When you’re involved in an collision with a tractor-trailer, determining whether or not the truck driver was at fault can be a complex matter. While the police will conduct an investigation, it may be up to your truck wreck injury attorney to establish fault for the purposes of your claim. Truckers work long, grueling hours, and sometimes fatigue can be a key element of the case. This is one reason why it’s important to hire someone experienced in handling truck accidents.

How Fatigue Factors Into Truck Accident Fault

Why Do Truckers Drive When They’re Fatigued?

The pay truck drivers receive is based upon the amount of time they spend driving. Essentially, if they’re not driving their truck, they’re not making money. This concept once led to truck drivers staying on the road for days at a time without a break until the federal government began to regulate those hours. 

Unfortunately, drivers don’t always obey the law. Some overextend themselves and stay on the road for longer than 10 hours. Even those who take breaks after 10 hours of driving may get back to work sooner than recommended and endanger everyone else on the road. These practices are often unhealthy for truck drivers and unsafe for others on the road because of weariness and fatigue.

Experts have established that the ability of a fatigued truck driver to safely drive their truck can be even more impaired than a drunk driver.  The amount of carnage that a tractor trailer extending more than 60 feet in length and over 80,000 pounds operated by such an impaired driver is horrendous.

Truck wrecks are very different than car wrecks and the level of technical knowledge required for an attorney who handles truck wreck cases is more intense and wide ranging.  Trucking companies and truck drivers hold specialized licenses and are governed by Federal Laws and Regulations including the Federal Motor Carriers.

A robust knowledge and understanding by the attorney of the telematics and safety devices installed on various models of trucks, electronic driver’s logs, and the Federal and State regulatory requirements for truck drivers and trucking companies is necessary to achieve the best results for you.

Mr. Falgione is a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys whose members dedicate themselves to representing victims and their families of truck wrecks.

When you hire a truck wreck attorney from the Law Offices of Adrian L Falgione LLC, you’ll rely on their 30 years of experience to help you pursue your truck wreck claim. Attorney Falgione and his staff work closely with each client, so you’ll receive the personal attention your case deserves. To learn more about the firm’s experience, visit their website. To schedule an initial consultation, call (803) 957-6543.