×
×
The Horwitz Law Group

call/text for free consultation
312.641.9200

Search
≡Menu
Search
Menu
Blog
Text
Call

Blog

HomeBlogAuto AccidentsThe Dangers of Driver Fatigue in Commercial Trucking
28 January, 2023

The Dangers of Driver Fatigue in Commercial Trucking

Driving for long hours and across large distances can be exhausting. When drivers get tired, more accidents may occur. Driving when tired has recently been compared to driving while intoxicated, so the dangers of exhaustion are clear. More mistakes and delayed reaction times are increasingly apparent when driver fatigue rises. This is especially significant for commercial truck drivers. Driver fatigue in commercial trucking is on the rise, and it may lead to increased collisions. 

Driver Fatigue is a Common Problem

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated one in 25 people have fallen asleep on the road while driving. Further, this causes over 70,000 accidents and 40,000 injuries per year. Sleep deprivation and driver fatigue can clearly result in collisions. However, how does this apply to commercial trucking?

Commercial drivers work long hours. While some people may believe that a truck driver is more used to these hours and conditions, they are still humans and get fatigued. Unfortunately, unlike a regular motor vehicle, commercial trucks are large and can lead to more damage than a smaller car can. These heavier vehicles can cause injuries to the driver themselves as well as many other drivers on the road when an accident occurs. In short, it’s important to recognize that distracted and fatigued drivers of commercial trucks can result in significant damages and injury.

What Causes Truck Driver Fatigue?

There are many key causes of driver fatigue, but some are more apparent than others. These often include difficult conditions and poor management practices. Specifically, a major cause of truck driver fatigue is the long hours associated with the position. Truckers are legally allowed to drive for up to 11 hours at a time on 14-hour shifts, with the other three hours consisting of general vehicle maintenance, loading and unloading, and a 30-minute break. Further, only a 10-hour rest period between shifts is mandatory, meaning that drivers may continue their trip for days at a time with little recovery. These hours are sure to add up and lead to sleep deprivation, thus potentially resulting in collisions. 

Another cause of driver fatigue in the trucking industry is employer negligence. In these instances, on top of the pressure that companies put on truckers to work long hours, they may not train truck drivers appropriately. This includes training them to ignore the truck driving regulations. This, in turn, results in longer shifts and unsafe conditions for truckers. If there is evidence of company negligence, they may be held responsible for their negligence. 

Hire a Truck Accident Attorney

If you’ve been a victim of a truck accident and sustained damages after a truck driver was fatigued at the wheel, you may be eligible for compensation. To identify whether you have a case at hand, it could help to work with an experienced accident attorney like those at The Horwitz Law Group. They can walk through the details of your case and identify possible next steps to take. To schedule a consultation with The Horwitz Law Group and discuss how we can best help you, contact us today.

03 January 2023
How to Prove a Driver Was Distracted After an Accident
05 March 2023
Who May Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Illinois?

Categories

Archives

Testimonials

Case Results

$6,900,000.00

for a motor vehicle wrongful death case.

$5,300,000.00

for a 75-year-old woman who suffered an above the knee amputation due to being run over by a private school bus.

$4,500,000.00

for a young lady who was run over by a private waste hauling company while crossing the street.

$3,600,000.00

for a trucking accident resulting in the death of the driver.

$3,000,000.00

for a 70 year old man who died, without any living relatives, seven months after being hit by a car while crossing the street.

$2,300,000.00

for a client whose family was killed by a street sweeper that ran a red light.

$2,100,000.00

for a client injured in a 2005 Metra train derailment case.

$1,600,000.00

for a minor rear-ended on an expressway in Kankakee.

$1,400,000.00

for a premises liability accident resulting in below the knee amputation.

$1,200,000.00

for a woman who was hit by a car while crossing the street.

$1,197,000.00

for a client who was injured on the CTA red line train.

$900,000.00

for a bicyclist hit by a car.

$800,000.00

for a passenger injured in a rideshare rollover accident.

$750,000.00

for a rideshare accident injury.

$600,000.00

for a low-speed rear-end accident.

$500,000.00

for injuries in a van accident pulling a trailer.

$500,000.00

for a minor injured in a ride-share accident.

$495,000.00

for a pedestrian injured due to a sidewalk defect.

$350,000.00

for a passenger injured in a rideshare rollover accident.

$289,000.00

for a driver injured in an auto accident.

$270,000.00

for injuries from a right-turning truck.

$260,000.00

for a family injured in an auto accident.

$255,000.00

for a law enforcement officer rear-ended by a truck.

$250,000.00

for a motorcyclist rear-ended.

$233,000.00

for an individual injured by a dog.

$225,000.00

for a bicyclist hit by a car while crossing the street.

$201,000.00

for a driver rear-ended on the expressway.

$175,000.00

for a client who had lawyers at another law firm trying to settle the accident case for only $60,000.

Tell Us About Your Case

To arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced Illinois injury lawyer complete the e-mail form below.

Chicago Office

20 N. Clark Street Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60602 | USA

Phone: 312-641-9200
Fax: 312-641-9201

Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing certain contact information herein, you are expressly authorizing the recipient of this message to contact you via the methods of communication provided.

NUVEW | Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Notice