Truck drivers have an important role in our commerce. They have to take goods and materials and travel with them all across the country. However, the hefty trucks that truck drivers must operate can be dangerous for the general public. Anyone who has driven next to a commercial truck on the highway has felt its intimidating presence. When there is an accident between a truck and a passenger vehicle, the damages can be immense. If you or a relative has recently been seriously injured in an accident with a commercial truck, now is the time to get help from our Ellis County, TX truck accident lawyer. Our team at Brandy Austin Law Firm can take the lead on your case and pursue compensation while you focus on your health and recovery. If you want assistance today, we are ready to hear from you.
Truck Driver Fatigue
One of the main reasons that truck accidents happen is due to truck driver fatigue. Since truck drivers have to drive for extended periods of time, they can get tired from the prolonged hours and monotony. Employers of the truck driver may also create a work environment where getting to the destination as quickly as possible is encouraged. But the problem with this is that sometimes truck drivers may be pushed to violate the rules and regulations that are set forth on a state and federal level. A trucker may drive for more hours than they are legally allowed to, skip on meal and rest breaks, and not get enough sleep to be fully alert while driving.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
The FMCSA has set forth rules and regulations that all truck drivers and trucking companies must follow. It is possible that a trucker had breached one of these rules which caused the accident to occur. After we investigate further, we may uncover that the trucker had falsified their log books or otherwise violated the safety regulations that help prevent truck collisions from happening. As our knowledgeable truck accident attorney explains, here are a few examples of rules that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces:
- Property-carrying drivers may drive for 11-hours at max after 10 consecutive hours not on the clock.
- Passenger-carrying drivers may drive for 10-hours at max after 8 consecutive hours not on the clock.
- Property-carrying drivers are not permitted to drive for more than 14 consecutive hours after being off-duty for 10 hours.
- Passenger-carrying drivers are not permitted to drive for more than 15 consecutive hours after being off-duty for 8 hours.
- Neither type of truck driver may operate their vehicle for more than 60 hours during a 7 day consecutive period, or 70 hours over 8 consecutive days.
Brandy Austin Law Firm
If you have been involved in a crash with a commercial truck and sustained serious injury and property damage, then we urge you to speak with our team at Brandy Austin Law Firm as soon as possible. Our TX truck accident attorney can take the lead on pursuing compensation on your behalf while you tend to your injuries. You should not have to pay for medical bills and other financial losses that were caused by a truck driver who was not driving safely. Please reach out today for a consultation.
