California drivers know that the I-10 and I-15 are some of the most dangerous highways in the state. While most drivers are used to seeing speeding and unsafe maneuvers, it is important for all drivers to know the hidden dangers of fatigued truck drivers on I-10 and I-15. Truck drivers have a demanding job that can be physically taxing, and fatigued driving is more of a danger than many people realize.
The Hidden Dangers of Fatigued Truck Drivers on I-10 and I-15
When most drivers think of the most common causes of vehicle accidents in California, they think of speeding, texting while driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Truck accidents happen for many of the same reasons that other accidents happen, but fatigued driving is another common cause of truck accidents in California each year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that there were 633 recorded deaths from accidents caused by fatigued driving in the United States in 2023. Any driver can potentially cause an accident while fatigued, but when a truck driver causes an accident this way, it’s possible for those involved to suffer catastrophic harm and for the incident to raise complex legal questions for everyone involved.
Understanding Truck Industry Regulations
The National Safety Council reported that in 2023, there were nearly 5,400 large trucks involved in fatal crashes and nearly 115,000 involved in injury crashes throughout the United States. The trucking industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States due to the inherently dangerous nature of these large vehicles. When trucking companies fail to abide by these regulations, they can be held liable for any resulting damages.
Hours of service rules in the trucking industry exist to ensure that truck drivers get adequate rest between their shifts to reduce the chance of fatigued driving accidents. Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of alcohol. Fatigue can impair judgment, slow reaction time, and inhibit depth perception, significantly increasing the risk of an accident. If any driver falls asleep at the wheel, they put themselves and all others around them in danger.
It is also possible for a fatigued driving accident to be the truck driver’s fault. It’s possible that their employer did enforce hours-of-service rules in good faith, but the truck driver knowingly violated them for some reason. Ultimately, these cases can be difficult to resolve, and you will need a personal injury attorney’s help to firmly establish liability for your damages.
If you or a family member has been hurt in a truck accident that was caused by a fatigued driver, you need to hire a truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can so they can help you determine your most viable recovery options. It’s possible for fault to fall to the truck driver and/or their employer if hours-of-service regulations were violated or if the company failed to properly enforce them.
Recovering From a Truck Accident in California
In California, all vehicle accidents are resolved based on fault. This means that whoever caused the accident is liable for the resulting damages, and you will need to prove fault for your accident before you can claim any compensation for your damages from another party. When your accident resulted from a fatigued truck driver, you will need an attorney’s help to gather the evidence you may need to establish liability for your damages.
It’s possible to claim compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and your pain and suffering after a fatigued driving accident in California. Navigating your legal proceedings successfully could be challenging, so you need to hire a truck accident lawyer who understands the applicable regulations and who can help you claim maximum compensation for your damages.
FAQs
Q: How Do You Prove Fault for a Truck Accident in California?
A: You can prove fault for a truck accident in California using various forms of evidence that a skilled attorney can obtain for you. If the accident resulted from any type of fatigued driving, your attorney may be able to obtain trucking company records that will show the driver’s shift and rest break record in the days leading up to the accident.
Q: How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Truck Accident in California?
A: The amount of compensation you can claim for a truck accident in California largely depends on the severity of your injuries. If you can prove that another party is responsible for causing your accident, you have the right to seek compensation for any economic and non-economic damages they caused. A skilled attorney can help you accurately calculate your claimable damages to determine the full potential value of your case.
Q: What Are the Penalties for Fatigued Driving Accidents in California?
A: It is possible for the driver responsible for causing a fatigued driving accident to face various penalties. For example, if a trucking company neglected to enforce hours-of-service rules in a way that contributed to a fatigued driving accident, the company could face heavy fines, forced suspension of its operations, or even criminal charges. Your attorney can explain how any such variables could influence your case.
Q: Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in California?
A: You should hire a truck accident lawyer in California to help you navigate the legal aftermath of your accident. You may need to prove that a trucking company failed to enforce industry regulations in a way that caused your accident, such as an hours-of-service violation that resulted in a fatigued driving accident. When you hire a truck accident lawyer, they can identify any regulatory issues that are likely to influence your case.
The team at Easton & Easton has years of experience helping injured drivers recover from all types of vehicle accidents, including truck accidents that result from fatigued driving. Our goal in every case we accept is to help our client recover as much compensation as state law allows for their damages and to do so as efficiently as possible. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team and learn how we can assist you with your case.
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