A fatigued driver can cause an accident at any time in Sandy Springs. Commercial drivers, such as large truckers, are especially at risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. Fatigued driving can also lead to aggressive driving, road rage, or careless mistakes that cause collisions.
If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident, talk to a Sandy Springs truck accident lawyer. The fatigued driver or their employer is likely responsible for losses. You may deserve full compensation for your medical costs and much more.
John Foy & Associates can help. We have over 25 years of experience working with accident victims. We’ll help you and your family fight for what you deserve. To get started with a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Why Fatigued Driving Is Dangerous
Fatigued driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. When a driver is low on sleep, they are not able to make careful decisions. Also, the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel is enormous.
According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving-related accidents cost around $109 billion per year. And that number only estimates the costs of severe injuries or deaths—not property damage.
Driver fatigue is especially hazardous for truck drivers and other commercial drivers. Truck drivers must spend long workdays on the roads moving cargo. If they don’t get proper rest, the consequences can be huge. Truckers or other people can become seriously injured or killed if driver fatigue causes a collision.
Overworked and Fatigued Drivers Can Cause Accidents
Many commercial drivers are overworked daily. Trucking companies put a lot of pressure on drivers to meet deadlines, even when they allow breaks. The long workdays and stress of the job can easily lead to drowsiness and fatigue.
Lack of sleep can have many negative effects. A drowsy driver might experience:
- Less alertness
- Lower reaction and response times
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Trouble processing information quickly
- Memory loss
- Alcohol or drug use to handle the stress
- Distractions that interfere with driving
A fatigued driver can act similarly to a drunk driver. Either way, it’s a very unsafe state to be in while driving. Fatigue means the driver and everyone else on the road are at risk.
Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers are gigantic vehicles, and they often carry hazardous materials. When one of these trucks gets into an accident, the results are terrible.
Accidents Caused by Driver Fatigue
Commercial trucks can happen in many different ways. Common examples of fatigue-related accidents include:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover crashes
- T-bone collisions
- Unsafe lane change accidents
- Failure to yield accidents
- Left or right turn crashes
- Chemical spills
- Fallen cargo injury accidents
- Head-on collisions
A fatigued truck driver could swerve out of their lane without realizing it. By the time they wake up or “snap out of it,” it might be too late. Fatigued drivers can also make decisions that are not careful in any way. A driver might run a red light or make a turn when it’s not safe.
A drowsy truck driver could also make mistakes while loading their cargo. For example, they could violate the rules under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §40-6-254 for properly securing a load.
All drivers in Sandy Springs have a duty to drive carefully. If someone isn’t careful and it leads to an accident, that driver is typically liable. When a tired truck driver causes an accident, they or their employer is usually responsible.
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Laws to Prevent Truck Driver Fatigue
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA) regulates specific requirements for drivers. New rules under the Act try to reduce how much time a driver is behind the wheel. The goal is to reduce fatigue-related accidents. However, this also requires trucking companies to follow the rules.
Both drivers and companies must enforce and follow safety rules. But the pressure of pushing cargo faster encourages “cutting of corners.” The driver or trucking company might look for ways to work more and not follow the rules.
After your accident, you’ll need to know who was negligent. The negligent party could be:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Another driver
Some commercial drivers are independent contractors. If the driver causes an accident, they might be personally liable. But if the driver is an employee, the trucking company that employs them is probably responsible for the accident costs.
Sometimes, more than one party is at fault. This is more common in complicated accidents with commercial drivers. You might need to pursue compensation from more than one direction.
To make sure you know all the facts, contact a Sandy Springs fatigued driver accident lawyer. John Foy & Associates can help by investigating and gathering the correct information. To discuss your options during a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000.
Damages to Recover from a Fatigued Driver Accident
After an accident you didn’t cause, you have rights. If you or a loved one were victims, you can probably file a claim for compensation. Most of the time, this starts with filing an insurance claim.
You must know all of your accident damages like:
- Medical bills
- Medication costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle repair costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
Fatigued driver accidents tend to be very severe. After the accident, make sure you know all of your damages. That includes ongoing medical costs you might have. Your lawyer will account for any losses you will have from the crash.
Contact a Sandy Springs Fatigued Driver Accident Lawyer
Our fatigued driver accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates have over 25 years of experience. We know what it takes to hold careless drivers and companies responsible. If you suffered injuries in an accident, we’ll fight for your rights to compensation.
Contact us today to learn more about your legal options. We are always on the side of accident victims—never insurance companies. Plus, we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
To get started with a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. Our team is available 24/7 to take your call.
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