Falling asleep at the wheel poses a serious and immediate threat to everybody on the road. When a truck driver falls asleep or is too tired to continue driving, the consequences can be particularly disastrous to drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike. That’s because when a truck driver fails to control an 18-wheeled, 80,000-pound truck, the big rig becomes a weapon capable of causing some of San Diego’s most deadly accidents. Fatigued driving is a form of impaired driving. Truckers who are excessively tired are statistically proven to have reaction times similar to drunk or drugged drivers.
Unfortunately, fatigued truckers often choose to keep driving when they know they should pull over and get some rest. In the case of truck drivers, federal “Hours of Service” rules prevent commercial truckers from spending too many hours on the road. But this often not the case. A truck driver might face pressure from truck companies to meet tight deadlines or even be encouraged to break the rules. Because many truck drivers get paid by the mile, they might try to squeeze a few extra miles for their own benefit. Despite these so-called “Hours of Service” rules, accidents involving fatigued drivers happen all-too-often in Southern California.
It can be difficult proving the truck driver that hit you was excessively tired or asleep at the wheel without help from an experienced attorney. You may find the trucker who hit you denies any wrongdoing. The trucking company might try to destroy driver records or hide valuable evidence that reveals driver wrongdoing or Hours-of-Service violations. Don’t face this pressure alone. Contact our firm today. We know what it takes to prove truck company or truck driver negligence after your accident. We are well-versed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations that may have an impact on your claim.
