How Does Driver Fatigue Cause Truck Accidents?

Research by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that about 65% of truck drivers have felt sleepy behind the wheel, and almost half say they actually dozed off at least once in the past year. These findings underscore how common driver fatigue is in the trucking industry. This can lead to severe crashes that could have been prevented.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident, knowing how driver fatigue contributes to these crashes may help you understand if your rights were violated or if you have legal options to consider.

Why Is Drowsy Driving Dangerous?

When a person is extremely fatigued, they can experience problems similar to those caused by drinking alcohol: reduced alertness, impaired coordination and slowed reaction time.

In fact, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health notes that staying awake for 24 hours is similar to having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10%. That’s because the mental and physical processes of a sleepy person do not function normally, so they may struggle to judge speed or notice road conditions in a way that keeps traffic moving safely.

Research also shows that fatigue can cause “microsleeps,” which are brief moments when the brain slips into a sleep state. During microsleeps, the driver may have their eyes open but fail to register what they see, which can be just as dangerous as nodding off.

When you combine these effects with the sheer size of a large truck, you have a recipe for disaster. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds, compared to a few thousand pounds for the average passenger vehicle. If a tired truck driver fails to slow down or turn in time, the impact on a car, motorcycle or pedestrian can lead to devastating injuries. 

What Are the Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue?

Several factors may cause a truck driver to become fatigued on the road.

• Long Hours: Some truck drivers feel pressure to deliver loads quickly, so they skip breaks, drive late into the night or start early to avoid traffic. 
• Insufficient Sleep: Some drivers get only a few hours of rest before returning to the road, or they may have untreated sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.
• Irregular Sleep Patterns: Truck drivers often have unpredictable sleep schedules because they adjust their driving times around weather, cargo deadlines or truck stop availability. 
• Monotonous Driving: Long, empty stretches of highway can be mentally exhausting. 
• Medications or Substances: Some drivers take medications that cause drowsiness, or they rely on stimulants to stay awake. When the stimulants wear off, the driver can experience a steep drop in energy. 

Even one of these factors can cause a truck accident, and ignoring them could lead to serious consequences for everyone on the road.

Who Is Liable for Accidents Caused by Truck Driver Fatigue?

When a fatigued truck driver causes a crash, multiple parties may be liable. This is because trucking often involves complex relationships between drivers, trucking companies, owners of the trucks and sometimes brokers or shippers. 

Some parties who could be legally responsible for injuries include:

• The Truck Driver: A driver who ignores clear signs of exhaustion and stays on the road may face claims for negligent behavior.
• The Trucking Company: Companies that pressure their drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules or encourage skipping mandatory breaks could be liable. 
• Maintenance Providers: While fatigue isn’t always vehicle-related, mechanical problems can add stress or force drivers into longer hours. If poor upkeep contributes to fatigue, the party responsible for maintaining the vehicle might share liability.
• Third Parties: A shipping broker or cargo loader may add to a driver’s workload by delaying loading times or setting deadlines that force the driver to stretch their hours. In these cases, that party may bear some responsibility, but this is rare.

An attorney can look into how the driver, trucking company and other parties are connected to see who may be legally accountable. 

How Can You Prove a Truck Driver Was Fatigued?

Proving fatigue was the cause of an accident involves collecting evidence that points to a driver’s physical or mental condition at the time of the crash. 

When investigating a truck accident, attorneys often look at:

• Driver Logbooks: Truck drivers must document how many hours they drive and when they take breaks. If these logs are fake or show the driver exceeded legal hours, that often points to fatigue.
• Electronic Logging Devices: Many trucks now have devices that automatically record driving times. It’s harder to alter digital logs, so if data shows the driver stayed on the road too long, it can be strong evidence of fatigue.
• Company Policies: Trucking companies must follow federal rules on driving hours and break times. If their emails or policies push drivers to exceed these limits, the company could share liability for a crash.
• Witness Statements: Other motorists or bystanders may have seen the truck drifting or reacting slowly. Their statements can help show the driver was too tired to operate the vehicle safely.
• Video Footage: Security or dash cameras might capture what happened before the crash. If you see the driver’s head bobbing or slow reactions, it could signal drowsiness.
• Medical Records: If a driver has a known sleep disorder or is taking medication that causes drowsiness, that information can back up a claim that they were not fit to drive.

Gathering this information on your own can be difficult, but an attorney can investigate these sources on your behalf. 

FMCSA Regulations for Truck Drivers 

The FMCSA sets hours-of-service rules to reduce the risk of fatigue behind the wheel. These rules limit the number of hours drivers can operate their vehicles each day and each week. 

For instance, property-carrying drivers must stop driving by the 14th hour of their shift, even if some of that time was spent on non-driving tasks, such as loading or refueling. 

Drivers must keep logs, either on paper or electronically, to prove they follow these regulations. If a violation of federal regulations contributed to the accident, it can be powerful evidence of negligence.

Discuss Your Truck Accident Case With an Attorney

You don’t have to face the aftermath of a truck accident by yourself. If you believe a fatigued driver caused your crash, reach out to Johnson Attorneys Group for a free consultation. 

Our compassionate truck accident lawyers review driver logs, examine company policies and check for any violations of federal rules. By having a dedicated legal advocate by your side, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the details.