Drowsy or fatigued driving is dangerous under any circumstances, but it is especially hazardous when a commercial truck driver is involved. When a person is tired, their ability to safely operate a vehicle lessens. Given the inherent challenges of operating a large commercial vehicle, these risks are significantly higher with 18-wheelers.
Fatigued truck drivers in Brownsville accidents could be held liable for the injuries they cause others, but that process is not always easy. The good news is that our compassionate and aggressive truck accident attorney, Javier Villarreal, is here to help you seek the justice you deserve.
Driving a truck while tired is one of the leading contributors to serious accidents on Brownsville roadways. Exhaustion impairs a driver’s ability to react, make decisions, and stay alert behind the wheel. A range of factors makes tired drivers so dangerous.
Fatigue delays a driver’s response to sudden changes in traffic, such as a vehicle stopping abruptly or a pedestrian entering the roadway. In a fully loaded 18-wheeler, even a small delay in braking can lead to a devastating accident.
Drowsy drivers are more likely to make poor decisions, such as misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic or attempting unsafe lane changes. This kind of cognitive impairment can mimic the effects of alcohol or drug use.
Microsleep is a brief, involuntary episode of inattention that can last a few seconds. At highway speeds, a truck can travel the length of a football field during a microsleep. This is enough time for a truck driver to lose control and collide with another vehicle.
Fatigued drivers may drift across lanes or fail to stay centered in their lane, increasing the risk of sideswipes and collisions in intersections or merging areas. This risk is even higher when the truck operator is also distracted.
In an effort to reduce fatigue-related collisions in Brownsville and nationwide, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces strict rules for commercial truck drivers regarding the length and frequency of their rest stops. Under these regulations, most commercial drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, even with breaks. Additionally, truckers must take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving.
There are also longer-term rest requirements to consider, as operators may not exceed 60 hours on duty over seven days, or 70 hours over eight days, depending on their schedule. A trucker can also reset their weekly limits after 34 consecutive hours off duty.
You may be able to recoup financial compensation from a fatigued driver following a Brownsville truck accident, but the value of your claim can vary. Our attorneys can investigate the crash and help you understand what your case might be worth. Common types of damages in these cases include:
Our firm could help you seek the compensation you deserve following a collision with a commercial truck.
While fatigued truck drivers in Brownsville accidents may be held accountable after a crash, maximizing your recovery on your own can be challenging. Trucking companies have the resources to fight these claims, even when there is no doubt who is at fault.
Let us investigate your accident and advise you of your legal options. Before you consider a settlement offer, talk to the Law Champ, Javier Villarreal, about how we could hold the other side accountable. Call the Law Champ and Win by Knockout!
