Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyers: Chicago, Illinois

On July 1, 2013, the Truck driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents on the road. Research indicates that over eighty-seven percent of all truck accidents are attributable to a driver's error.

In comparison, only thirteen percent of accidents result from a vehicle malfunction or environmental failure.

Out of all crashes involving a truck driver's mistake, a staggering thirteen percent of accidents are caused by driver fatigue. Falling asleep at the wheel has become a significant problem in an industry in which truck drivers feel the pinch of working very long hours.

Unfortunately, truckers are under pressure to drive extra hours due to low wages and a system that puts a premium on productivity over safety.

During periods of high volume for shipments, truck companies may also place extra pressure on truck drivers to complete deliveries quickly. The statistics reveal that driver fatigue is an issue for which society needs to find some resolution.

One of every four commercial truck drivers claims that they have fallen asleep while driving at least once in the prior month, and this is just unacceptable for maintaining safe driving conditions on the road. This behavior puts other drivers and passengers at serious risk for involvement in jackknife accidents and other types of dangerous truck accidents.

Hiring a Chicago Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Injury Attorney

Were you involved in an Illinois truck accident that may have been caused by driver fatigue? If so, get in touch with a commercial trucking accident lawyer as soon as possible. The truck accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC can help investigate your case and whether a trucking company has had issues with fatigued drivers in the past.

There are new federal regulations in place to combat driver fatigue, and a personal injury lawyer can use these regulatory rules to your advantage when handling your motor vehicle case. Contact our law firm today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free) for a free consultation to discuss your compensation claim

Truck Driver Fatigue Accident FAQs

Federal Regulations to Combat Truck Driver Fatigue

On July 1, 2013, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) put forth new regulations to improve safety on the road. The regulatory controls are designed to cut down on driver fatigue, and trucking companies have already been given eighteen months to implement these new changes.

Truck drivers may now only work a maximum of seventy hours a week, which is a decrease from the previous limit of eighty-two hours per week.

Also, truck drivers must take a thirty-four-hour rest break after they have been driving for seventy hours over seven days. The rest break also requires that truck drivers get rest during the periods in which the body lacks sleep. These hours are from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. for most truck drivers.

Lastly, the new federal regulations mandate that truck drivers must take a thirty-minute break within an eight-hour shift period. These break periods are intended to help drivers regain their strength, focus, and energy for safe driving on the road.

Penalties for Failure to Abide by Federal Regulations Related to Mandatory Rest

When a company fails to abide by these new regulations, there can be severe penalties. The FMCSA has stated that it will impose maximum penalties on the drivers and businesses that fail to abide by these new rules.

Drivers who violate the regulations for more than three hours could face harsh fines of $2,750 for each offense. Also, trucking companies can potentially face harsh fines of $11,000 for each offense.

Those who are interested in learning more about the penalties can read through the "Hours of Service Logbook Examples" handbook that is available through the website of the FMCSA.

Truck drivers face harsh penalties from an accident caused by driver fatigue. The driver and trucking company can be held financially accountable. Those who have been injured in serious truck accidents involving driver fatigue might have suffered from injuries that have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

These individuals might find that the only way in which they can afford their medical expenses is by filing a lawsuit against the truck driver and trucking company responsible for causing the accident. Typically, compensation is provided by the trucking company and trucker's insurance companies.

Contact a Chicago Truck Collision Lawyer for Help Today With Your Accident Case

If you have been involved in a truck accident involving a fatigued driver, we can help with your case. Our truck accident lawyers are ready to assist you in whatever way they can.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represents accident victims exclusively. Our experience litigating challenging Illinois trucking collision cases has resolved hundreds of trucking accident cases for maximum value throughout the State of Illinois and throughout the Midwest.

Contact us at 888-424-5757 to discuss you or your loved one's significant life-changing decision to get the financial compensation you deserve. Your discussions with our attorneys will remain confidential through an attorney-client relationship.

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