Driver Fatigue

Texas Trucking Accident Attorney

Driver fatigue is a factor in a large percentage of truck accidents. Fatigue to the point of impairment is negligent truck operation, but fatigue can sometimes be difficult to prove. If you’ve been involved in an collision with a 18 wheeler, contact an experienced truck accident attorney today to discuss your legal options.

Truck Driver Fatigue is a Serious Problem

Every hour a driver is behind the wheel, the risk of accident slowly increases. In 2011 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) started to address this problem by updating hours of service rules for commercial drivers. The updated driver fatigue rules included three new prominent features:

• Drivers must take a 30 minute break within the first 8 hours of their shift
• The maximum number of hours a trucker can drive per week was reduced to 70
• Truck drivers are now required to have a ‘restart period’ once every 7 days, a ‘restart period’ is defined as 34 consecutive hours off the job

Additionally beyond these strict requirements, it is against federal regulations to drive a large commercial vehicle while impaired by fatigue. FMCSA’s section 392.3 regulation states that drivers are completely prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle while the driver’s alertness is so impaired by fatigue, or is likely to become impaired by fatigue, that it causes their operation of the vehicle to become unsafe.

If You’re Involved In A Truck Accident We Can Help

Because commercial trucking litigation is complex, it is important for victims of truck accidents to acquire the assistance of a qualified attorney. Large commercial trucking operations and their insurance companies hire a team of lawyers to reduce their liability as much as possible. It’s imperative to contact an attorney experienced with Texas truck accident law as soon as possible. We will start the investigating the circumstance of your accident immediately. The discovery process is the foundation to any successful case. The process involves collecting all relevant information including police reports, witness statements, and investigation into the background of your driver and their employer. The trucking company’s team of lawyers will no doubt be doing this as well to work against you. If the driver was negligently fatigued, their employer will no doubt do their best to hide that fact.

Contact Us

Truck accidents due to driver fatigue are common and the results can be deadly. If you find yourself or your family member the victim of commercial vehicle accident, an experienced San Antonio accident attorney can help. If you have been in a collision with a company vehicle, contact us today.

Law Offices of Ronald A. Ramos, P.C.

1844 Lockhill Selma Rd #102
San Antonio, TX 78213
Phone: (210) 308-8811
Email: info@sanantonioaccidentlawyer.com