driver exceeded applicable driving limits or failed to take required rest periods may become relevant when determining how and why a collision occurred. Fatigue-related truck crashes may involve the following.
- Rear-end collisions
- Lane-departure accidents
- Sideswipe collisions
- Jackknife accidents
- Highway crashes
- Intersection collisions
- Multi-vehicle accidents
The circumstances surrounding each collision must be evaluated individually to determine whether fatigue or an Hours-of-Service issue contributed to the accident.
The Importance of ELD’s
Many commercial drivers subject to federal Hours-of-Service requirements use electronic logging devices, commonly called ELDs, to record driving and duty status information. Following a truck accident, these records may provide information regarding how long a driver had been operating the truck and whether required rest periods were recorded.
Other potentially relevant evidence may include dispatch communications, GPS information, fuel receipts, delivery records, inspection reports, employment records, vehicle data, and witness statements. Evidence may also help investigators determine whether a trucking company knew about scheduling or compliance issues.
Who is Liable?
Depending on the circumstances, an accident investigation may extend beyond the individual truck driver. Trucking companies usually have responsibilities related to the operation of their commercial vehicles and compliance with applicable safety regulations. Questions may arise regarding scheduling practices, driver supervision, recordkeeping, training, or company policies. Evidence may also be reviewed to determine whether driving records were inaccurate or whether dispatch schedules created concerns regarding compliance. Other parties may also potentially be involved depending on the facts, including but not limited to the following individuals.
- Vehicle owners
- Maintenance providers
- Contractors
- Cargo-related entities
- Other motorists
Types of Injuries that may Occur
Since there is a significant size and weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, occupants of smaller vehicles may suffer significant injuries in a collision. Potential injuries may include but are not limited to the following.
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Other forms of physical harm
Treatment may involve emergency care, diagnostic testing, physical therapy, rehabilitation, surgery, medication, or follow-up medical appointments. The nature and extent of treatment will depend on the individual's injuries and medical circumstances.
Legal Support and Guidance
Speaking to a legal professional after experiencing injuries from a vehicle collision is an important step to understanding your options and receiving support. Legal guidance may help victims with their personal injury claims and provide them with a sense of care and support.
How KAASS LAW Can Help
Our legal team at KAASS LAW is determined to help those who have been involved in an accident caused by truck driver fatigue. Our qualified personal injury attorneys may be able to review the facts surrounding your case, speak to insurance companies on your behalf, and guide you through every step of the legal process. If you have been involved in a vehicle collision due to truck driver fatigue, you are not alone. Call KAASS LAW today for a confidential consultation and to learn more about your options moving forward.