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April 7th, 2025
Truck drivers are the driving force behind the transportation industry, making them indispensable nationwide. They are pressed with long road hours, which in turn create demanding schedules to meet tight deadlines. Often, fatigue is one of the greatest risks to truck drivers, as a lapse in focus can have severe consequences on and off the road for anyone involved.
The Dangers of Truck Driver Fatigue and Ignoring Rest Regulations
Long road hours can have different effects on different drivers. Getting sleepy is part of the job, but alongside that comes potentially dangerous behaviors such as:
While there are federal regulations in place from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to try and reduce the amount of time truck drivers are behind the wheel each day, many push past these to meet their deadlines. The FMCSA currently has the limit set at 11 hours behind the wheel a day after 10 hours in a row not behind the wheel. However, some drivers still skip these rest breaks or change their driving logs to continue on, risking elevated chances of fatigue-related accidents.
There are many direct and indirect factors that can result in fatigue for truck drivers, such as:
Long Hours
Long trips on the road can make recovering difficult, both physically and mentally.
Poor Sleeping Patterns
Truck drivers often have sporadic schedules, leaving sleep schedules to be an afterthought, resulting in less restful sleep.
Driving at Night
Inconsistent driving at night messes the body’s natural sleep cycle.
Sleeping Disorders
Underlying conditions can have drivers fatigued even after getting enough sleep.
Stimulant Dependence
Temporary jolts of alertness from caffeine and energy drinks/mixes lead to a crash in energy eventually, resulting in reduced focus and general fatigue symptoms.
Diet & Hydration
Poor diet practices and not drinking enough water regularly can result in general fatigue and sluggishness.
Fatigue-related accidents can have an array of consequences that are life-altering. Due to the size of commercial trucks, accidents commonly result in serious injuries and fatalities. Injuries may include but are not limited to:
Recovering from a tractor-trailer collision is a long road that includes severe medical expenses and a heavy emotional toll. Holding whoever is liable for the accident legally accountable could help you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Not every 18-wheeler accident is solely the fault of the driver. At times, the parent trucking company can be liable if they had a hand in:
Should the policies of a company make a driver perform in unsafe conditions, the company may be held accountable for the wreck.
Legal counsel could help you determine if fatigue played a role in a truck crash. An experienced truck accident attorney could review logs, GPS data, and employer practices to identify violations. You could potentially be entitled to compensation for any medical expenses, lost income due to the inability to work, as well as pain/suffering.
Long hours on the road combined with a multitude of other factors can make even the most dependable drivers fatigued. When trucking companies try to push for deadlines and long hours beyond what is safe, the road becomes a hazard to everyone.
If you have injuries from a truck accident and need help identifying if fatigue played a role, look into getting legal counsel to help. At Bordas & Bordas, our team of lawyers could help you seek compensation and explore your legal options. Call today for a free consultation.
