Orlando, FL Driver Fatigue Truck Accident Attorneys

Trusted Lawyers for Commercial Truck Accidents Caused by Driver Fatigue in Orlando, Florida

Fatigue is one of the most serious and widespread dangers affecting drivers on Florida's roadways. Commercial truck drivers often struggle with fatigue, which can lead them to engage in dangerous behavior or make mistakes that lead to truck accidents. Despite strict federal regulations limiting how long truckers can drive without rest, they often operate their vehicles while they are tired or drowsy. A fatigued truck driver puts everyone around them in harm's way. In a busy area like Orlando, the consequences of fatigue-related truck crashes can be catastrophic.

When driver fatigue is responsible for causing a commercial truck accident, The Doan Law Firm is here to help. We advocate for victims who have been harmed by negligent truck drivers and companies, helping them recover compensation for their injuries and financial losses.

The Dangers of Fatigued Driving

Fatigue impairs a driver's ability to operate a vehicle in many of the same ways as alcohol or drug impairment. In fact, studies have shown that being awake for 18 hours can affect a person's driving ability as much as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. Notably, the legal BAC limit for commercial truck drivers is 0.04%. 24 hours without sleep can have effects equivalent to a BAC of 0.10%, which is well above the legal limit for any driver.

Fatigued truck drivers are more likely to:

  • Fall asleep at the wheel, even momentarily (a condition known as "microsleep")
  • Drift into other lanes or off the road
  • Fail to notice stopped traffic, road signs, or pedestrians
  • Make poor decisions, such as misjudging distance or speed
  • Delay when braking or steering to avoid obstacles

With the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, even a brief lapse in concentration can lead to devastating collisions. These accidents can cause massive amounts of damage to smaller vehicles, and drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians may suffer severe and catastrophic injuries.

Why Truck Drivers May Become Fatigued

Truck driving is a physically and mentally demanding job. Long hours behind the wheel, schedules that change regularly, and pressure to meet delivery deadlines can contribute to driver fatigue. Some of the most common causes of fatigue include:

  • Violations of Hours-of-Service (HOS) Rules: Federal regulations limit the number of hours that a trucker can drive in a single shift and during a workweek. However, some drivers exceed these limits to increase their earnings or satisfy demands from their employers.
  • Lack of Quality Sleep: Sleeping in cabs, irregular rest breaks, and noisy or unsafe rest areas can lead to poor sleep quality. Drivers who do not get enough rest will be more likely to become drowsy while at the wheel.
  • Monotonous Driving Conditions: Long stretches of highway driving can lead to drowsiness and reduced alertness, especially at night.
  • Medical Conditions and Medication: Sleep apnea and other untreated sleep disorders can lead to increased fatigue, causing truck drivers to become drowsy. Some medications that truck drivers may use can also lead to drowsiness.
  • Scheduling Practices by Trucking Companies: Unrealistic delivery timelines and pressure to drive through the night can result in chronic driver exhaustion.

When trucking companies prioritize profits over safety, they may contribute to the conditions that cause fatigued driving. When truck drivers are forced to choose between their jobs and their safety, they may engage in dangerous behaviors to make sure they can continue earning an income.

How The Doan Law Firm Can Help Prove That a Truck Accident Was Caused by Driver Fatigue

Establishing that fatigue contributed to a truck crash will often require a detailed investigation. Trucking companies and insurance companies will often deny responsibility or claim that other factors were responsible for a truck accident. The attorneys at The Doan Law Firm can take steps to uncover proof of driver fatigue, and we will work to hold all responsible parties accountable.

Our legal team assists with:

  • Obtaining Driver Logs and ELD Data: We analyze electronic logging device (ELD) records and driver logbooks to determine whether hours-of-service violations occurred.
  • Reviewing Dispatch and Delivery Schedules: We can examine whether a company imposed unrealistic deadlines or failed to enforce safe driving policies.
  • Analyzing Cell Phone and GPS Records: This information can help confirm the driver's hours on the road and determine whether proper rest breaks were taken.
  • Interviewing Witnesses and First Responders: Observations of the driver appearing drowsy, inattentive, or confused may support fatigue-related claims.
  • Consulting Sleep and Medical Experts: In some cases, we may bring in experts to assess whether the driver had a condition that led to fatigue.

Contact Our Orlando, FL Fatigued Truck Driver Accident Lawyers

Fatigue-related truck accidents are preventable tragedies. When commercial drivers and their employers fail to follow safety regulations and endanger others, they should be held accountable. The attorneys at The Doan Law Firm will gather the evidence needed to prove that an accident was caused by negligence, and we will help our clients obtain the compensation they need to recover and move forward. Contact us at 407-289-0000 to arrange a free consultation today.

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