The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that up to 13 percent of semi-truck crashes happen because drivers operate commercial vehicles while tired. Although state and federal laws regulate how many hours a driver can work without a rest break, truckers often disregard these rules.
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we understand how fatigued truck drivers in Little Rock accidents can drastically affect victims’ lives. If you sustained injuries in such a crash, proving driver exhaustion can be difficult. Our experienced truck collision attorneys know what records to request and review to show that a lack of sleep caused the trucker’s impairment, and we could assist you in collecting the necessary evidence and filing your personal injury claim.
Federal guidelines prohibit commercial drivers from working more than 11 hours without a rest stop. They must take a 30-minute break after eight hours of continuous service. Even then, truckers can become fatigued during long drives. Road hypnosis, the mental exhaustion that happens after staring ahead at a roadway for hours, creates a type of tunnel vision, regardless of how much rest a semi-truck operator has had.
Other factors can also cause a trucker who is driving through Little Rock to become tired and cause a crash, such as:
One or a combination of these causes can result in drivers who are tired, unable to concentrate, and slow to react to changing road conditions.
Proving that a drowsy semi-truck driver caused a wreck in Little Rock is difficult, as fatigue has few physical symptoms. One of our attorneys could collect statements from witnesses who can verify the driver did not take required rest breaks or from co-workers who can testify about the company’s practices regarding rest periods and downtime.
Other critical evidence could include information contained in the trucker’s logbooks and electronic logging devices (ELDs). These records could demonstrate that the driver did not receive enough rest in the days before the crash. Regulations require all commercial vehicles to carry an ELD that companies must retain for six months after an accident.
However, unless a lawyer asks the company to preserve these records, companies can delete them after that. We could make this request to keep the data available for future legal action.
Fatigued truck drivers in Little Rock accidents can leave victims facing serious injuries and major expenses. At Rainwater, Holt and Sexton, we could help you file your insurance claim and get the compensation you need after a crash. Call our office today for a free consultation and case review.
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