Drowsy Truck Drivers: Trucking Accidents & Liability Explained

Drowsy Truck Drivers:
Hidden Danger of Car Accidents Caused by Drowsy Truck Drivers

Commercial trucks are essential for moving goods across North Carolina and beyond, but the pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines often pushes truck drivers to their limits. One of the most dangerous consequences?

Drowsy driving.

Fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents, and the size and weight of these vehicles can turn a momentary lapse in concentration into a life-changing collision.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident and suspect driver fatigue played a role, understanding the causes and legal responsibilities is critical to protecting your rights.

Read more about the most common causes of truck accidents.

How Fatigue Impacts Truck Drivers and Your Road Safety

Operating a commercial truck requires intense focus, quick decision-making, and consistent awareness of surroundings. When truck drivers are fatigued, their ability to react quickly to road hazards and changing conditions is severely impaired.

Studies show that drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Sleep deprivation slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and increases the likelihood of making dangerous errors behind the wheel.

Several factors contribute to drowsy driving in the trucking industry:

• Long hours on the road: Truckers are often required to drive long distances, sometimes through the night.
• Pressure from tight schedules: Delivery deadlines and financial incentives for quicker trips can encourage drivers to push past their physical limits.
• Irregular sleep patterns: Truck drivers often have inconsistent schedules, leading to disrupted sleep cycles.
• Failure to comply with Hours-of-Service regulations: Despite federal regulations intended to limit driving hours and prevent fatigue, violations are not uncommon, whether due to pressure from employers or personal decisions by drivers.

The consequences of these factors can be catastrophic. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), drowsy driving is a factor in thousands of truck accidents every year, and the impact on victims is often severe due to the sheer size and force of commercial trucks.

Learn more about how truck accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries.

Who’s Responsible for Fatigue-Related Truck Accidents?

Determining liability in truck accidents caused by drowsy drivers can be complex, as multiple parties may share responsibility. In North Carolina, the legal principle of negligence applies, and identifying who failed to act with reasonable care is essential.

• The Truck Driver: A truck driver who operates their vehicle while dangerously fatigued may be held personally responsible for any accidents caused. Drivers have a duty to ensure they are fit to drive before hitting the road.

• The Trucking Company: Trucking companies can also be liable if they encourage or pressure drivers to exceed Hours of Service regulations, fail to provide adequate rest breaks, or neglect to monitor their employees’ compliance with safety standards. In some cases, employers may be liable under the doctrine of “vicarious liability,” meaning the company is responsible for the consequences of its employee’s actions.

• Third Parties: In some cases, the responsibility may extend to other parties, such as a third-party logistics provider or the truck’s manufacturer if mechanical failures contributed to the accident. For instance, faulty equipment or malfunctioning fatigue monitoring systems could create additional layers of liability.

In any truck accident involving fatigue, it is crucial to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause and responsible parties. Evidence such as logbooks, GPS data, and electronic logging device (ELD) records are often essential to proving that the driver or company violated Hours of Service regulations or otherwise acted negligently.

Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident Involving Drowsy Truck Driving

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving a drowsy truck driver, you don’t have to navigate the complexities of the legal system alone. The experienced team at Fisher Stark, P.A. can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and seek the compensation you deserve. Our firm is dedicated to fighting for the rights of those harmed in truck accidents across North Carolina.

If you have been involved in an accident and are seeking legal counsel contact Fisher Stark, P.A. wants to help. Visit us online or call today to schedule a consultation and let us tell you about your legal options. Call us at 828-505-4300 or visit our contact page to take the next steps toward recovery.