Truck Driver Fatigue
Accidents Caused By Truck Driver Fatigue
Representation for Injuries Caused by Trucking Accidents in Missouri
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) outlines hours of service regulations to reduce the amount of problems caused due to fatigue. Sleep deprivation impairs a driver’s ability to drive safely, and according to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, driver fatigue is a probable factor in 20-40 percent of truck accidents. Unfortunately, many of these accidents result in serious injuries to innocent drivers and passengers.
At Brown & Crouppen, in St. Louis and Kansas City, our lawyers handled hundreds of truck and commercial vehicle accidents in Missouri and Southern Illinois. Our attorneys know and understand the federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations and how they directly apply to the number of hours drivers are allowed to operate in a 24-hour period. If the driver and/or the company is negligent, we will work hard to hold those parties accountable.
Did you know? The law allows interstate truck drivers to drive 11 hours in a work period, prohibits driving after 14 hours since coming on-duty and requires at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty to re-qualify for a new work period.
Hours of Service and Accidents Caused by Truck Driver Fatigue
The average truck driver will drive more than 100,000 miles in a given year. With trucking revenues in the billions of dollars, it is easy to see why companies encourage truckers to drive for longer hours, and with shorter breaks, in order to increase profits. In order to get around the rules, some companies may falsify log books and other paperwork that is intended to track compliance with HOS regulations.
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Schedule a Free Initial Consultation to Discuss Your Truck Accident
For more information regarding driver fatigue and how it may have contributed to your accident, contact us at Brown & Crouppen and schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation. Call our office as soon as possible at 877-895-9191.