Phoenix Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Attorney

Being tired when behind the wheel is always extremely dangerous, but when you’re responsible for keeping a multi-ton truck on the road, the consequences of being even slightly fatigued can be deadly. Factors such as impractical deadlines and erratic sleep schedules often leave truck drivers feeling as though they have no choice but to begin or continue routes while feeling fatigued. However, truck drivers have a heightened responsibility to take precautions to avoid being involved in an accident and to adhere to hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. If you have been injured by an accident due to truck driver fatigue, you have a right to compensation. Contact our Phoenix truck driver fatigue accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

Why Choose Our Trucker Accident Attorneys?

• Our Phoenix car accident lawyers have over 20 years of experience, we know what it takes to obtain you the maximum amount of compensation in your trucker fatigue accident claim.
• We only charge legal fees once we win, and have team members fluent in both English and Spanish; so there is nothing holding you back from getting the justice you deserve.
• Our Phoenix truck accident lawyers maintain a 99 percent success rate in our cases, and have secured millions of dollars for our clients.

Why Do Truckers Drive While Fatigued?

The motivation to stay on the road, even when dangerously tired is often due to:

• Being paid by the mile, which means the more miles covered in any given day is more money per hour.
• Trying to avoid traffic to achieve maximum mileage.
• Unrealistic delivery deadlines.
• Bonuses issued by a trucking company for early delivery or adding stops.
• Anxiety to get home after hours, days or weeks on a route.
• Attempting to make up time due to poor weather or traffic jams.

To combat exhaustion, drivers may consume caffeine, or even narcotics to keep them stimulated. This act can further impair a trucker, and increase the risk of an accident. When a collision does occur, the driver and their company may be liable for the injuries caused.

Regulations on Hours of Service

The following hours-of-service (HOS) regulations are in place to try to put a stop to trucker fatigue. They ensure drivers get the rest they need to safely operate commercial vehicles that are carrying property:

11-Hour Limit

Drivers can drive for a maximum of 11 hours after being off duty for 10 straight hours.

14-Hour Limit

Truckers cannot drive more than 14 hours after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Spending more hours off duty does not extend this 14-hour limitation.

Mandatory Breaks

Truck drivers are only allowed to drive if eight hours or less have passed since their last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of at least 30 minutes.

60/70-Hour Rule

Drivers are prohibited from driving after spending between 60 and 70 hours on duty over a period of seven or eight straight days. The seven or eight consecutive days restart after the driver takes 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.

These rules are continuously updated and altered. Additionally, truckers are required to maintain detailed logbooks reflecting compliance with these rules.

Contact a Phoenix Trucker Accident Lawyer

Our team at Torgenson Law is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the injured, and we are ready to begin working on your case. No matter how you were hurt in a truck accident if you believe driver fatigue was a factor, our Phoenix personal injury attorneys carefully investigate to find all evidence of negligence to support your claim. Call (602) 726-0747 today and schedule your free consultation.