Fatigued Truck Drivers in Southlake Accidents
Truck driver fatigue can play a major role in the cause of a collision. Your injuries from these types of truck accidents could entitle you to compensation from the truck driver or their employer through an injury lawsuit. If you were recently injured because of fatigued truck drivers in Southlake accidents, consider getting help to understand issues that could apply to your case and pursue your potential claim.
The Risks of Driving While Tired
The risks and effects of fatigued driving could be comparable to driving while intoxicated or distracted. In the worst case, a truck driver could fall asleep behind the wheel and lose control of the vehicle. Even if the driver does not fall asleep, they could still contribute to the cause of a truck accident in Southlake when their fatigue leads to the following issues:
- Missing important traffic signs and signals
- An inability to practice defensive driving
- Decreased reaction times
- Other erratic driving behaviors like swerving into other lanes
Truck driver fatigue can come from not enough sleep, extended periods of driving, the use of certain medications, health factors, and other reasons. Collisions involving truck drivers can be especially dangerous because of the vehicle size and the potential for them to carry hazardous materials that could cause further harm.
Liability for Fatigued Truckers Who Get in an Accident
The liability for injuries resulting from a truck accident will depend on the application of negligence laws to the circumstances of the accident. A fatigued driver could have financial liability when their behavior violates the duty of care to other drivers and pedestrians and causes the accident.
Most truck drivers operate commercial motor vehicles that transport goods on behalf of other businesses. An employer could have liability under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 72.054 when its fatigued truck driver’s negligence that causes an accident in Southlake. The injured person must prove the negligent trucker was an employee and acting within the scope of that employment when the crash happened.
A truck driver’s fault arising from their tiredness is not always evident immediately after the collision. The process often requires a thorough investigation into the driver’s personal history and actions leading up to the incident. This could include details about how many continuous hours on the road the truck driver had before the wreck or how many hours of sleep the driver had. Additionally, the effects of medication and other substances could be relevant in proving the trucker’s fatigue played a role in the crash.
Damages Available to Someone Injured by a Trucker
A person injured through the acts of a fatigued truck driver could allow them to recover financial compensation for the different damages they incur. The state allows recovery for compensatory damages and exemplary damages.
Compensatory damages include economic damages, which provide for lost wages and incurred medical expenses. The other half of compensatory damages are for noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering from the accident that have negatively impacted enjoyment of life. In certain cases, a court or jury may award exemplary damages, which are a form of punitive damages meant to deter acts of malice and gross negligence. Exemplary damages could be available in fatigued truck driver accidents in Southlake, depending on the circumstances. For help calculating potentially available damages and pursuing a claim for compensation, meet with a lawyer.
Reach Out to an Attorney to Discuss Fatigued Truck Drivers in Southlake Accidents
Pressure to deliver their load may cause a trucker to drive longer hours and take less rest than they should. When these actions lead to a collision, devastating injuries are possible. Our team could help you hold fatigued truck drivers in Southlake accidents accountable for their actions. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.