Fatigued Truck Drivers

Driver fatigue is the number one cause of truck accidents on America’s highways. As one of the most competitive commercial industries in America, the trucking industry is built around making fast deliveries of thousands of products every day. Unfortunately, this often leads trucking companies to place undue pressure on their drivers, asking them to meet scheduling demands that simply cannot be met without serious safety compromises.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates truckers with laws that govern exactly how long they can operate a truck on a daily and weekly basis, as well as how long their rest breaks should be after each driving shift. According to federal law, drivers must:

• Not operate their truck for more than 11 consecutive hours
• Take a minimum 10-hour rest break after a full driving shift
• Limit on-duty time to 60 hours in seven days, or 70 hours in eight days

Despite these regulations, drivers are still prone to shortening their required rest breaks and/or driving for longer than 11 consecutive hours just to meet the demands of their employer. Some trucking companies even pay their drivers by the mile and do not compensate them for any on-duty time spent inspecting trucks or taking other safety precautions.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident caused by a fatigued driver, we can help you pursue compensation from the parties who are responsible. Please contact our experienced truck accident attorneys today for a free initial consultation.

Kalfus & Nachman serves clients in Norfolk, Newport News, Roanoke, Hampton, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, Virginia.