Driving for the commercial trucking industry is a grueling profession, and drivers experience a great deal of pressure from their employers. Driving for long, solitary hours can lead to fatigued truck drivers in Grand Junction accidents.
If you suspect the truck driver who caused your collision was overly tired, our dedicated truck accident attorneys at Veritas Injury Lawyers can help you investigate whether fatigue played a role in your crash and determine if you can pursue a legal claim for compensation.
What Makes Fatigued Driving So Dangerous for Truckers?
Driving a vehicle while overly tired is similar to driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Compared to alert drivers, drowsy truck drivers in Grand Junction are considerably more likely to lose control, veer out of their lane, cause collisions with other vehicles, or even go off the road entirely. As tired drivers fight off the urge to close their eyes and sleep, they lack the mental ability to focus on the road and drive safely. If a traffic light turns red or the driver in front of them slows down, fatigued drivers might not be able to respond appropriately in time to prevent a crash. The consequences of a truck colliding with a passenger car are severe due to the difference in size and weight between the two vehicles.
Our compassionate local lawyers understand how debilitating trucking wrecks can be, and we can work closely with you to fight for the financial compensation you deserve and need.
Federal Laws To Reduce Fatigued Driving
The federal government has enacted strict regulations in an effort to minimize the number of crashes caused by tired commercial truck drivers in Grand Junction.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers can only work for a certain number of hours. Restrictions that are meant to combat trucker fatigue specify:
- A maximum of 11 hours of driving time, followed by 10 hours off
- A 14-hour driving window
- A 60-hour maximum driving time over 7 days in a row or 70 hours over 8 days in a row, followed by 34 hours in a row of not driving
Sadly, many commercial drivers feel pressure from their employers to meet delivery deadlines, so they push themselves to drive for too long. We can search through the evidence to see if the employer encouraged the trucker to continue driving while fatigued, violating FMCSA standards. Our determined legal team can skillfully examine the trucker’s log book, employee manuals, phone and text communications between the driver and their employer, maintenance logs that could indicate when the trip began, and bills of lading that could state when the items were delivered.
Call Our Lawyers in Grand Junction About a Wreck Caused by a Tired Trucker
Fatigued truck drivers in Grand Junction accidents should never occur. Unfortunately, some trucking companies care more about getting as much cargo delivered as possible than they do about the safety of their truck drivers.
If the truck driver who hit you was overly tired or fell asleep, our experienced local lawyers can help you fight for accountability from the trucking company. Contact us today to learn more.
