Long distance truck drivers drive long hours and travel far distances.  These hours cause sleep deprivation and irregular sleeping habits, all of which can lead to driver fatigue.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that falling asleep behind the wheel causes up to 100,000 motor vehicle accidents a year.  These fatigue-related crashes cause up to 71,000 injuries and at least 1,500 deaths.  Here at McMinn Law Firm, we want to protect you or anyone you know who has been injured or affected by an accident involving a truck and/or truck driver fatigue.  By contacting a lawyer to be on your side in the event of a truck-related accident, you can be assured that you will know all of your options and the best way to demand justice.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Hours-of-Service Regulations (49 CFR Part 395) prohibit truck drivers from driving more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.  These regulations should prevent truck drivers from experiencing sleep deprivation and fatigue on the road while driving, but many drivers commonly falsify their log books so they can record the maximum amount of distance driven (most drivers get paid by the mile) in the shortest amount of time possible.  This causes us to believe one of two things: either these drivers are speeding above the posted limits or they are not reporting their time accurately, which would allow them to illegally drive longer hours.  Both of these outcomes are extremely dangerous and can lead to life-threatening hazards on the road.

Sleep deprivation and driver fatigue impairs a person’s ability to execute many tasks, including driving-related tasks and operating equipment.  Because of truck driver fatigue and the long hours many of these drivers are spending on the road, there is an increased chance of trucking accidents which can lead to serious injury or death.

The lawyers at the McMinn Law Firm understands the dangers of truck driver fatigue and the potential perils facing innocent victims just by driving on the public roads.  Please contact McMinn Law Firm if you or anyone you know has been affected by evens such as this, and our lawyers can offer you a free consultation to discuss your options.