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In the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Large Truck Crash Causation Study, it was found that fatigue was a major factor in 13% of all truck accidents. However, because fatigue is likely underreported, it’s possible this number is much higher, especially when truckers are pushed beyond legal hours to meet impossible delivery schedules. Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules, established by the FMCSA, are intended to reduce the risks posed by truck driver fatigue.
More trucks pass through Tennessee than any other state in the country. Not only has this created some of the worst bottlenecks nationwide, it has also made our highways and interstates much more dangerous for passenger vehicles. In 2023 (the latest year for which statistics are available), there were 12,858 crashes involving large trucks in Tennessee. Truck driver fatigue and one of its most significant risks, being asleep at the wheel, were cited as two of the top three causes of these wrecks.
At the Haynes Firm, our Tennessee truck crash lawyers have decades of experience holding fatigued truckers and the companies that impose unrealistic schedules to full account.
If you have suffered an injury in a crash caused by a long-haul trucker, The Haynes Firm is here to listen to your story and help you understand your options. Call us at 423-928-0165 to schedule a FREE and confidential consultation with an experienced Johnson City truck crash lawyer and learn more about your rights.
Sleepy drivers are impacted in similar ways as intoxicated drivers, with slower reaction times and reduced awareness of surroundings. Hours-of-service rules have been implemented to prevent long-haul truckers from reaching this point by placing limits on how long they can operate their rig without taking a break.
While there are some exceptions, HOS rules are generally:
Again, fatigue is more than a minor inconvenience. It impairs drivers as badly as alcohol. Reaction time, judgment, and coordination are all compromised when a trucker is tired. This means a much higher risk for devastating truck accidents, including pileups, rollovers, underrides, and more. When a fatigued trucker causes a crash that harms you or someone you love, you have every right to hold them accountable and seek maximum compensation for your injuries.
In a scramble to meet delivery deadlines, truck drivers might:
When the driver of an 18-wheeler violates HOS rules, they place everyone on the road at increased risk for serious or fatal injury. However, truckers don’t typically set their own schedules. In some cases, a driver may feel forced to violate the law in order to meet the demands of the carrier company they are working for. This can complicate liability and make it difficult to accurately place blame.
The Johnson City Truck crash lawyers at The Haynes Firm have decades of experience investigating big rig collisions to establish liability. Even if fatigue is not the only cause, we work to uncover all contributing factors to make sure all liable parties are held accountable for their actions.
It’s one thing to suspect a trucker might have been fatigued at the time of a crash. It’s another thing entirely to prove they violated HOS regulations. Identifying violations is important, however, if Hours-of-Service are to play a role in establishing liability.
Your truck wreck attorney can use a number of tactics to determine if there has been a violation of FMCSA regulations, including:
HOS violations can serve as concrete proof of negligence, but they must be uncovered first. At The Haynes Firm, our attorneys know where to look for evidence and how to determine if a violation has occurred. We also know how to discover why rules were broken (was the trucker trying to get the job done faster, or was their hand forced by a carrier company?) and who to hold to account for your injuries.
Even if a driver hasn’t violated the HOS rules, he or she may still be too fatigued to drive safely, particularly if they have not used the off-duty time to get necessary rest. Driver fatigue can also be proven by looking at the circumstances of a crash, such as a truck leaving the roadway without any other obvious cause.
At The Haynes Firm, we know that a single moment of negligence on the highway can change a life forever. For decades, our Johnson City truck crash lawyers have stood with families across East Tennessee and beyond after devastating crashes caused by fatigue, HOS violations, and reckless shortcuts. We don’t shy away from tough cases. We are prepared to dig deep, uncovering electronic logging data, driver records, and corporate practices that other firms might miss, and our proven trial attorneys are ready to take cases as far as necessary in our pursuit of justice.
Our roots in Tennessee run deep, and our mission is simple: to help everyday people hold powerful trucking companies accountable and pursue the fair and full compensation they deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us nothing until after we have secured a settlement or verdict on your behalf. We understand the expenses that come with serious injury, and we have no interest in adding to your worries. Instead, we are here to offer support, guidance, and relentless advocacy as we protect you from predatory insurance companies and defense attorneys, and fight for the compensation you are due.
To schedule your FREE consultation with one of the Johnson City truck crash lawyers at The Haynes Firm, use our online contact form or call our office today. Serving Kingsport, Bristol, Greenville, and beyond, we are here to listen to your experiences, help you sort through your options, and move your case forward in the direction that serves you best.
1009 East Watauga Ave.
Johnson City, TN 37601
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207 East Main Street
Johnson City, TN 37604
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