Exhausted truckers threaten highway safety, as lack of sleep significantly impacts their physical and mental performance. They are at risk of extreme drowsiness, falling asleep at the wheel, impaired decision-making, and slower reaction times. Commercial trucks are challenging to control safely in the best circumstances, and operators must get plenty of rest to ensure they are awake and alert when they get behind the wheel.
You could be eligible to obtain a settlement if you were in a crash caused by the carelessness of a trucker. Call to speak to a hard-working truck accident attorney experienced with cases resulting from fatigued truck drivers in Lake County Accidents if you have questions or need help with a claim.
Similar Effects to Alcohol
Lack of sleep is debilitating and can have similar effects on the trucker as drinking alcohol, as both can cause impairments and increase the risk of crashing. Drinking alcoholic beverages and fatigue can reduce reaction times, impair judgment and concentration, decrease coordination, and increase the risk of dozing off while behind the wheel.
While lack of adequate sleep is dangerous for all motorists, the large size and weight of heavy commercial vehicles increase the risk of severe collisions with life-threatening or fatal injuries. During the consultation, a knowledgeable attorney skilled in handling cases from fatigued truck operators in Lake County collisions could answer questions and provide legal advice.
Hours of Service Rules Compliance
Hours of Service rules, or HOS, are the maximum time truck operators may stay behind the wheel in one shift and for the week. The federal organization called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is a division of the Department of Transportation. It regulates driving hours to prevent fatigued trucker crashes in Lake County and across the state, as well as promotes road and highway safety. The guidelines include:
- Operators may not drive past the 14th successive hour
- Truckers working eight days straight cannot work over 70 hours
- After 8 hours of truck operation, all drivers must take 30-minute breaks
- Commercial truck operators working seven days a week cannot work over 60 hours
- All truck drivers must remain off duty for at least 34 straight hours to reset the work week
- Truckers may operate the vehicles for a maximum of 11 hours after remaining off duty for at least 10 consecutive hours
Operators who violate the HOS rules could be subject to exorbitant fines, loss of driving privileges, and other penalties. Further, the administration could penalize the trucking company for neglecting to ensure their employees adhere to the regulations.
Exceptions and Considerations
Some of the exceptions and considerations include:
- The sleeper berth provision allows drivers to divide the requirement for 10 hours off-duty into two parts
- Truckers may extend their hours of operation time if they must stop during adverse weather and poor road conditions
- Short-haul commercial vehicle operators may be exempt from the HOS regulations when the vehicle and hours they drive qualify
A lawyer seasoned in handling cases involving fatigued truckers in Lake County crashes could gather the documentation, such as the operator’s records and logs, to verify compliance with the rules.
Speak to a Qualified Attorney About Lake County Accidents From Fatigued Truck Drivers
Commercial truck operators have an essential, tiresome, and often stressful job crucial for the country’s economy. However, the massive size of vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, makes crashes particularly severe. Therefore, the federal government oversees and strictly regulates the industry to reduce the potential for severe and deadly road and highway wrecks. Call today to speak to a qualified lawyer skilled in handling cases resulting from fatigued truck drivers in Lake County Accidents. Contact us today for a free case review.
