Los Angeles Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyer

When Exhausted Truck Drivers Cause Terrible Accidents

Accidents involving large commercial trucks pose significant dangers to the smaller vehicles truckers share the road with. When one vehicle in a collision is much larger than the other, the smaller car will bear the brunt of the damage. Truck drivers carry a great responsibility as they operate oversized vehicles that can cause devastation on the roads. Unfortunately, too many truck drivers neglect this responsibility and operate their vehicles while fatigued. If you were injured in a collision caused by a fatigued or intoxicated truck driver, you should discuss your options with our experienced legal team led by Attorney Scott J. Corwin.

Well-versed in truck driver fatigue accidents, Scott can help you explore what avenues of monetary recovery may be available. In these types of cases, not only the driver may be held responsible for the accident. The truck company may be liable if they were negligent in hiring or failing to hold the driver accountable for restrictions on the amount of time and miles driven in a day.

Being involved in an accident with a large truck can be both an emotionally and physically jarring experience. Get trusted legal representation on your side to get back on track with your life. Our team at Scott J. Corwin, A Professional Law Corporation of Los Angeles is here to fight for you and your legal right to be compensated for the harm you have suffered due to a negligent truck driver.

Call us today at (310) 683-2300 or contact us via our online contact form.

Accidents Caused by Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck driver fatigue is common because commercial drivers are under pressure from their companies to deliver cargo as quickly as possible. As a result, they may not take their mandated rest breaks and may even falsify their logbooks to make it look like they have driven fewer hours.

When a truck driver is fatigued, they will experience:

• Dramatically slowed reaction time
• Blurred vision
• Lapses of concentration
• Poor vehicle control

Federal Trucking Regulations Regarding Fatigue

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets regulations that all truck drivers in the industry must follow, save for a few exceptions. Hours-of-service regulations are designed to make sure that truck drivers are not on the road for too long before getting rest. They are also meant to give truckers enough time in between shifts to get restful sleep, but this is not always possible.

FMCSA regulations that could be relevant to your truck driver fatigue case include:

• Truck driver must not be on the road for more than 11 hours in a shift.
• Truck driver must not be scheduled for more than 14 hours total in a shift.
• Truck driver must not work more than 70 hours a week.
• Extra driving time is allowed if adverse weather conditions require the truck driver to slow down.
• 30-minute break must be taken in a shift before the 8^th hour is reached.
• 10-hour off-duty periods between shifts can be split as the truck driver wishes as long as one period is at least 2 hours and another period is at least 7 consecutive off-duty hours.
• Short-haul truck drivers have an extended on-duty period if they do not drive outside of a 150 air-mile radius from their start and end locations, which must be the same.

It only takes a quick look at FMCSA regulations to see how complex they are. Rather than trying to interpret how these rules might apply to your case, let our firm handle everything for you. Attorney Scott J. Corwin is well-versed in trucker fatigue accident cases. He knows what evidence needs to be examined to support an injury claim against the trucker or the trucking company. Driver logs, for example, can be indicative of a driver who was clearly overworked and not complying with daily drive limitations.

Who Is Liable for Your Damages?

Truck drivers are not the only ones who have a responsibility to other drivers. Trucking companies are required to take steps to ensure they are taking reasonable measures in hiring and monitoring their drivers to help keep others safe on the road. If a company has been pushing drivers to work too many hours or has been recklessly overlooking driving time violations in a truck driver’s log, then the company may also be held responsible for the harm you suffered in the truck accident.

Effective Representation for Truck Driver Fatigue Claims

Attorney Scott J. Corwin offers personal attention and caring, responsive legal counsel to individuals who have been injured by negligent truck drivers. He will listen carefully as you detail the accident and develop a legal strategy that meets your needs. Let Scott J. Corwin, A Professional Law Corporation fight for your rights, so you can focus on treating your injuries.

Call (310) 683-2300 or contact our Los Angeles truck driver fatigue attorney online.