Legal Responsibility After a Fatigue-Related Truck Crash
Truck drivers play an important role in keeping our 24/7 economy moving. The pressure to meet tight deadlines can come at a cost, especially when drivers are pushed to keep going long after fatigue has set in. When a truck accident occurs because of driver fatigue, the question of who is legally and financially responsible isn't always simple. Many people assume that the truck driver is solely to blame. Liability may be shared among several parties, including the trucking company, vehicle manufacturers, and others involved in logistics.
Understanding Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers often work long hours, driving hundreds of miles a day. Despite federal rules limiting how long they can be behind the wheel, fatigue remains a widespread problem. Fatigue can affect driving by slowing reaction time, reducing alertness, and impairing judgment. A tired driver may drift between lanes, miss road signs, or fall asleep. Even a brief lapse in concentration can be deadly on a busy highway.
Federal Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations
Federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are designed to prevent truck driver fatigue and enhance road safety. These rules limit how long a commercial truck driver can operate a vehicle or remain on duty. Drivers are allowed a maximum of 11 hours of driving after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving and are subject to a 60/70-hour limit over a 7- or 8-day period, depending on their work schedule. Violations are common despite these regulations. Drivers sometimes falsify their logs, while others may comply with the rules but still experience fatigue due to inconsistent sleep patterns, health issues, or pressure to meet delivery deadlines.
Who May Be Held Liable?
The Truck Driver
The most obvious party in a fatigue-related accident is the driver. If a driver chooses to stay on the road despite being exhausted, especially if they break HOS rules, they may be found negligent. Even if no laws were broken, a failure to recognize and respond to signs of fatigue can still constitute negligence. It's not always as simple as blaming the driver. The pressure to drive tired often doesn't originate with them.
The Trucking Company
The role of the trucking company in a fatigue-related crash often goes beyond employing the driver. Companies are responsible for setting delivery schedules, monitoring driver hours, and following all federal safety regulations. A company can be held accountable when an accident happens if they push drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines. Some companies may pressure drivers to skip rest breaks or drive despite exhaustion. That pressure can lead to poor decisions behind the wheel. Under the law, employers can be held liable for the actions of their drivers while they're on the job, especially if it's shown that company practices contributed to the unsafe conditions. When a trucking company prioritizes speed over safety, it puts everyone on the road at risk, and they can be held responsible for the consequences.
Third-Party Contractors or Brokers
Not all truck drivers are employed directly by the company whose goods they carry. Independent contractors, leasing companies, or freight brokers may also play a role in scheduling and logistics. If a third party influenced the driver's schedule or workload to encourage fatigue, they, too, might be liable. This is especially true if it can be shown that they failed to review the driver's compliance history or assigned deliveries with unrealistic timelines.
Maintenance Providers
Poor vehicle maintenance can increase the burden on a fatigued driver. If brakes are not functioning correctly or the steering is loose, the risk of an accident is much higher, especially when the driver's alertness is already diminished. A repair shop or in-house maintenance crew may share the blame if they fail their duty of care.
How Is Fault Determined?
Determining fault in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue requires investigating contributing factors and identifying the responsible parties. Investigators examine the driver's electronic logging device, which records driving hours and rest breaks, GPS data, fuel receipts, and dispatch records to detect any HOS regulations violations. Witness statements, dashcam footage, and police reports can also provide insight into the events leading up to the crash. Attorneys may review company emails, texts, or internal policies that reveal pressure on the driver to meet unrealistic schedules. Experts such as accident reconstruction specialists or sleep medicine professionals may help to establish that fatigue played a role. Proving fault requires demonstrating that someone, whether the driver, employer, or another party, failed to meet their legal duty of care and that this failure caused the accident and resulting damages.
What Compensation Might Be Available?
Depending on the severity of the injuries and the crash circumstances, victims of a truck accident caused by driver fatigue may be entitled to compensation. Compensation covers damages such as medical expenses, hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and future loss of earning capacity. Victims may also be eligible for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Because truck accident claims often involve multiple liable parties and complex insurance issues, working with an experienced personal injury attorney can be essential.
Injured by a Tired Truck Driver? Get the Compensation You Deserve
Truck accidents can leave you with serious injuries, medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma. Gauthier & Maier Law Firm, P.C. specializes in holding negligent truck drivers, reckless trucking companies, and pushy freight brokers accountable for the harm they cause. We'll fight aggressively to get you the compensation you need for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Contact our experienced team at 505-226-0009 for a free case evaluation.