Driver fatigue can be an important factor in truck accidents involving large commercial tractor-trailers. The Department of Transportation places limits on how long truck drivers may drive without taking a rest break. When a truck driver breaks this law and causes an accident, he or she can be held responsible for their actions.
The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto work with accident reconstruction experts and other specialists to determine if an accident was caused by a drowsy or fatigued driver. Our attorneys are committed to holding negligent truck drivers and their employers accountable.
Determining Driver Fatigue
There are ways to determine if driver fatigue was involved in truck accidents. Truck drivers are required to keep a log to show that they have followed hours-of-service requirements set by the Department of Transportation. For example, truck drivers are allowed to drive a maximum of nine hours per day. This can be extended to a maximum of 10 hours per day twice a week.
While truck drivers can, and in some cases do, enter false information in logbooks, there are ways an experienced lawyer can discover the truth regarding false logbook entries. For example, many trucks are equipped with computers and GPS units that record when a truck is moving and when it is stopped. If the truck was moving when the driver claimed to be resting, your case becomes a lot stronger.
Toll road receipts and diesel fuel receipts can also provide evidence about where a truck driver was at during certain times of day. In addition, the amount of diesel fuel consumed can be used to determine how long the driver was on the road.
Do You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer? Call Today for a Free Consultation
With more than 75 years of combined experience and more than $45 million recovered for our clients, The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto are serious lawyers, who know how to win. In cases involving truck accidents we move quickly to preserve logbooks, computers, GPS units and receipts before this evidence can be destroyed. Contact us today to arrange for a free consultation. With our contingency fee arrangement, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Give us a call at (865) 691-2777 or contact us through our website The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto to set up a free consultation.