Driver Fatigue

Harris County Truck Driver Fatigue Lawyer for Accidents and Injuries

There are multiple issues that may affect a truck driver's ability to safely operate an 18-wheeler or other commercial vehicle. If truck drivers do not take the correct measures to drive safely at all times, they may collide with other vehicles and inflict serious injuries and other types of damage. Driver fatigue is one issue that often affects truck drivers, and if a driver falls asleep behind the wheel or suffers from lapses in concentration due to drowsiness, they are likely to become involved in dangerous truck accidents. Victims who are injured in these types of accidents can work with an experienced lawyer to determine their options for recovering compensation.

The Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec can help victims of truck wrecks take legal action against a truck driver who acted negligently, the trucking company that employed them, or any other liable parties. With more than 25 years of experience in multiple types of personal injury cases, our founding attorney knows the best steps to take during these cases, and our firm is fully prepared to do what is necessary to ensure that victims will have the financial resources they need to make a full recovery.

Causes and Effects of Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers can cover thousands of miles when transporting cargo, and they will often remain behind the wheel for extended periods. Staying fully alert throughout the entirety of a trip can be difficult, especially if a driver will be driving at night or during irregular hours. To help minimize the possibility of driver fatigue, truck drivers are required to follow regulations that restrict the number of hours that they can spend behind the wheel during a shift and require them to take breaks and get an appropriate amount of sleep.

Unfortunately, some trucking companies may cut corners or encourage drivers to bend or break the rules. This is often done to make sure cargo can be delivered as quickly as possible, maximizing the profits for shipping and transportation companies. Some drivers may falsify their driving logs so that they can exceed the allowed number of hours they spend on the road.

Even if a driver abides by all regulations, they can still become drowsy or fatigued during a long shift. If a driver suffers from sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, they may not get sufficient rest when sleeping, and this will affect their ability to operate their vehicle safely. A driver's alertness may be affected by their use of certain types of medications, such as opioid painkillers or over-the-counter cold and flu medicines. In some cases, truck drivers may be intoxicated due to the use of alcohol or drugs, including illegal stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamines that a driver may use in an attempt to combat fatigue.

When drivers are fatigued, this can greatly affect their ability to operate a large truck safely. A driver who nods off while behind the wheel is likely to lose control of their vehicle, and they may drift out of their lane and collide with other vehicles, or they may be unable to slow down in time to avoid striking another vehicle from the rear. Even if a driver does not fall asleep, fatigue can affect their judgment, their concentration and focus, and their ability to react to changing conditions on the road around them. Truck drivers who stay awake for long periods of time are much more likely to be involved in dangerous accidents that cause serious injuries to others.

Contact Our Houston Drowsy Truck Driver Accident Lawyer

Our attorneys can investigate the circumstances surrounding a truck accident and determine whether driver fatigue was a factor. We will work to ensure that a truck driver and trucking company can be held liable for injuries that were caused by drowsy driving or other forms of negligence. Contact our firm by calling 281-962-8949 to schedule a free consultation today. We represent truck crash victims in Waller County, Fort Bend County, West Houston, Galveston County, Bellaire, the Gulf Coast, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Katy, Houston, Brazoria County, Harris County, Pearland, Liberty County, Chambers County, Montgomery County, and Memorial.