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Toll Free: (866) 907-1145 | Local: (919) 833-3370
Toll Free: (866) 907-1145
Local: (919) 833-3370
Raleigh Truck driver fatigue is a severe issue for many commercial truck drivers. Long hours on the road, minimal rest periods and pressure to deliver orders as quickly as possible can lead to hazardous driving conditions. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), more than 4,000 people are killed in large truck crashes every year due to driver fatigue. If you have been injured from an accident caused by truck driver fatigue, call The Law Offices of John M. McCabe to get the compensation you deserve.
Truck driver fatigue is a phenomenon in which long-haul truck drivers experience physical and mental exhaustion due to being on the road for many consecutive hours without rest. This type of fatigue is linked with severe consequences, including serious car accidents caused by impaired driving.
To reduce these risks, federal trucking regulations have restricted how many hours in a given period truckers can drive without taking a break. Unfortunately, truckers have been known to falsify their logs in order to avoid law enforcement detection and continue their work, despite the potential dangers posed by doing so.
Long-haul truck drivers are known to pull long days to meet deadlines and deliver goods and cargo needed. To meet these deadlines and get paid, truck drivers will often drive over their 11-hour limit, which endangers themselves and everyone on the road.
Driving a tractor-trailer requires training, proper licensing, and constant vigilance for ever-changing road conditions. Driving while tired:
Truckers who drive tired are putting the lives of hundreds of innocent people at risk. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently stated that 13 percent of commercial vehicle drivers in truck crashes were experiencing truck driver fatigue.
For just a second, think about a semi-truck's sheer size and volume. A commercial truck weighs an average of 10,000 pounds. Think about how much damage that truck can do when it hits a sedan because the truck driver fell asleep behind the wheel. Sadly, this is an all too common reason for car and truck accidents. Truck drivers will work past their 11-hour allotted time, fall asleep, and cause a serious car accident. These truck accidents cause severe injuries and, in worse cases, death.
In 2013 the trucking industry started new regulations that reduced the drive time from 82 hours a week to 70 (and, in some states, less). They went from 14-hour work days to just 11 and now require truck drivers to take a 30-minute break during the first 8 hours. Trucking companies that force drivers to disregard these regulations can be fined $11,000 per offense.
If you or a loved one have been in a truck accident caused by truck driver fatigue, you may be able to get compensation. And at the very least, the trucking company and truck driver should be held accountable to the fullest extent. Our truck accident lawyers are here to investigate your case and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Truck accidents in Raleigh can be devastating, leading to severe injuries and even death. The most common types of injuries caused by truck accidents in Raleigh are:
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need the help of an experienced Raleigh truck accident lawyer. At The Law Offices of John M. McCabe, we understand that recovering from your injuries is your top priority and that confronting the trucking companies and their insurers can be overwhelming. That’s why our truck accident attorneys are ready to fight for you. We are committed to holding all responsible parties accountable for the injuries they cause and will work hard to get you full and fair compensation for your medical bills, lost income, regular expenses, and pain and suffering.
There are many factors that contribute to Raleigh truck driver fatigue. Here are a few:
Driving at night increases the chances of truck driver fatigue. Although many truckers prefer driving at night when the roads are clearer, they still have to abide by state and federal trucking regulations.
Drivers who have been awake for more than 18 hours show significant impairment. That's why Raleigh truck drivers must adhere to the 14-hour rule and drive no longer than 14 hours.
Even when truck drivers adhere to the time rules of the trucking industry, not getting good quality sleep because of sleep disorders can cause fatigued driving. It's imperative that Raleigh truck drivers treat sleep disorders like sleep apnea before hitting the road.
Many truck drivers will have different shifts- from nine to five to graveyard. This inconsistent schedule by the trucking company could mean we can hold the truck company liable.
Because of the well-documented dangers of driving while fatigued, numerous federal regulations exist to prevent truck driver fatigue, and drivers are required to:
We are highly experienced in investigating truck accident cases involving truck driver fatigue. Common issues include:
We can obtain onboard computer information, phone records, and log books. We also depose company executives and safety managers to uncover the accidents caused by driver fatigue. Because of our extensive experience in handling truck accident cases, we are often asked to teach legal seminars on trucking regulations and driver fatigue.
At The Law Offices of John M. McCabe, P.A., in North Carolina, we have a wealth of experience handling driver fatigue accidents. Our truck driver fatigue lawyers have been helping clients in Raleigh and central North Carolina obtain compensation for truck crash injuries since 1994. We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your car accident case.
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