Semi truck accidents result in devastating consequences, leading to the death of thousands of people and injuries to exponentially more every year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 13 percent of commercial motor vehicle drivers were considered to be fatigued at the time of the crash.
If you suspect fatigue played a part in an accident that injured you or a loved one, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side who can gather the evidence necessary to establish this critical factor. Contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your case with a skilled San Antonio truck accident lawyer.
What Is Fatigued Driving?
According to the FMCSA, fatigue results from physical or mental exertion that impairs a driver’s performance. Fatigue may be due to any of the following:
- Lack of adequate sleep
- Extended work hours
- Strenuous activity
- A combination of other factors
Dangers of Fatigued Driving in San Antonio
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsiness is a serious issue that results in the preventable deaths and injuries of many people each year. Driving while drowsy causes impaired cognition and performance, even mimicking the effects of drinking and driving. The NHTSA cites the following effects of driving while fatigued:
- Less responsive to driving events
- Difficulty maintaining a lane
- Greater likelihood of falling asleep behind the wheel
- Difficulty keeping eyes open
- A combination of other factors
According to the NHTSA, an elevated crash risk was associated with a fewer number of hours of sleep in the 24 hours leading up to the crash in a large sample of crashes. Drivers who reported six to seven hours of sleep had a 1.3 times increase in crash rate while drivers with less than four hours of sleep were 11.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash, compared to drivers with seven or more hours of sleep in the preceding 24 hours. About 14% of truck drivers reported a near-crash due to drowsiness.
What Are Hours of Service Rules?
The federal government recognizes the dangers of fatigued driving and has implemented hours of service rules most truck drivers must comply with to combat them. For drivers carrying property only (as opposed to passengers like bus drivers), drivers cannot drive more than eleven hours after taking ten consecutive hours off duty. They also cannot drive beyond the fourteenth consecutive hour after coming on duty, following ten consecutive hours off duty. They must take a 30-minute break after driving for eight hours. Drivers cannot drive after 60 hours on duty in a consecutive seven-day period or 70 hours after a consecutive eight-day period. They can take a break period of 34 consecutive hours to restart the seven- or eight-day period.
How Can I Prove Fatigued Driving Caused My Accident in San Antonio?
Unfortunately, many trucking companies and drivers prioritize profits over safety and flagrantly violate the hours of service rules. It was common for truck drivers to keep fraudulent logs in which they misreported the number of hours they had driven to try to trick law enforcement officers and safety inspectors about hours-of-service compliance. However, today, commercial trucks are required to use electronic logging devices. An experienced car accident attorney in San Antonio can demand these logs and gather other evidence to establish the connection between driver fatigue and the accident.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation with a Fatigued Truck Driving Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by a fatigued driver, George Salinas Injury Lawyers can help. We can investigate your case, gather strong evidence, and demand the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.