Truck Driver Fatigue | 18 Wheeler Accidents in Big Spring

18 wheelers are a danger any time you’re driving in Big Spring, Texas. Their enormity means an accident with a big rig can have serious consequences. There are an array of factors that can lead to an 18 wheeler accident, but one of the most common is truck driver fatigue. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that fatigue accounted for nearly 15% of all accidents involving an 18 wheeler.

If an 18 wheeler accident in Big Spring injured you or a loved one, you need justice. An 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Big Spring, Texas can assist you. Our dedicated team at Carabin Shaw is ready to hear your case. Let a lawyer at our firm help you create a plan of action to hold those accountable who harmed you.

Driving fatigued is a serious hazard on the road for everyone in Big Spring, Texas, including the driver. 60% of drivers have driven drowsy, according to the National Sleep Foundation, and nearly a third of drivers admit that they have fallen asleep at the wheel. Talk to a Big Spring truck accident attorney if the trucker who caused your accident fell asleep while driving.

Dangerous changes can take place in a fatigued driver’s mind, including:

• Slowed reaction times
• Inability to recognize road hazards
• Impaired judgment
• Swerving between lanes
• Falling asleep at the wheel

Studies show that drowsy driving is equivalent to driving intoxicated, making a fatigued driver just as dangerous as one driving under the influence. If you or a loved one was involved in a fatigued driving trucking accident, a Big Spring truck injury lawyer is here to review your case..

Every truck driver has a limited number of hours they can drive at any given time. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets these limits to prevent drowsy driving. If the truck driver that caused your wreck exceeded these limitations, an attorney could use this information to win your case. By law, truckers are allowed to drive 11 hours consecutively after they have taken a 10-hour break. Within one week, they are not allowed to drive more than 60 hours, and this rule further limits them to 70 hours in eight days. There are a few more specifications that a Big Spring truck accident attorney can explain to you. Regardless, any violation of these rules means an 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Big Spring, Texas has evidence to hold the driver legally liable for their actions.

Trucking cases involving fatigue can be complicated because two parties could be held liable in court based on the evidence: the trucking company or the driver. The trucking company is responsible for making sure their drivers comply with federal regulations. If there is evidence that they don’t, they can be held accountable. If the company followed all the rules, but the driver falsified logs or got behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have, the driver can be legally liable. Every Big Spring truck injury lawyer will tell you, it all depends on the unique circumstances of your case. An experienced attorney will know who to go after in court.

If you were in an accident, you might be asking, “Who can help?” We can. The Carabin Shaw law team is the best in the business, and we’ve helped hundreds of clients get justice for wrongs. Let us be the 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Big Spring, Texas that gets you the compensation you deserve. Speak with a lawyer at our firm today.

For a free consultation, call 432-620-0544 or get in touch with us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260.