Northern California Driver Fatigue Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck drivers might feel pressured to keep up with demanding schedules and strict delivery deadlines. They transport consumer goods, online products, and other items to homes and businesses every day. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation and long hours on the road can cause driver fatigue.

The Northern California truck accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm understand the dangers of a truck driver operating a commercial truck despite feeling tired. This behavior can cause catastrophic accidents and severe injuries to the occupants of other vehicles. If you were injured in an accident caused by a fatigued truck driver, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses and have the right to hold the trucker or their employer liable.

Tiemann Law Firm cares about the members of our community. You can count on our Northern California driver fatigue truck accident lawyers to fight hard to protect your rights and achieve your legal goals. We will aggressively pursue compensation from the at-fault party to help you recover from your injuries. For a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help, call us at (916) 999-9000 today.

Hours of Service Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the trucking industry. They place limits on the number of hours truckers can spend on the road and require that truckers take scheduled breaks. This is meant to prevent driver fatigue, so accidents don’t occur.

The hours of service regulations include:

A driver is allowed a maximum of 11 hours of driving after an off-duty period of 10 hours
After ten hours off duty, a driver cannot drive after 14 hours of an on-duty shift
A driver must take a 30-minute break following a consecutive 8 hours of driving
A driver can drive no more than a maximum of 60 driving hours during a seven-day timeframe or perform a maximum of 70 hours of driving in eight days
Two hours may be added to the allowed maximum driving times during adverse driving conditions

Violating any of these regulations puts other drivers in harm’s way. If fatigued driving contributed to the accident in which you were hurt, you should be able to pursue compensation from the truck driver or trucking company.

Does Driver Fatigue Lead to Truck Accidents?

Fatigued driving is a common problem in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 697 vehicle-related deaths involving drowsy drivers in 2019. Many people get behind the wheel despite feeling tired, but it’s dangerous and increases the risk of an accident.

Symptoms often associated with driver fatigue that prevent a person from safely operating their vehicle include:

Slower reaction time
Poor decision-making skills
Trouble concentrating
Inability to follow or understand traffic signs and signals
Falling asleep at the wheel
Diminished motor skills and coordination
Altered sensory perception

Driver fatigue can also cause someone to engage in dangerous behaviors, such as:

Speeding
Tailgating
Failing to yield
Drifting into oncoming traffic or off the road
Running a red light or stop sign
Failing to check blind spots

Any of these actions combined with fatigued driving is a recipe for disaster. It becomes a challenge to avoid crashing into another vehicle because the driver doesn’t have the mental capacity to notice what’s happening around them. Truckers are especially susceptible to fatigued driving accidents because of their demanding schedules.

California Car Insurance Laws

California uses a fault system to determine who should be held liable for an accident. Whoever causes a crash becomes financially responsible for the victim’s injuries and expenses. That means if a truck driver was at fault for the accident you were in, they should provide the compensation necessary for your recovery.

Federal laws require trucking companies to purchase insurance for their drivers. The minimum liability limits depend on the type of cargo on the truck and the vehicle’s total weight.

$300,000 – Under 10,001 pounds and non-hazardous items
$750,000 – Over 10,000 pounds and non-hazardous materials
$1 million to $5 million – Oil and other hazardous freight

You could pursue an insurance settlement depending on the circumstances of the accident. If you can prove the trucker’s actions were responsible for your injuries, the insurance company should provide an adequate amount of money to cover your losses.

It’s critical that you consult with an experienced Northern California driver fatigue truck accident lawyer from Tiemann Law Firm immediately. We can file the claim on your behalf and obtain sufficient evidence to show what happened. You don’t have to go through this overwhelming and stressful time in your life alone. We will remain by your side in the fight for justice.

Compensation You Might Be Entitled To Following an Accident

Driver fatigue accidents can cause severe injuries and fatalities. When they involve commercial trucks, the damage can be even more devastating. Tractor-trailers and other similar vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That’s significantly heavier than the standard passenger car. When the two collide, the smaller vehicle occupants often end up with worse physical injuries and property damage than the trucker.

The losses you suffer after a truck accident can cause economic strain. You might not be able to afford your medical bills or daily expenses to care for yourself and your family. It’s not your responsibility to pay for these costs when someone else was at fault for the crash.

You can seek compensation to cover your past and future losses, such as:

Pain and suffering
Inconvenience
Property damage
Medical expenses
Physical impairment or disfigurement
Lost wages and future earnings
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life

Tiemann Law Firm has over two decades of experience in reviewing an accident victim’s losses to determine the appropriate monetary value of their case. When you hire one of our Northern California driver fatigue truck accident lawyers, we will consider all contributing factors to calculate the right dollar amount to demand from the insurance company. Some of these factors might include:

The type and severity of the injury
The total expenses resulting from the accident
The estimated cost of treatment needed in the future
The number of hours you missed from work
Any physical or mental impairments caused by the injury
The value of damaged personal property
The duration of the recovery period
The impact of the injury on your daily routine, relationships, and quality of life

The insurance company will likely look for evidence to avoid paying the maximum available settlement. Tiemann Law Firm knows the tactics they use to unfairly deny a person’s claim or provide a lowball offer. You can depend on us to aggressively negotiate for the full and fair compensation you deserve. If necessary, we can even file a lawsuit and take them to court.

How Pure Comparative Negligence Could Affect Your Case

California follows the doctrine of pure comparative negligence. This doctrine places a percentage of fault on each person involved in an accident to determine the financial award they deserve. Even if your actions were only partially to blame, you could end up with less compensation than you need to cover your losses.

For example, under normal circumstances where the truck driver is 100% at fault, you could pursue the full monetary value of your losses. However, if your expenses equal $100,000, but a jury finds you to be 20% at fault for the crash, you could only collect up to $80,000 in compensation.

Many people feel bad for others following a car accident. You might feel the need to apologize to the other party or try to explain what might have happened. However, it’s critical that you avoid talking to anyone, especially the investigating officer. Don’t offer any unnecessary details or admit that your actions might have contributed to the accident. Your words could come back to haunt you and negatively affect your case.

Call Tiemann Law Firm for a Free Consultation

At Tiemann Law Firm, our team of Northern California driver fatigue truck accident lawyers advocates for our clients. We can protect your rights to the maximum compensation you deserve for the injuries you sustained. We believe in justice and fight hard to reach a favorable outcome in the cases we take.

We know your future is at stake. You shouldn’t face debt while paying for your medical treatment. The at-fault truck driver or trucking company should suffer the consequences of their actions. You can depend on us to work tirelessly towards your legal goals and remain by your side until the very end.

Tiemann Law Firm is proud of the reputation we’ve earned since opening our doors in 1998. We have received various awards and accolades from prestigious organizations throughout the country. We also care about our community and participate in local charities, such as Casa of El Dorado, Casa Sacramento, Big Brother Big Sister, and Hands for Hope. We believe in not only providing dependable legal services for our clients but also want to keep Northern California residents safe.

Don’t wait to get in touch with a compassionate Northern California driver fatigue truck accident lawyer from Tiemann Law Firm. Once you hire us, we can investigate the accident and start building your case. It’s critical that you begin the legal process immediately following the crash to prepare for unforeseen problems that could arise with your claim. We will provide the guidance and support you need to get through this devastating time in your life.

If you were involved in an accident with a fatigued truck driver, call Tiemann Law Firm right now at (916) 999-9000 for your free consultation. Our legal representatives are available 24/7 to discuss your case and advise how you should proceed.