The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C. Blog
Monday, August 16, 2010
Driver Fatigue (Truck Accidents)
A major factor in truck accidents is driver fatigue that leads to some 750 fatalities and 20,000 injuries each year. Some 30% of all semi truck accidents are caused by driver fatigue according to some experts. Trucking industry sources claim that the number is closer to five percent. Whatever the actual number is, it’s clear that driver fatigue is a significant issue and contributing cause in truck accidents.
Drivers of all types of vehicles are susceptible to driving while tired. Anyone in any vehicle driving while fatigued is a potential safety hazard. The size of a tractor-trailer truck is a significant factor in the severity of crashes of trucks. When you get into an accident with a truck you can typically expect the damage to be more severe and the injuries more serious.
There are U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations in place that govern driving time and rest periods for truck drivers. Much of the reporting is the responsibility of the drivers themselves which provides a challenge in accountability. The biggest challenge may be that drivers are often compensated based on their schedules and timeliness. This can be seen as incentivizing drivers for prioritizing schedules over safety. Trucking companies by their policies typically emphasize that safety including driver rest is of paramount importance but often their emphasis on delivery requirements is perceived to be more important.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a truck determining cause and liability will take some work. Please contact The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C. to engage our legal team with a proven track record of making trucking companies pay.
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Megan P
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