Close Menu
+
Monterey Personal Injury Lawyer
Free Confidential Consultations 831-901-3901
Monterey Personal Injury Lawyer > Personal Injury > Fatigued Truck Driver Accident Lawyers

Fatigued Truck Driver Accident Lawyers

Semi trucks are common on California highways. These large trucks have important jobs to do and need to be handled with care. They can be several dozen feet long and weigh as much as 80,000 pounds.

These trucks can be dangerous in the event of the crash. They can be even more dangerous when a drowsy driver is behind the wheel. However, truck driver fatigue is not uncommon. Drivers can legally drive for 11 consecutive hours under federal regulations, but many drivers drive for even longer to meet deadlines due to pressure from trucking companies.

If you have been involved in a truck accident, you are likely dealing with catastrophic injuries.

Allen Law Firm can help you with the process of filing a claim. Our truck accident lawyers in Monterey will work quickly to preserve evidence so you can prove negligence on behalf of the truck driver and trucking company.

Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue

Of course, getting behind the wheel when tired can quickly lead to drowsiness and accidents. Here are some other causes of truck driver fatigue:

  • Illness. When you’re sick, your body needs rest. Even something minor like the common cold can leave you craving sleep. When a truck driver doesn’t get adequate rest, this leads to increased fatigue.
  • Medication use. When a truck driver is ill, they may take certain medications that can induce sleepiness, such as Benadryl and cold medicines. This can increase the risk of an accident.
  • Drunk Driving. Alcohol and drug use is common among truck drivers. Intoxication not only affects judgment and reaction times, but can also increase the risk of fatigue while behind the wheel. Plus, the legal limit for truck drivers is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04.

Effects of Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck driver fatigue is a serious situation. Sleeping drivers cannot control their vehicles properly, which can lead to a catastrophic or fatal accident when behind the wheel of a truck that may weigh 40 tons.

Being overly tired is almost the same as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In fact, driving after remaining awake for more than 24 hours has the same effect as driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.10.

Drowsy drivers often find it hard to pay attention to the road. They also suffer a decrease in their reflexes. This can be troublesome, as they need sharp reflexes in order to react quickly to hazards on the road. Drowsy drivers often struggle to make quick decisions, which they often need to keep everyone on the road safe.

Contact Allen Law Firm Today

Truck accidents can be dangerous, especially when there is a drowsy driver behind the wheel. Victims of truck crashes are entitled to compensation for their injuries, property damage, and other damages.

The team at Allen Law Firm can guide you through the nuances of a truck accident. Contact a Monterey truck accident lawyer by calling (831) 901-3901 or filling out the online form.

Share This Page:
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn