Truck Driver Fatigue in MA

Truck Driver Fatigue in MA

Attorneys for Boston victims of truck accidents

We can all relate to what it is like to be tired behind the wheel. However, falling asleep while driving is a serious threat to everyone’s safety. It is particularly dangerous when truck drivers operating massive and heavy vehicles doze off. When a driver loses control of a truck, the results can even be fatal for people in the vicinity.

At Breakstone, White & Gluck, our Boston truck accident lawyers proudly assist victims of driver fatigue accidents with seeking compensation for their injuries and damages. Knowing the steps to take in asserting your rights can be confusing. We can guide you through the process while providing aggressive, responsive, and compassionate legal counsel.

How can we help?

What are the causes of truck driver fatigue?

Truck driver fatigue is a serious issue, and it increases the risk of truck accidents on the road. Following are some primary causes of fatigue behind the wheel of a commercial truck.

  • Long hours and tight schedules. Truckers often work long hours to meet delivery deadlines. Even with regulations in place, drivers may push their limits to complete routes, especially when under pressure to deliver goods on time.
  • Irregular sleep patterns. Many truck drivers have inconsistent schedules, which can disrupt the sleep cycle and lead to poor-quality rest. This type of rest makes it difficult to get the sleep level needed to be alert.
  • Monotony of long-distance driving. The repetitive nature of long-haul driving – often through rural or unchanging landscapes – can induce mental fatigue. This “highway hypnosis” effect can make it harder for a driver to stay fully alert.
  • Night driving. Driving at night can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep. Fatigue often peaks during nighttime hours when the body wants to rest. This can impair concentration and reaction time.
  • Poor diet/lack of exercise. Many truckers struggle to maintain healthy diets on the road, opting instead for fast food or processed snacks that can lead to energy crashes. A lack of physical activity can also reduce alertness and increase the risk of fatigue.
  • Substance use. Some drivers use caffeine or even stimulants to stay awake, but these can lead to energy crashes once they wear off – exacerbating fatigue in the long run.

All of these factors make fatigue one of the most significant risks for truck drivers.

Federal regulations to prevent truck driver fatigue

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces hours of service (HOS) regulations. These regulations set strict limits on how long truck drivers can be on duty and drive without resting:

  • 11-hour driving limit. Truck drivers are allowed to operate their vehicles for a maximum of 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. This limit is designed to ensure drivers get enough sleep before returning to work.
  • 14-hour duty limit. Once a driver starts their shift, they have a 14-hour window in which they can be on duty – including driving and any non-driving activities, like loading or unloading cargo. After this 14-hour period, they must take 10 consecutive hours off before resuming their duties.
  • 30-minute break. After eight hours of driving, drivers are required to take a 30-minute break to reduce the risk of fatigue during longer shifts.
  • Electronic logging devices (ELDs). The FMCSA requires most commercial truck drivers to use ELDs to record their driving hours. These devices automatically track driving time, ensuring compliance with HOS rules and making it more difficult to falsify records.

HOS regulations are designed to prevent fatigue-related truck accidents by mandating regular breaks and limiting driving hours. Truck drivers and trucking companies must strictly adhere to these regulations, as violations can result in fines, license suspension, and increased liability in the event you’re harmed in a truck accident.

What effects can fatigue have on a truck driver?

Fatigue can severely impact a truck driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. This can lead to a range of dangerous outcomes:

  • Reduced reaction time. Fatigue slows down your response time, which is particularly dangerous in situations requiring quick maneuvers – like sudden stops or swerves to avoid obstacles in the road. Even a slight delay in reaction time can cause serious accidents at highway speeds.
  • Decreased attention and focus. Fatigue can make it difficult for drivers to maintain focus on the road.
  • Poor decision-making. A drowsy truck driver might misjudge distances, speeds, or take unnecessary risks, increasing the chance of a serious collision.
  • Impaired motor skills. Fatigue can cause a driver to lose coordination, making it more challenging to control the truck’s steering, braking, or shifting. This can lead to swerving, oversteering, or failing to maintain their lane.
  • Risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Fatigue also raises the risk of “microsleep,” which are brief, unintended moments of sleep lasting a few seconds. A driver may close their eyes without realizing it, which can lead to catastrophic accidents.
  • Physical health risks. Prolonged fatigue can also take a toll on a truck driver’s overall health – increasing the risk of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease, which can further impair their driving abilities.

These effects can be extremely hazardous, not only for the truck driver but also for other road users.

How can technology play a role in combating truck driver fatigue?

