Truck Accidents Caused By Driver Fatigue

Every commercial truck driver knows how hard it is to operate an 80,000-pound vehicle. Besides having to pay attention to the way the truck is maneuvered, every trucker has to rest and respect the hours of service rules.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), almost 40 percent of all accidents involving a truck is due to a trucker’s fatigue.

Driver fatigue is usually caused by the following reasons:

• Lack of sleep
• Lack of rest
• Driving too many hours in a row
• The pressure to deliver the cargo on time

Here is more information on fatigue and how it affects a trucker’s driving abilities.

Lack of Focus

After driving for 7 hours straight, the driver becomes tired. His brain does not work in the same way, and his eyes are starting to close. At that point, it is easy to miss a traffic sign or the speed limit sign, resulting in excessive speeding. The faster the truck goes, the more time it requires to stop. Also, if pulling one or more trailers, every sudden stoppage will cause the trailers to skid forward, causing jackknifing. 

Truckers have many blind spots like it, and fatigue only amplifies that. They are in constant danger of getting involved in an accident, and all it takes is one simple mistake.

Ignoring The Hours Of Service Rules

Every trucker should be aware of the hours of service rules. Basically, they are allowed to drive for a certain amount of time, after which it is mandatory that they get some sleep and rest. Refusing to obey the rules and continuing to drive will cause severe exhaustion and fatigue, and will put everyone on the road in extreme danger. 

Truckers are not allowed to drive more than 60 hours in one week, or more than 70 hours in 8 days. They are required to take a long break after 24 hours on the road. 

Everything is regulated by a logbook, and falsifying data is a violation, punishable by the law. If you have been involved in a truck accident, contact Los Angeles Truck Crash Lawyers and seek counsel. The initial consultation is free of charge, so do not hesitate to get in touch.

Negligent Hiring and Supervision Of Truck Drivers

Most commercial companies have a way of selecting their drivers. It is in their best interest to protect both their trucks and drivers. 

However, some ignore the standard procedures and hire people with a lack of focus and other issues, who are not suitable for driving a truck. Every negligence, when hiring or supervising a truck driver, will backfire on the company, leaving them responsible for any potential accident caused by the driver. 

If you get caught in a truck accident caused by a fatigued or negligent driver, call the Personal Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles and let them help you obtain compensation for your injuries. The lawyers are experienced and seasoned experts who will do everything in their power to help you receive the compensation that you deserve.