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Who’s Responsible When a Truck Driver Causes an Accident by Being Fatigued?

There is no question that tired truck drivers are more dangerous on the roads. But what if they cause a truck accident due to that fatigue? Is the driver responsible? What if the driver dies in the accident? Can anyone else be held accountable? At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas we are here to answer your questions regarding these accidents and who can be held accountable. Read on for more information and then contact our offices at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.

The statistics on tired truck drivers are shocking

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that driver fatigue is at least a factor in between 30% – 40% of all truck accidents. In fact, these stats show that driving while tired can be compared to driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Why? Because being fatigued behind the wheel decreases a person’s attention span and can increase the amount of time they need to respond to a change in traffic or an emergency.

If a driver is extremely fatigued, then they could have repeated short losses of consciousness in which they “nod off” for a second or two. They may not even realize this is happening but it can put everyone on the road in danger of being an accident or being killed.

Who is liable in a truck accident caused by a tired driver?

Determining fault in a truck accident is not an easy process in any situation. Even a situation that may seem black and white, such as a sleep deprived trucker, could be more complicated when it comes time to get the compensation the victims deserve. The only way to ensure that all elements are considered and compared is to work with a personal injury attorney who has experience in this specific type of case. That attorney is Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas.

It is common for a truck driver to skip sleep because they are trying to meet the unrealistic demands their employer puts on them. If this is the situation, then it may be that the employer of a truck driver who causes an accident could be equally liable.

It is also important to consider that even if the accident was partially caused by a tried truck driver, this is not the only potential cause. You will also need to carefully consider whether or not road conditions, the condition of the vehicle, or other drivers were partially at fault. If they were, then it is likely that they may be included in any personal injury case.

If you are not sure how to proceed after being involved in an accident then we have good news for you: Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now and we will provide a free legal case evaluation in which we consider all options and offer our best legal advice.