Trucking companies can employ a number of technologies to fight truck driver fatigue. Here’s how technology can make a difference:

  • Electronic logging devices (ELDs): ELDs automatically record a driver’s hours of service, ensuring they comply with mandated rest and breaks. ELDs can help prevent drivers from overworking and alert them when it’s time for a rest.
  • Fatigue monitoring systems. Some trucks are equipped with in-cab fatigue monitoring systems that use cameras and sensors to detect signs of drowsiness – like drooping eyelids, yawning, or head nodding. When signs of fatigue are detected, the system emits audible alerts to prompt drivers to pull over and rest.
  • Driver assistance systems. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision alerts help reduce the risk of accidents caused by truck driver fatigue. These systems can also remind drivers to take breaks if they repeatedly veer out of their lane or drive too close to other vehicles.
  • Wearable technology. Wearable devices like smartwatches can monitor a driver’s vital signs, like heart rate, to detect early signs of fatigue. If signs of drowsiness appear, the device can send an alert to the driver or dispatch center, encouraging them to take a break.
  • In-cab alerts and reminders. Simple tech, such as timed alerts that remind drivers to take a break or stretch, can also be highly effective in preventing fatigue. These alerts can be set to sound periodically, helping drivers stay mindful of their break schedules.
  • Telematics. Telematics can track a variety of driver behaviors, including speed, braking, and steering patterns, all of which can indicate fatigue. Fleet managers can monitor data in real-time and intervene if a driver shows signs of risky behaviors.

These technologies can play an important role in both identifying and addressing fatigue early – reducing the chance of accidents and keeping drivers and other road users safe.

How can I hold a fatigued truck driver responsible for causing my accident?

After a truck accident, a victim can pursue compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the driver. If the driver is an employee of a trucking company, the trucking company will also be liable based on a doctrine called vicarious liability. This principle allows a plaintiff to hold employers responsible for the careless acts that their employees commit in the course and scope of employment. In the lawsuit, you will need to show that the defendant truck driver failed to use reasonable care and skill when operating their truck. A reasonable truck driver likely would refrain from operating their vehicle if they felt that they were too tired to drive.

Additionally, there are many Massachusetts and federal regulations that limit the number of consecutive hours that a truck driver can drive. It is tempting for truck drivers and their employers to break these rules so that they can make deliveries faster and pick up their next load more quickly. In other cases, overtired drivers may resort to chemical stimulants to help them stay awake. This may lead to situations in which the truck driver is operating their vehicle under the influence, which is also illegal. Evidence of a violation like this can be used to help demonstrate that the truck driver failed to use due care.

An employer may also be held liable if it was negligent in the hiring of the driver. If the driver had a record of irresponsible driving, including previous accidents involving fatigue, the employer might also be responsible for negligent hiring or negligent entrustment.

Once your attorney has established that the defendant failed to use due care, they will show that this failure was the cause of your injuries. In other words, had the truck driver not operated their vehicle while excessively fatigued, you would not have been hurt. There are many causes behind accidents involving driver fatigue, but they primarily relate to the driver’s loss of control over the vehicle or inability to react quickly to sudden changes in driving conditions. Fatigued drivers also may overcorrect when they wake up, leading to falling debris accidents.

After proving causation, the plaintiff will need to submit evidence to support the amount of damages that they claim to have sustained. There are many different types of damages that a plaintiff can possibly recover from a negligent defendant. An example is medical expenses. These can include ambulance fees, hospitalization bills, physical therapy, and medication. Plaintiffs can also seek compensation for lost wages, as well as compensation for any reduction in their future earning capacity. In other words, if your injuries are so severe that you will be prevented from ever returning to your job, you can seek compensation to make up the difference. Usually, the most significant element of damages is pain and suffering, past, present and future. An experienced trial lawyer can assist you with fighting for all of the compensation that you need.

Do you have a Boston truck accident attorney near me?

Breakstone, White & Gluck is dedicated to providing comprehensive counsel to clients throughout the region. We serve clients out of our offices at 2 Center Plaza #530 in Boston. If you are too injured to come to us, we can make alternative arrangements.

Explore your options with an injury lawyer in the Boston area

If you have been injured because of truck driver fatigue, you do not need to navigate the legal process alone. At Breakstone, White & Gluck, we understand what you are going through because we have helped many other victims in cities such as Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Plymouth, Worcester, Lawrence, and Springfield. Our truck accident attorneys pride ourselves on offering compassionate, responsive, and personalized legal counsel while ensuring that your rights are advanced vigorously. To schedule a free consultation, call us now or contact us online.