Waldorf, MD Driver Fatigue Truck Accident Attorneys

Lawyers for Truck Crashes Caused by Drowsy Truck Drivers in Waldorf, Maryland

Commercial trucks are massive, powerful vehicles, and they can present a danger to others on the road. Truck drivers need to be sure they will be in full control of their vehicles at all times. However, they may struggle to do so when they are fatigued. A drowsy truck driver who drifts out of their lane or fails to brake in time may cause a catastrophic collision that can severely injure people in other vehicles.

Farmer & Klopfer represents people in Waldorf and across the state of Maryland who have been injured in truck accidents caused by fatigued drivers. Our attorneys understand the issues that can play a role in complex truck accident litigation, and we take an aggressive approach to holding both negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable for the injuries our clients have suffered.

The Dangers of Fatigued Truck Driving

Fatigue can cause impairments that can have a huge impact on a truck driver's ability to drive safely. In fact, research has shown that serious fatigue has effects that are similar to alcohol intoxication. A truck driver who has gone too long without rest or who is sleep-deprived may experience delayed reaction times, difficulty maintaining coordination in their body, and a reduced awareness of what is happening on the road around them.

One of the most dangerous issues that can occur because of driver fatigue is microsleep. Drivers who are drowsy may briefly lose consciousness, closing their eyes for a few seconds. During a microsleep episode, a truck driver will have no control over their vehicle. This may lead them to stray out of their lane and sideswipe another vehicle or cause a head-on collision, or they may fail to stop before crashing into another vehicle from behind.

Why Truck Drivers Become Fatigued

The practices followed in the trucking industry will often place pressure on truck drivers to continue driving and deliver goods as quickly as possible, regardless of their level of fatigue. Some of the reasons that truck drivers may experience fatigue include:

Hours of Service Violations

There are limits on how many hours a commercial truck driver can drive during a shift. They are required to take breaks at certain intervals and sleep between shifts. These hours of service rules are meant to help prevent driver fatigue. However, some truck drivers or trucking companies may violate these rules, and drivers may be pressured to exceed the allowed number of hours and stay on the road even when they are tired or drowsy.

Long and Irregular Schedules

Many truck drivers follow schedules that may require them to drive at irregular times. They may drive during the day during one shift and during the night during another shift. This can make it difficult to get enough sleep at the right times. Even when working regular schedules, truck drivers can become tired after a long day behind the wheel, and they will be more likely to make mistakes.

Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea and other medical conditions can affect a person's ability to receive quality sleep. Truck drivers who suffer from these issues may become drowsy or fatigued even if they follow the rules for hours of service and sleep between shifts.

Medications and Other Substances

Some truck drivers may use stimulants to try to stay awake during long shifts. These may include legal substances like caffeine or illegal drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine. While stimulants may temporarily prevent a person from feeling fatigued, they will not address the impairments that fatigue can cause. Other medications, including prescription painkillers or cold and flu medicines, may also cause drowsiness for truck drivers.

Building a Case for Victims of Accidents Caused by Truck Driver Fatigue

Our attorneys can move quickly to investigate a truck accident and gather evidence showing that fatigue was a factor. We can obtain data from electronic logging devices that record a truck driver's hours of service, which can help determine whether the driver exceeded their legal limits. We can also review trucking company dispatching records, delivery schedules, and communications between a truck driver and dispatchers to determine whether a trucking company's policies led a driver to engage in unsafe behavior.

We can also obtain a truck's black box data, which records information about speed, braking, and other factors that may have played a role in a truck crash. We can work with accident reconstruction professionals who can analyze this data and determine how fatigue may have contributed to an accident.

Contact Our Waldorf Driver Fatigue Truck Accident Lawyers

When truck drivers continue to drive when they are exhausted or drowsy, they put everyone around them at risk. They may be held responsible for accidents that occur because of these dangerous practices, and trucking companies may also share liability when their practices have encouraged unsafe behavior.

At Farmer & Klopfer, our lawyers have the experience and resources needed to investigate a truck accident, determine whether fatigue was a factor, and help an injury victim obtain financial compensation for their damages. Contact our Waldorf, MD driver fatigue truck crash attorneys at 301-843-3890 to schedule a free consultation.