Tired Truck Driver Accidents in Austin
We Can Help You Seek Justice – Call 24/7 for a Free Review
All truck drivers are governed by rules established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These rules include guidelines for how much sleep a truck driver must have based on the number of hours they have been on the road. When these guidelines are ignored, tired drivers can get behind the wheel, which puts everyone else on the road at risk.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured by a tired truck driver, you should have your case reviewed by an Austin truck accident lawyer who can help you understand your rights and legal options. At The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, we have extensive experience handling all types of truck accident cases. Let us put this experience to work for you!
Contact us today to have an Austin personal injury lawyer review your case for free.
“I was hit by an 18 wheeler when the driver changed lanes, striking my vehicle. This resulted in my car being totaled and months of medical treatment for me. Mr Stewart represented me in a lengthy lawsuit. He personally touched base with me often, keeping me updated at all times. He and his caring staff made a difficult time much easier.”
T. S.
How Our Attorneys Can Help You
- We have represented thousands of accident victims
- Our services are available 24/7 – you can call day or night
- We accommodate English and Spanish speaking clients
- We don’t charge any fees unless we win your case
Who Is Liable for an Accident Caused By Driver Fatigue?
Truck driver fatigue claims are often complex because of the fact that there can be multiple parties who can share in the liability. While it is the truck driver’s responsibility to ensure that he or she gets enough sleep, some investigations show that the driver was pushed into extra hours of service by his or her employer in order to meet a tight deadline.
When handling these kinds of cases, we do the following:
- Look for prior violations by the driver and/or their employer
- Review the driver’s log books to look for hours of service violations
- Examine information from GPS units or black box recorders
At The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, our team knows how to investigate cases involving truck driver fatigue and how to build a strong personal injury case designed to secure the best possible outcome for you.
If you or someone you love was hit by a drowsy driver, please do not hesitate to discuss your options with an Austin truck accident attorney at our firm.
Truck Drivers Must Abide By Federal Regulations
In the U.S., all truck drivers must abide by the hours of service regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. According to the FMCSA, truck drivers cannot work more than 11 hours without taking a 10-hour break in between shifts. Similarly, drivers cannot work more than 14 hours a day, with only 11 hours being spent on the road.
Over a seven-day period, truck drivers cannot work more than 60 hours. Over an eight-day period, they cannot work more than 70 hours. They are also required to keep a log book for every 24-hour period of service. Trucking companies must ensure that their drivers are maintaining their log books, and are prohibited from overworking their drivers.
