Hollywood Truck Driver Fatigue Accident

Tired truck driver sleeping in his cabin

Operating a large commercial truck is a specialized skill that requires knowledge, experience, alertness, and complete focus. When truck drivers are fatigued behind the wheel, catastrophic drowsy truck driving accidents can occur, leaving victims with painful and possibly life-threatening injuries.

If you were injured in a Hollywood, FL tired trucker accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses. The Hollywood driver fatigue accident lawyers of Rosen & Ohr, P.A. can help you build a strong claim to hold negligent parties accountable and demand the money you need to recover.

Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.

What Causes Truck Driver Fatigue?

Truck drivers may become fatigued for many different reasons, including:

  • Driving for long periods – The monotony and isolation of long hours on the road can make even the most seasoned long-haul truckers drowsy.
  • Driving overnight – Remaining alert and focused behind the wheel when your body is ready for sleep can be extremely taxing, both mentally and physically.
  • General lack of sleep – No matter the time of day, truckers who are sleep-deprived due to limited rest time or poor sleeping habits are at risk.
  • Time changes – Truckers who drive cross-country can become fatigued when their bodies’ internal clocks need time to adjust to time zone changes.
  • Medical conditions – Certain conditions such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy can make it harder to stay alert during the day or achieve restful sleep at night.

How Fatigue Impacts Driving

According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Fatigue affects safe driving abilities by:

  • Slowing reaction time and reflexes – Fatigued truck drivers are not as quick to recognize or respond to traffic emergencies.
  • Increasing distractibility – Drowsy drivers are more likely to become lost in thought or absorbed in non-driving activities.
  • Impairing judgment – Fatigued drivers often lack the judgment needed to gauge the trajectory of traffic or identify potential hazards.
  • Impairing memory – Drowsy drivers tend to have difficulty with memory recall, which can make it harder to remember speed limits or warning signs. It can also make it easier for them to get lost or miss exits and turns.
  • Increasing the risk of automatic behavior – Fatigued drivers are more likely to act without thinking, which can be risky in emergency traffic scenarios.
  • Increasing the risk of falling asleep – Drowsy drivers are often at risk of long blinks or even dozing off behind the wheel.

Risks for Drowsy-Driving Crashes

Any of the following factors can increase a truck driver’s risk of drowsy driving crashes:

  • Sleep loss – Lack of quality sleep reduces alertness, coordination, reaction time, and even the judgment needed to recognize dangerous levels of fatigue.
  • Driving patterns – Drivers who frequently change time zones or drive late at night are more likely to experience sleep disruptions.
  • Use of sedative medications – Sedative medications can help in the short term, but lingering side effects can impact a driver’s abilities long after waking.
  • Untreated sleep disorders – Untreated sleep apnea or narcolepsy can leave drivers without the quality rest they need to remain alert and safe on the road.
  • Alcohol consumption – Some drivers use alcohol to help themselves sleep at night, leading to a dangerous cycle of dependency and chronic fatigue.
  • Certain prescription and OTC drugs – Many common prescriptions and over-the-counter cause drowsiness as a side effect.

If several of these factors are present, interactions between different risk factors can increase a driver’s overall likelihood of causing drowsy driving accidents.

Who Is Liable for a Truck Crash Due to Fatigue?

In most cases, truck drivers are liable for truck crashes caused by fatigue. Drivers are responsible for obeying relevant hours of service (HOS) rules and recognizing when their driving abilities are affected by drowsiness. When truck drivers feel dangerously fatigued, they should pull over to rest for their safety and the safety of others.

Trucking companies are also frequently liable for fatigued truck accidents. For example, if a driver works past the point of exhaustion because of company policies that encourage drivers to ignore federal HOS rules, the company may be liable for subsequent drowsy driving truck accidents.

If the trucker was an employee – not an independent contractor – of the trucking company, rules on vicarious liability usually make the company responsible for the trucker’s negligence.

Truck Driver Hours of Service Regulations in Hollywood, Florida

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes hours of service (HOS) regulations on truck drivers to discourage drowsy driving and reduce the risk of fatigued driving truck crashes. Drowsy driving laws require truck drivers to:

  • Drive no more than 11 hours per day after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
  • Refrain from driving beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Extra off-duty time cannot extend this 14-hour maximum.
  • Take one 30-minute break after working for eight cumulative hours without a 30-minute interruption.
  • Drive no more than 60 hours within seven consecutive days or 70 hours within eight straight days. A seven- or eight-day period resets after 34 or more consecutive hours spent off-duty.

In extreme weather conditions, drivers may extend the 11-hour drive time limit and the 14-hour driving time window by two hours.

How to Prevent Drowsy Driving Truck Accidents

Truck drivers can avoid excessive fatigue and prevent drowsy driving accidents by:

  • Practicing good sleep habits and sleeping at least seven to eight hours per night
  • Proactively managing scheduled time to avoid having to play catch-up later on
  • Scheduling regular stops along routes to rest, stretch or take mental breaks
  • Talking to a doctor about any prescribed medications that may cause fatigue
  • Avoiding alcohol and over-the-counter or illicit drugs that cause drowsiness
  • Talking to a doctor if there is a problem achieving consistent, restful sleep
  • Eating before and during routes to maintain stable energy and avoid crashes

 When to Contact a Lawyer After a Fatigued Driver Truck Accident

When you’re injured in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue in Hollywood, FL, you need the help of an experienced attorney to recover physically and financially. Contact the experts at Rosen & Ohr, P.A. for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you pursue fair compensation for your losses.

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