Car accidents cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars in property damage each year in the U.S. Problems in road safety have reached an alarming state that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated car crashes to become the third most serious threat to human health by 2020.
In recent news, a rollover accident happened late last week on southbound Interstate 17 near Sunset Point killing 24 of the 37 animals that were on board (AZ Central).
According to report, the Arizona truck accident occurred early Friday morning while the driver was believed to be on his way to Phoenix. The surviving cattle were injured and sent to Prescott.
Police believed fatigue may have been a factor in the accident. The man had been driving for 17 hours before the accident occurred.
The crash caused traffic to back up for six to eight miles and has blocked the right lane of the freeway.
The driver was reportedly unharmed in the accident.
Fatigue caused by long hours of driving may result to loss of focus and alertness which can lead to accidents. The best advice for people experiencing such symptoms while on the road is to stop driving and find a place to rest. Resting every two hours and avoiding large meals and medications that can cause drowsiness before driving can also help in preventing fatigue from taking over while on the road.
Truck accident victims in the Arizona area may contact our Arizona truck driver fatigue accident lawyers at (480) 389-2463 for a free consultation.
Two separate but related truck accidents in Arizona resulted in the deaths of three people. According to The Arizona Republic, the fatal truck accidents in Phoenix occurred near the border of La Paz and Maricopa counties on the Interstate 10. Officials say fatigue may have played a part in the first crash when a truck driver veered into oncoming traffic causing the big rig to overturn. A car struck the overturned truck and burst into flames. Four of the occupants of the car were able to escape with minor injuries, but the elderly passenger in the front seat was killed.
About an hour and half later, traffic backed up from the first crash. A rear-end collision between a semi-truck and a van resulted in two fatalities. A man and a passenger were both killed when the van they were in rear-ended a semi-truck, which had been stopped in traffic because of the previous collision.
Late night and early morning crashes often result from a combination of fatigue and limited visibility. It is crucial that all Arizona motorists never drive when drowsy and to limit driving in the middle of night. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 100,000 crashes occur every year as a result of drowsy driving. About 1,550 people are killed and 40,000 are injured in car accidents related to fatigued driving every year.
Truck drivers in particular are governed by federal hours-of-service regulations that require truckers to get adequate rest between shifts. Truck drivers are also required under federal law to maintain driving logs.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent truck driver in Arizona, please contact the experienced truck driver fatigue accident attorneys in Phoenix at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. We know how to preserve important evidence after a truck accident such as driver logs and vehicle maintenance records. Call us today at 602-457-6222 to find out how we can help.
Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes for serious and fatal highway accidents involving large trucks in Arizona and across the nation. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which monitors commercial trucks and buses, has set hours-of-service regulations that set specific limits as to how many hours commercial truck and bus drivers may operate on a daily and weekly basis. Starting in 2012, a new rule issued by FMCSA will go into effect, which will require truck and bus companies that exhibit patterns of hours-of-service violations to install electronic on-board recorders in all their vehicles. As experienced truck crash attorneys in Phoenix, we believe this is an important step in reducing the number of big rig accidents.
What are on-board recorders? Basically, they are like black boxes in airplanes that record the number of hours drivers spend operating the vehicle automatically. When companies fail to properly maintain manual records or when they are caught falsifying them, these on-board recorders ensure that they are doing so accurately and regularly.
Truck drivers have been known to doctor their driving logs in order to meet unrealistic deadlines set by trucking companies. When truck drivers and trucking companies willfully violate safety procedures and put the lives of others in grave danger, they must be held accountable. On-board recorders should be made mandatory for all commercial buses and truckers, not just violators.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an Arizona truck driver fatigue accident caused by a negligent driver or trucking company, please contact the experienced personal injury lawyers of The Breyer Law Offices P.C. We will remain on your side, fight for your rights and work diligently to obtain fair compensation for all your injuries, damages and losses. Call us today at 602-457-6222 to find out how we can help.
By Truck Accident Attorney on April 13, 2011 -
The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks makes them a formidable presence on Arizona roadways. Truck drivers must remain focused at all times and, as such, it is crucial that they are well rested before they hit the road. Recent studies have shown that fatigued driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. This is a serious problem for truck drivers since many truckers work very long, continuous shifts as they travel cross-country to meet their deadlines and delivery schedules. To limit the amount of time a truck driver may work and reduce the chances of an Arizona truck driver fatigue accident, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes strict regulations on the number of continuous hours they may work.
Property carrying commercial vehicle drivers must limit their driving to 11 hours after 10 hours of being off duty. Truckers also may not drive more than 60 or 70 hours on duty during seven- or eight-day periods. This cycle may only begin again after 34 hours of consecutive time off. Drivers who violate these restrictions face hefty fines. Truck drivers are required to log these hours.
In truck accident cases that involve a fatigued driver, a knowledgeable truck accident attorney will know how to secure the truck driver’s log to show the hours worked and if the driver was violating federal regulations. In such cases, the injured victim may pursue financial compensation for the injuries suffered in the crash. The truck driver’s employer may also be held liable in such cases.
The experienced Phoenix truck accident attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. help injured victims of Arizona truck crashes receive fair compensation for the damages they have endured. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Arizona truck accident, please call us at 602-978-6400 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
By Truck Accident Attorney on February 11, 2011 -
A number of dangerous Arizona truck accidents are caused by fatigued truck drivers who should not be on the road. Truck drivers often work long, continuous shifts. In many cases, drivers are offered incentives to earn extra money if they arrive at their destinations early. Drivers who try to meet unrealistic work schedules often end up violating the federal truck drivers’ hours-of-service regulations. More importantly, they are at risk for driving while fatigued and causing serious truck accidents.
Some studies show that truck driver fatigue in Arizona and throughout the United States can be just as dangerous as someone who is driving under the influence of alcohol. There are many differing opinions on how large a role driver fatigue plays in truck accidents. While some experts believe that about 30 percent of all truck accidents involve truck driver fatigue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has reported that the number should be closer to 15 percent.
The U.S. Department of Transportation enforces strict restrictions on commercial truck drivers. Truck drivers are allowed to only work 10 consecutive hours without an extended break period. Truck drivers are also required to keep a log of their hours worked to verify that they are following these regulations.
If you have been injured by a fatigued truck driver, you may have an uphill battle proving your case in court. Truck drivers typically have powerful insurance companies and attorneys on their side who will attempt to dispute any allegation. But an experienced Arizona truck accident lawyer will know the appropriate documents to request, such as driver logs, to determine if the truck driver was fatigued at the time.
The experienced Phoenix truck accident lawyers of the Breyer Law Offices P.C. have successfully represented injured victims against large trucking firms. We have the skill, knowledge and the resources necessary to win these cases and obtain fair compensation for our injured clients. Call us at 602-978-6400 for a no-cost consultation.
