Phoenix Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyers
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Truck Driver Fatigue
We all know that spending too much time behind the wheel without rest is dangerous, and most drivers have had at least one close call where they fell asleep at the wheel and woke up halfway into a ditch or began drifting into the oncoming lane. It’s a very scary experience for the driver and even more scary for anyone in danger of being struck by a drowsy driver. In the past, trucking companies pushed truck drivers to spend too many hours behind the wheel, and many horrible accidents occurred because the companies wanted to make more money. Eventually, state and federal governments passed laws to protect everyone else on the road and mandated how long a truck driver can remain behind the wheel without a break and how long the breaks need to be. However, some companies and drivers still break these Arizona trucking laws to increase their profits, and hundreds die every year as a result.
Laws Governing Truck Driver Fatigue
Accident statistics compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) indicate that over 750 people are killed and 20,000 more are injured each year in accidents caused by fatigued truck drivers. Most of these deaths and injuries could be avoided if trucking companies and drivers obeyed the law, but some of them continue to value money over lives. According to current FMCSA laws, truck drivers can spend no more than ten consecutive before taking a minimum eight-hour break. As you might have noticed, this still allows drivers to drive 16 hours in a 24-hour period, a dangerous situation that has prompted calls for tougher guidelines. To illustrate the dangers of drowsy truck drivers, consider the following facts:
- Driver fatigue is a contributing factor in at least 30 percent and perhaps as much as 40 percent of all truck accidents.
- A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that fatigue was a contributing factor in 75 percent of truck accidents where the truck left the roadway.
- Accident investigators have found that the risk of a truck driver falling asleep and causing an accident doubles from the eighth to the tenth hour of driving, and doubles again from the tenth to the eleventh hour of driving.
Experienced Arizona Truck Accident Attorneys Helping Injured People Since 1996
If you or a close family member has been injured in an accident caused by a drowsy truck driver, you have a right to seek damages to help defray the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, ongoing medical care and other costs. You also have a right to seek damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, the inability to work and other hardships caused by the accident. If you’re looking for an Phoenix big rig accident lawyer who has the skills, experience and resources to help you, call the attorneys at Breyer Law Offices today at (602) 267-1280.
