Overworked Truck Drivers Spell Disaster

Today, most commercial truck drivers have hours of service regulations with which they must comply when operating commercial trucks. These regulations were put in place in order to reduce the dangerous occurrence of driver fatigue, a leading cause of commercial vehicle accidents that results in hundreds of crashes nationwide every year – including numerous wrecks right here in San Antonio.

The law governing truck drivers is clear: truck drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours following a 10-hour break. Furthermore, drivers cannot be on duty more than 14 hours following that same 10-hour break, even if all that time doesn’t involve driving. If you have been involved in a collision with a commercial truck and suspect the driver was fatigued or tired, call the attorneys of Carabin Shaw.

One study on driver fatigue and alertness found that fatigue leads to:

• Longer reaction time to critical events
• More variable and less effective control responses
• Decreased motivation to sustain performance
• Increased subjective feelings of drowsiness
• Decreased watchfulness
• Decreased alertness to danger
• Increased lapses of attention
• Slower information-processing and decision-making

All of this goes to show that driver fatigue is a serious problem, and fatigue clearly has the potential to create serious hazards on the highways. And studies show that 30 percent of commercial truck wrecks are caused by driver fatigue.

When 18-wheelers are involved in a crash, the consequences are devastating for all involved. Commercial truck accidents kill thousands of U.S. motorists annually, and injure thousands more. Due to the massive size and weight of most semi-trucks – which can weigh thirty times more than the average car – these types of vehicles usually result in catastrophic injuries when they collide with passenger vehicles.

Eighteen wheelers require careful handling and alert drivers. But trucking companies continue to pressure drivers to meet strict deadlines, and thus unintentionally incentivize reckless or fatigued driving.

Furthermore, truck drivers only make money when their wheels are turning – that is, they get paid for the time they are driving, since truckers are paid by the mile. A driver’s “sitting time” is not compensated. Consequently, truck drivers will often push themselves past the brink of exhaustion in order to earn more money.

Restrictions on truck driver hours of service were implemented in an effort to keep drivers fresh and alert so the highways are safer for everyone. But many drivers still refuse to comply with these laws in an attempt to keep up with their employer’s demands – and are risking injuring or killing individuals around them as a result, because it’s clear from all available evidence that overworked truck drivers spell disaster.

If you’ve been in an accident with a commercial vehicle in San Antonio or the greater San Antonio area, the attorneys at Carabin Shaw are here to help. Our legal team of experts and investigators can help you determine whether or not driver fatigue may have played a role in your crash. Our experienced San Antonio overworked truck driver accident lawyers have handled numerous accident cases involving driver fatigue. At Carabin Shaw in San Antonio, our attorneys have an extensive record of obtaining the strongest possible settlements for our clients injured in truck accidents.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Texas, call us today so we can discuss your options and start working on your case right away. Our dedicated attorneys offer all new clients a free and confidential consultation, so you have nothing to lose by giving us a call. To receive your free consultation, call our attorneys anytime at 800-862-1260.