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Written By: Robert King, Esq.
Legal Review By: Sandy Fazili, Esq.
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Truck Driver Fatigue

Contact a Rochester Truck Accident Attorney

Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of truck accidents and delivery truck accidents. Commercial truck drivers operate under considerable pressure from their employers to reach their destinations as quickly as possible, oftentimes prompting them to drive for extensive periods of time without rest.

This is extremely dangerous, as it can limit a driver’s reaction times and dramatically increase their chances of falling asleep at the wheel. If you have been injured in a collision with a fatigued or drowsy driver, it is imperative that you retain the services of a qualified Rochester truck accident lawyer from King Law as soon as possible.

Discuss your situation with a skilled legal professional. Schedule a free consultation now.

Exhaustion is Comparable to Intoxication

According to studies conducted by multiple safety and health awareness organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an exhausted driver has as little control over their vehicle as an intoxicated driver.

If a truck driver is forced to work long hours for multiple days in a row, perhaps even violating legal standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), drowsiness and fatigue is sure to be a problem. Matters become even more serious when you consider how difficult it can be to control an 80,000 pound vehicle in ideal conditions.

If a trucker becomes exhausted, they could potentially fail to:

React in time to stopped traffic.

Estimate distances accurately.

Steer without swerving into adjacent lanes.

Check all mirrors or blind spots.

In fact, truck driver fatigue was the main reason behind the highly-publicized crash that debilitated popular comedian Tracy Morgan. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the driver of the truck involved in the accident had been awake for an astounding 28 hours, causing four injuries and one fatality as a result of the wreck.

Seeking Compensation from a Drowsy Driver

Under New York Insurance Law § 5104, you cannot seek compensation by filing a lawsuit against the drowsy driver unless you have sustained a serious injury as it is defined by New York law. This is often known as meeting the serious injury threshold to file a lawsuit. The statute defines a serious injury as a person injury that result in:

  • Death
  • Dismemberment
  • Significant disfigurement
  • A fracture
  • Loss of a fetus
  • Loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
  • Non-permanent injury that prevents the injured person from performing their daily activities

Proving the Drowsy Driver Was Negligent

If you want to seek financial compensation from a drowsy driver who caused a car accident in which you suffered severe harm, you will need to do more than prove that you have met the serious injury threshold under New York law. To be sure, you will need to gather evidence to prove that the drowsy driver was too fatigued to be behind the wheel safely, and you will need help from a Rochester car accident lawyer.

How can you prove that a driver was too tired to drive safely? This is a complicated issue since there is no such thing as a breathalyzer to determine a person’s level of fatigue in the way that a breathalyzer machine can determine a person’s blood alcohol concentration and thus whether the person is intoxicated. Instead, you will need to work with your attorney to look at details from the scene of the collision in addition to gathering witness statements. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the following are signs that a person might be too tired to drive safely and could be at fault for a drowsy driving crash:

  • Yawning frequently;
  • Nodding off behind the wheel;
  • Missing road signs or road turns;
  • Difficulty maintaining the same speed; and/or
  • Drifting out of the lane and into another lane.

Get the Top-Notch Representation You Deserve

If a truck driver has caused you harm due to excessive fatigue, it is vital that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to seek the compensation you deserve. Negligent truck drivers must be held accountable for their actions, and the Rochester personal injury lawyers form King Law are committed to ensuring that your rights are protected.

Having amassed an impressive collection of case victories for their unmatched skills and dedication, they have the passion and knowledge you need to maximize your chances of securing a desirable outcome for your situation. Do not wait any longer to seek justice – contact our firm today!

Call (585) 270-8882 today to discuss your case in further detail.

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