Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue in 18 Wheeler Truck Accidents

Texting and driving, drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs, and driving while fatigued all endanger motorists on the road, however operating a Semi Truck while fatigued is perhaps one of the most fatal actions due to the size and weight of an 18 wheeler. In the event you have been involved in a collision with a semi truck in San Antonio, it is imperative to seek a qualified attorney immediately, as there are many factors that go into deciding who is at fault when 18 Wheeler Accidents occur.

First and foremost, when operating a semi truck in San Antonio, commercial drivers must follow strict guidelines out on the road to ensure the safety of themselves and their surrounding drivers. At Carabin Shaw, our team of experienced lawyers is well trained on the topic and is here to help you make sense of the aftermath of a trucking accident.

Of course one of the first guidelines to safely operating an 18 wheeler is being drug and alcohol free, although when it comes to sleep, there is one simple rule all semi truck drivers must follow: The 11/14 rule. This is a major regulation put in place to keep all motorists safe. A truck driver may only operate his vehicle for 11 hours out of a 14-hour on duty period. After that threshold is reached, the driver must be off duty for a 10 full hours before returning to the roadway. When this does not happen and an accident occurs, the truck driver may be at fault. That’s what our team of San Antonio lawyers is here for – to ensure a thorough investigation is held to help you recover and receive the appropriate compensation after a serious accident.

Sleep deprivation and fatigue in 18 wheeler truck accidents are costly errors that certainly can be avoided. We must first look to the driver to have the integrity to follow the laws while operating his semi truck. Then we must look at the trucking company to hold their drivers accountable. The state regulations are clearly stated and it is the responsibility of the trucking company to monitor their drivers accordingly to be sure they are in fact following the strict guidelines put in place by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The rules seem simple enough to follow, right? In a perfect world this would be true. Yet, according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sleep deprivation is a factor in over 100,000 accidents and more than 1,550 fatalities per year in the United States. Now studies indicate that fatigue or sleep deprivation may be a contributing factor in at least 30 to 40% of all large truck accidents.

Most individuals do not realize the dangers presented to us all by large commercial trucks and vehicles on our roadways, but sleep deprivation and fatigue in 18 wheeler truck accidents are all-too-common occurrences on the road. Individuals often are seriously injured (or worse) in these kind of trucking accidents. Regrettably, many of these accidents could have been avoided. The main reasons for truck accidents are caused by negligence stemming from distracted drivers, fatigued drivers, under trained drivers, and improper maintenance. In the instance of being involved in an accident with a semi truck, you definitely want a knowledgeable attorney on your side to help you present your case and fight for you to gain the largest award possible.

In the event that you are injured in San Antonio by a semi truck accident, and there is evidence suggesting a driver or company did not follow the guidelines as outlined by the FMCSA, our San Antonio 18 wheeler accident lawyers are here to help you litigate your case and help you recover from all the damages incurred by the accident. Sleep deprivation and fatigue in 18 wheeler truck accidents maybe a common occurrence, however that does not mean you have to be a victim to it. Our attorneys here at Carabin Shaw have many years experience in dealing with these types of accidents and we are waiting for your phone call so we may assist you with your case today! Call us anytime at 800-862-1260.