How Truck Driver Fatigue Impacts Potential for Accidents

Beloved comedian Tracy Morgan was hit a few years ago by a commercial Wal-Mart truck and suffered terrible brain injuries from which he is still recovering. In August 2015, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that the driver’s fatigue was one of the leading causes of this accident, which also killed fellow comedian James McNair. The truck driver had been awake for more than 28 hours at the time of the accident and had driven more than 800 miles.

Unfortunately, this tale is all too common, and all too fatal. Truck driver fatigue is a large-scale problem and does cause horrendous and often fatal accidents. If you have been the victim of a driver fatigue accident, you’ll need to work with an experienced Chicago truck accident attorney to recover just compensation.

Driver fatigue regulations

Of the many statutes and guidelines for motorists, there are both state and federal regulations designed to mitigate truck driver fatigue accidents. In Chicago, regulations are largely governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These guidelines state that:

• Commercial truck drivers should not work more than an average of 70 hours per week.
• If a driver is planning to work more than 70 hours per week, they must take a 34 (consecutive) hour rest during that time.
• Truck drivers are not to operate their vehicles for more than 11 hours at a time.
• Truck drivers should rest for at least half an hour in the first eight hours of their shift.
• Truck drivers should not drive more than 14 hours in one 24-hour period.

If you are involved in an accident with a truck driver who has violated any of these guidelines, you certainly have a right to investigate responsibility for negligence and unsafe driving. Sometimes, more than one party is responsible for a truck accident. The driver, the trucking company, and even sometimes the manufacturer of the truck can all play roles in your accident. A professional Chicago truck accident lawyer will review driving logs, company policies, and other files and information to examine the facts of your case.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a commercial truck accident involving driver fatigue, you are entitled to fair and honest compensation for your injuries and the lasting effects of these losses. Of the many Chicago truck driver accident attorneys, we at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers are focused on working closely and personally with you. We will examine your case thoroughly, conducting investigation, and help you get the compensation to which you are entitled. For a complimentary consultation, call 312-600-9585 or contact us today.