Truck Driver Fatigue Accidents

East Texas Truck Wreck Lawyer, (903) 965-2000

One of the most dangerous situations occur when drivers are fatigued. This is certainly true when it comes to automobile collisions. But considering the size and weight of 18 wheeler vehicles, truck driver fatigue can pose a potentially fatal risk in a truck wreck. If you have been injured in a truck accident, your truck driver is most likely to blame for the accident. We can look into the details of the accident to help determine whether driver fatigue, driver texting, or whether another factor is to blame.

Federal Trucking Laws & Regulations

Truck drivers and their companies are governed by a set of strict federal rules and regulations.

Here’s what you need to know about trucking laws:

• Federal laws restrict the amount of time that a truck driver can operate an 18-wheeler. But, most truck drivers are paid by the mile or per trip. So, the more the drivers drive, the more money they can make. The truck driver pay system is designed to reward drivers who drive more. So many drivers are willing to take risks in violating the Federal laws limiting drive time in order to get paid more. When it comes to truck driver fatigue, this is a potentially deadly situation.
• Federal laws also require truck drivers and truck companies to maintain driver log books that contain data on trips scheduled and vehicle operation. These, too, are intended to generate a record of driver activities and help to avoid or prevent truck driver fatigue. However, there are many documented instances where the driver log books are falsified or incorrect.

With the increased oil and gas activities across the State of Texas, including the fracking and hydraulic drilling activities, recent studies have shown that fatal truck wrecks are on the rise. Despite the intentions of the Federal Motor Carrier Administration regulations, the pure economics of driving shows that many companies value their profits more than they value the safety of their employees and others on the roadways.

Discuss Your Truck Injuries for Free – (903) 965-2000

If you are injured as a result of being hit by an 18-wheeler or other big rig, it is imperative to obtain the driver logs and rig data immediately, or else that data may be destroyed. This is why it is so important to hire an experienced East Texas truck wreck attorney with knowledge of trucking accidents. Our team at The Flowers Law Firm P.C. can get to work immediately to help you build a strong case.

If you have been injured as a result of an 18-wheeler accident and you suspect that truck driver fatigue may have contributed to the truck wreck, get started on your case today.