Truckers are professional drivers who must follow specific safety rules and regulations while operating their vehicles or risk losing their commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). One significant hazard long-haul truckers face is driving without enough rest.
Large vehicles, such as 18-wheelers, are challenging to operate under the best circumstances. When truck drivers do not take adequate rest breaks, they have slower reaction times, decreased alertness, and are more likely to become involved in a collision.
When you suffer injuries and losses due to a fatigued truck driver in a Buffalo accident, you may have grounds to file a civil claim against the driver or their employer to recover compensation for your damages. Reach out to our dedicated truck accident attorneys to learn more about your options during a free consultation.
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Truck Driver Fatigue
Some of the common reasons truck drivers may not get enough rest while operating their vehicles includes the following:
Pressure from the trucking company, vendors, and cargo providers to make quick turnarounds
Unmanageable deadlines
Long distances between safe rest areas where they can park overnight
Lack of quality amenities while traveling
While not every fatigued truck driver that causes a collision in Buffalo does so due to a desire to skirt the rules to gain profit, they are still responsible for complying with regulations to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road. After a collision, our experienced team can review evidence thoroughly to find the cause of the event and establish liability.
Truck Driver Hours of Service Regulations
Fatigued driving is a significant problem. Tired drivers present many risks and put themselves and other motorists at risk of accidents and life-threatening or fatal injuries. To reduce wrecks, the New York Department of Transportation (DOT) adopted Title 49 of The Federal Regulations Code to govern truck driver hours of service and record-keeping requirements. Hours of service regulations require truck drivers to comply with the following:
Truckers may operate their vehicles for a maximum of 11 hours and be off duty for ten consecutive hours
CDL drivers cannot drive past the 14th hour of duty after being off duty for ten straight hours
Truck drivers cannot operate their vehicles for over 60 hours for a seven-day work schedule or 70 hours in eight days
Operators must take a rest period of no less than 34 hours to reset a seven or eight day work week
During travel, when truckers sleep in the truck’s compartment or sleeper berth, they must remain off-duty for eight consecutive hours between shifts and take two additional one-hour breaks.
Record-Keeping Requirements
These regulations provide further instructions regarding truck driver record-keeping requirements. Truckers must keep a daily log to record driving hours, off-duty hours, and breaks.
The register must be accurate and list specific times by reporting clock-in and clock-out times daily. If a fatigued trucker causes a Buffalo accident, our attorneys can review these logs as necessary evidence to establish liability for the event.
Meet With Our Attorneys to Discuss Fatigued Truck Drivers in Buffalo Accidents
Operating commercial trucks is challenging. However, the trucking industry is crucial for transporting goods and maintaining the economy’s health. The federal and state governments strictly regulate trucking industry standards, including service hours, to reduce the risk of severe collisions.
When you are in an accident because of a truck driver’s carelessness, reviewing their logs and other evidence is essential. CallRichmond Vona, LLC about fatigued truck drivers in Buffalo accidents when you need help determining your legal options and next steps after a wreck.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
