Operator Fatigue
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that more than 20,000 people are killed or injured each year on our nation’s highways because of truck operator fatigue. Although current regulations are clear that commercial drivers must rest at least eight hours for every ten consecutive hours behind the wheel, over-tired drivers often cause serious injuries and death. In an industry that moves more than nine billion tons of products every year, faster deliveries mean more profits.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that driver fatigue contributes to more than thirty percent of all heavy truck accidents on Indiana highways. Statistics prove that independent drivers and trucking companies ignore FMCSA regulations.
Tabor Law helps families recover compensation for injuries and wrongful death claims caused by over-tired truck drivers. We know the FMCSA regulations, and we know how to investigate truck accidents and log information to determine whether truck driver fatigue was a contributing factor.
Some common causes of truck operator fatigue accidents include:
* FMCSR violations
* Following too closely
* Swerving driver, ride under accidents, side swipes
* Head on collisions, crossing over lanes
* Use of stimulants, DUI
* Improper loading
* Log book violations
* Construction site accidents
* Negligent supervision
A Note to Injured Truck Drivers
Although we are not a workers’ compensation law firm, we represent professional truck drivers who have been injured in accidents resulting from the dangerous policies, procedures, and expectations placed on them by their employer. If you have been injured in an accident because you were expected to go too far, too fast, for too long, contact our Indianapolis offices for a free consultation.
Case Study
Dudley v. Towne Air Freight, LLC et. al.
Indiana State Police Lieutenant Gary Dudley helped coordinate and annually participated in a charity bicycle ride around the state of Indiana to benefit C.O.P.S. ("Concerns of Police Survivors"), an organization that provides support to families of officers who are killed in the line of duty. In 2006, Gary was riding his bicycle in the charity ride with a group of other police officers southbound on State Road 63 in Vermillion County when the riders' support motor vehicle was read-ended by a truck being driven by an employee of Degendant Towne Air Freight. As the truck collided with the support motor vehicle, both vehicles were propelled forward and Gary was struck and killed. Tabor Law Firm successfully represented Gary's wife, Carolyn, in an action for his wrongful death. Our investigation revealed evidence that the Defendant driver failed to keep a proper lookout, was speeding, and was following too closely before he hit Gary.