Houma Fatigued Driver Accidents

Driving while overtired is extremely dangerous. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration considers drowsy driving or driving while tired just as serious a problem as if the truck operator was driving while intoxicated. It is hard to estimate how many crashes are caused by drowsy driving. Trucks with big rigs are one of the more dangerous vehicles to be involved in a drowsy driving crash because the size and weight generally cause catastrophic and fatal injuries.

Fatigued truck drivers may fall asleep, go off the road and strike another vehicle legally parked, or even cause a head-on collision by drifting into another lane. The drowsy driver is not going to be alert enough to be able to exercise their reactions in the same ability as if they were alert. If you were involved in a Houma fatigued driver accident, speak with a dedicated truck accident lawyer. You may be owed financial compensation to cover your medical bills and the continuing future costs of the damages you sustained in the accident.

Is it Legal for Truckers to Drive While Fatigued?

There are rules and regulations in place to prevent truck driver fatigue. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that commercial truck drivers limit how many hours they are allowed to drive in a day. Operators may not drive 60 to 70 hours on duty in seven or eight consecutive days. If they do, they must take 34 hours off duty to rest.

If the rig has a sleeper berth, drivers are required to take eight consecutive hours in the sleeper. That could be consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, off-duty, or a combination of the two. Consulting with a personal injury attorney who works with trucking law could help ensure that all regulations are fully understood, potentially preventing accidents. Drivers must also keep electronic records of their hours driving and resting that must be submitted to their carrier.

Liability in Houma Drowsy Driving Truck Accident Cases

If the driver of a big-rig has driven longer hours than the law allows, an injured person likely has a good liability case against the driver. Additionally, the carrier has responsibility to monitor the drivers’ logs and if the time limitations are violated regularly, the carrier may be considered negligent in allowing the driver to continue to operate unsafely.

If the trucking company is found to be responsible, they are liable for the actions of its employee by vicarious liability. If a driver is operating a vehicle while fatigued, they are violating the work hours, and the company is responsible for their actions. In almost all situations, both the driver and their employer will share in the fault.

In some circumstances if there was a defect in the equipment the driver could not have reasonably been aware of, the operator may have no responsibility for ensuing damages. However, for any accident involving a fatigued driver in Houma, the operator will almost always be at least partially liable. A dedicated drowsy trucking lawyer could help injured parties to hold negligent truck drivers accountable for the injuries they have caused.

Let a Houma Drowsy Driving Attorney Help You Recover Compensation

Driver fatigue could lead to rear-end, sideswipe, head-on, and striking parked vehicle collisions, as well as other cases of loss of  control and running red lights. Any of these accidents could severely affect more vulnerable, smaller vehicles and pedestrians. If you or a loved one was injured in a Houma fatigued driver accident, you deserve justice.

The medical bills and lost wages during your recovery could change your whole life, but relief may be available by pursuing monetary compensation. Call a legal team experienced with truck accident cases to learn how much your case might be worth.