Lawyers For People Injured Due To Truck Driver Fatigue

Did driver fatigue play a role in your serious highway collision with a commercial truck driver?

When commercial truckers are negligent with their driving, ignore their professional and legal responsibilities and overlook hours of service rules, the highway accidents they cause can seriously injure, maim or kill innocent drivers in Tennessee.

When that happens, the experienced personal injury lawyers at Bart Durham Injury Law in Nashville spring into action.

Our attorneys have come to the aid of thousands of car and truck accident personal injury victims across the state of Tennessee. Our law firm has handled a broad range of truck accident injury cases involving catastrophic injuries to law-abiding motorists and wrongful death for their loved ones.

We passionately advocate for you when an accident is caused by driver fatigue, shifting loads, vehicle rollover and distraction. Bart Durham attorneys work hard for the full financial compensation you are seeking to defray injury expenses such as vehicle repair, lost wages and mounting medical bills.

We also make sure that the person who struck you, the company who employs him or her, and their insurance company know about the physical pain and suffering and emotional trauma you have suffered since the accident.

Contact us for a free consultation. Reach us toll free at 800-844-1712 from wherever you are in Tennessee.

 

Understanding the Risk of Drowsy Driving for Truckers

Truckers may be at risk for driving drowsy because sleep is hard to attain, drowsiness cures do not work and they are more likely to be ill while driving.

All drivers in Tennessee and Kentucky have a risk of driving while tired. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are around 6,000 annual automobile collisions that result in a death across the country. While anyone behind the wheel could get overly tired, commercial drivers are part of a group that have a higher risk of being drowsy while operating a vehicle. This potential sleepiness could lead to a higher likelihood of big rig-related accidents.

Getting good rest is one of the biggest tips big rig operators get about keeping tiredness at bay. However, many semi drivers struggle to get adequate levels of sleep while on the road. Not only are many expected to sleep on beds in the cab, but they are also expected to meet deadlines and drive a certain number of miles each day. These deadlines may require truckers drive even when sleepy.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that the body is naturally tired between the hours of 2 pm to 4 pm and 12 am to 6 am. Semi operators often do not get to choose the hours they work. Instead, they must drive to get to their destination as quickly as possible.

Because professional long-distance drivers spend so much time behind the wheel, they often try to do certain activities expected to wake them up. These activities could include the following:

  • Listening to the radio at high volumes.
  • Talking with someone on the phone.
  • Getting fresh air by opening the window.
  • Drinking coffee or another caffeinated beverage.

These so-called drowsiness cures are not cures at all. Some of them may not do enough to actually wake up the driver, and others may take too long to kick in to make a difference.

Truckers have a higher chance of being tired while driving because they are more likely to be behind the wheel while ill. There are many medications that can induce drowsiness and therefore increase the risk of a crash. For example, if a commercial driver is suffering from a cold, he or she may take cold medicine to eliminate his or her suffering. However, this type of medication may have ingredients that make people tired. For this reason, it may be better for truckers to deal with the symptoms of their illness rather than take pills or syrups.

Truckers that go through Tennessee and Kentucky tend to spend a lot of time on the road, so it is no surprise that they have a higher risk of getting tired while behind the wheel. If an accident takes place involving a big rig, it may be beneficial to work with an attorney.

Justice Is Your Right. At Bart Durham Injury Law, We Demand It.

Maximum driving time and record of duty status are two elements that can determine the chances for driver fatigue. Tennessee truck drivers are not permitted to operate their vehicles if their alertness is impaired by fatigue, illness or medication.

Our lawyers are also careful to investigate truck driver-related accident details such as:

Our decades of combined experience and recognized reputation for results make us the Nashville attorneys you need for truck accidents caused by driver fatigue. Contact us immediately if you suspect that a fatigued truck driver’s negligence has caused an accident that injured you.

Call Toll Free For Your Free Consultation

We can come to your home or hospital room if you are unable to travel during your recovery from your truck accident injury. For a free consultation about an accident case, call Bart Durham Injury Law. Your initial consultation is free of charge. Reserve it now by calling 615-242-9000 or Toll Free at 800-844-1712. Our firm accepts accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you owe no attorney fee unless you recover money in a settlement or jury verdict. Se habla Español.

 

Learn What to Do After a Car or Truck Accident