Driver Fatigue

Clark Law Group > Personal Injury > Truck Accidents > Driver Fatigue

Attorney for Truck Accidents Caused by Driver Fatigue in Texas

Truck driver fatigue is a serious problem on America’s highways. Truck accidents caused by driver fatigue can result in serious injuries and fatalities. In these situations, injury victims and their families will be looking for answers about who was responsible for a truck wreck and how they can address the injuries and damages they have experienced. If you have been involved in such an accident, you will need to determine the best steps to take to protect your rights and receive financial compensation for your injuries.

Dallas Driver Fatigue Truck Accident Lawyer

experienced truck accident attorneys

The experienced truck accident attorneys of Clark Law Group will work with you to determine your best options in these situations. Trucking companies and insurance carriers will often try to minimize their liability in these cases. Our attorneys can level the playing field and help you obtain much-needed financial compensation. We will gather evidence to show that a negligent truck driver and the trucking company that employed them were responsible for your injuries, and we will fight to make sure you can obtain the compensation you deserve.

The Dangers of Truck Driver Fatigue

Drowsy driving and driver fatigue for operators of 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles is a serious and growing problem on roads and highways in Texas. When truck drivers become fatigued, their reaction time is slowed, and they are more likely to make mistakes that can lead to truck accidents. In some cases, truck drivers may even fall asleep while behind the wheel, and this can result in deadly truck wrecks. These crashes can cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death for people in the other vehicles involved in a collision.

Some common reasons for truck driver fatigue include:

Long hours of truck driving without adequate rest – Truck drivers can travel hundreds of miles within a single shift, and after spending multiple hours behind the wheel, they are more likely to become drowsy or be too tired to operate their vehicles safely. Federal regulations limit the number of hours that truck drivers can drive, and they also require regular breaks, including a certain number of hours of sleep between shifts. However, truck drivers may sometimes drive beyond their maximum number of allowed hours, and they may falsify log books in order to stay on the road longer and minimize the time needed to deliver cargo.
Lack of proper sleep – Even when truck drivers take the required breaks, they may not get enough sleep to ensure that they are adequately rested and able to operate their vehicles safely. In some cases, truck drivers may suffer from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea that prevent them from getting proper rest. A person’s ability to sleep may also be affected by irregular schedules, and when truck drivers operate their vehicles at night or after dark, they are more likely to become tired or drowsy.
Substance abuse – The use of alcohol or drugs can significantly increase truck driver fatigue and the risk of truck accidents. These substances impair a truck driver’s cognitive abilities, reaction time, decision-making skills, and judgment, which can have potentially fatal consequences on the road. Even if a driver does not use drugs or alcohol while driving, these substances can prevent them from getting proper sleep, making them more likely to become fatigued while behind the wheel.
Medications – Certain prescription drugs or other medicines can lead to drowsiness or fatigue. For example, opioids that are taken to treat chronic pain can affect a driver’s strength, their awareness of what is happening around them, and their ability to maintain focus on the road. Even some over-the-counter medications, such as those used to address cold and flu symptoms, can cause drowsiness, putting truck drivers at risk of causing dangerous accidents.

Contact Our Dallas Truck Wreck Lawyers for Driver Fatigue

If you have been injured in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue, the experienced truck accident attorneys of Clark Law Group can help you understand the best options for obtaining financial compensation. We will fight to make sure that you are justly reimbursed for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the truck wreck. Contact us today at 469-906-2266 to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about how we can help with your case.