What Factors Contribute to Truck Driver Fatigue Accidents in Colorado?

 Posted on August 19, 2020 in Personal Injury

Between Interstates 25, 70, and 76, the Colorado Front Range experiences a significant amount of semi-truck traffic, and the state’s unpredictable weather patterns and often steeply graded roads can increase the risk of truck accidents. Another contributing factor in many truck accidents is driver fatigue, which can cause a driver to fall asleep at the wheel, react more slowly, or make poor driving decisions. If you have been injured in an accident with a drowsy truck driver, understanding why the driver may be fatigued can give you a better chance of receiving full compensation for your damages.

Common Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers can become fatigued for a number of reasons, some due to the nature of their job, and some due to a failure to follow industry regulations. A few of the most common reasons include:

• Driving long hours with few breaks: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the number of hours of service that commercial truck drivers can be on the road, but they are still permitted to drive for up to eight hours before a required rest, and drivers may become drowsy during these long stretches.

• Driving at all times of day: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that the body’s natural sleep rhythms contribute to more frequent driver fatigue accidents during the late afternoon and between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., both of which are common times for truck drivers to be on the road.

• Facing pressure to meet deadlines: Trucking companies may place pressure on their drivers to complete shipments on time, in some cases encouraging or allowing them to ignore FMCSA hours of service regulations and drive for longer periods of time without adequate sleep.

When driver fatigue causes an accident, the truck driver is often considered liable due to any preventable errors committed. However, in cases involving regulation breaches, the trucking company may share in the liability. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you identify all at-fault parties from which you can seek compensation, gather evidence that demonstrates negligence, and represent you in challenging settlement negotiations and trial litigation.

Contact a Larimer County Truck Accident Attorney

At Hoggatt Injury Law, we know how serious truck accidents can be, and we want to help you obtain the financial relief you need for your injuries, expenses, as well as your pain and suffering. We have the experience to stand up to trucking companies and their insurance providers to achieve the best possible outcome for you. Contact a knowledgeable Fort Collins personal injury lawyer today at 970-225-2190 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service