Trucks are crucial to the economy of the United States, as they transport food, building materials, and other products across the nation. However, despite the necessity of these vehicles, they can be intimidating to drive near. Unfortunately, due to the immense size and weight of these trucks, collisions involving them can be devastating. Many elements can lead to these collisions, but trucker fatigue often plays a significant role. If you’ve been impacted by a truck driver asleep at the wheel, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll discover who can be held liable and how a Monroe, Louisiana truck accident lawyer can assist you through these challenging times.
How Does Trucker Fatigue Happen?
Though it may come as a shock to some, trucker fatigue is very real. Many assume because this job does not seem as intensive as other manual labor jobs, the risk of drowsy driving isn’t as real as it is. However, many factors contribute to driver fatigue.
One most common reason is due to the mundaneness of driving. Many routes truckers take are long, straight roads. As such, the act of driving can be boring, especially considering the vast majority of drivers travel by themselves. The repetitiveness of the scenery mixed with the loneliness can make drivers drowsy.
Another leading cause of driver fatigue is the fact that often some tight schedules and deadlines must be met. As such, drivers often feel pressured by their employers to disregard the federal laws surrounding required break time. It’s important to understand that drivers are prohibited from driving more than eleven hours per day and must take, at minimum, a thirty-minute break for every consecutive eight hours on the road. Instead, employers and drivers disregard these safety measures, putting drivers and others on the road at risk.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
If you’re involved in an accident caused by a drowsy, sleep-deprived, or exhausted driver, it’s essential to understand how to proceed. Unfortunately, these accidents can cause severe damage. As such, you may find that you can incur extensive medical bills and mental health issues. It’s essential to know who can be held liable for these damages.
Generally, the trucker who violates the hours of service implemented to prevent accidents can be held liable. If a driver is encouraged by their logistics company to disregard federal law, their employer can also be found responsible for the injuries someone sustains as a result of a tired driver.
At Breithaupt, DuBos, & Wolleson, our dedicated legal team understands how life-changing these accidents can be for victims. Our firm will work to explore the details of your accident to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn how we can help you recover justice for the damages you’ve sustained.
