Recognizing the Dangers of Fatigued Driving

Any condition or situation that takes a driver’s attention off of the task at hand increases the risk of a traffic accident. Distracted driving is one such situation and a growing safety concern across the nation. Another safety risk is fatigued driving, which is a common problem for big rig operators.

Truckers and Hours-of-Service Rules

Although semi truck drivers are required to abide by Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations with regard to the amount of time they are allowed to drive without any breaks, many violate these rules for the sake of bonuses and/or greater profits. Truck drivers may even receive pressure from the trucking company they work for to meet unreasonable delivery schedules. Nonetheless, continuing to drive for inordinate amounts of time without rest causes fatigue, which can significantly hinder a driver’s ability to operate their truck safely and can even result in a driver falling asleep at the wheel. Consequences of fatigued driving, other than completely falling asleep, include:

• Drifting into other lanes of traffic;
• Abrupt changes in speed;
• Excessively slow speed;
• Over-steering;
• Under-steering;
• Slower reaction times; and
• Improper (or lack of) braking.

Consequences of a Big Rig Crash

Any of the aforementioned fatigued driving issues can cause a truck accident, and the unfortunate reality is that truck crashes have devastating results for other motorists. The immense size and weight of a semi truck makes it a highly dangerous vehicle. Even minor accidents with smaller passenger vehicles can result in serious or even fatal injuries for the occupants of the smaller vehicle while the truck driver survives potentially without any injuries. When a truck driver does not take their required rest breaks, they place the lives of other motorists at risk. Fatigued truck driving is one of the most common causes of truck accidents resulting from driver negligence.

How a Massachusetts Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

It is inexcusable that truck drivers should operate their massive vehicle while fatigued as it is completely preventable. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of truck driver fatigue, you have the right to hold the driver liable for the injuries you’ve suffered. The experienced Boston semi truck accident lawyers with the Kiley Law Group are committed to obtaining maximum compensation for each and every client and can help you understand your legal rights and options. Call us today for a free consultation at (888) 208-1695.