How Do You Establish Drowsy Driving as the Reason for a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries and significant damage. One of the leading causes of truck collisions is drowsy driving. When a trucker gets behind the wheel without getting enough sleep or rest, this significantly increases the risk of a dangerous crash. This is because drowsy driving can impair judgment, slow reaction times, and cause hazardous lapses in attention. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ranks driver fatigue among the leading factors contributing to truck crashes. While establishing drowsiness as the cause of an accident can be challenging, with the help of a skilled lawyer, you can prove that the driver’s fatigue caused the accident. Your lawyer can conduct a detailed investigation and help you understand federal and state trucking regulations.
Common Causes of Drowsy Driving
Some of the most common causes of drowsy driving include the following:
- Long Hours and Overworking
Tight delivery schedules frequently push truck drivers to work extended hours despite regulations limiting driving time. This pressure often leads to exhaustion, making drivers more prone to causing accidents.
- Inadequate Rest
Irregular sleep schedules and uncomfortable resting conditions can result in poor sleep quality. Over time, this lack of rest compounds fatigue, leaving drivers less alert while behind the wheel.
- Health Issues
Conditions like sleep apnea, obesity, and cardiovascular problems can impact a driver’s ability to sleep properly, increasing the likelihood of fatigue.
- Use of Impairing Substances
To manage stress or beat the monotony of the job, drivers may turn to alcohol, drugs, or even prescription medications. Unfortunately, these substances, even when legally obtained, can cause drowsiness or impair focus.
Evidence You Can Use To Establish Drowsy Driving
Unlike drunk driving, which can be easily proven with a breathalyzer test, there is no straightforward method when it comes to proving that a driver was drowsy. This makes it more challenging to establish fatigue as the cause of an accident. However, it is still achievable. An experienced attorney and investigators can compile a range of evidence to construct a compelling case, including the following:
Driver Logs and Electronic Logging Devices (Elds)
Per federal law, truck drivers must maintain accurate records of their driving hours and brakes. ELDs can reveal if the driver violated the hours-of-service regulations.
Surveillance Footage
Video footage from dashcams, traffic cameras, or nearby businesses may reveal any erratic driving behaviors, such as swerving on the road or failing to brake, which can indicate that the driver was potentially drowsy.
GPS Data
Another piece of evidence that can be used is GPS data. GPS tracking systems document travel patterns, speed, and rest periods. If any discrepancies are found in these records, it can suggest that the trucker continuously drove without taking adequate breaks.
Driver’s Cell Phone Records
The driver’s phone activity can also be examined to determine if they were using their phone during rest periods. If so, this might indicate that the driver was not sleeping when required, contributing to fatigue.
Witness Statements
Eyewitnesses can report erratic driving or signs of drowsiness, such as weaving between lanes or the driver appearing fatigued at a rest stop.
Physical Evidence and Expert Analysis
The absence of skid marks may indicate the driver was asleep at the wheel. Accident reconstruction experts and sleep specialists can assess this evidence to support fatigue-related claims.
Contact a Towson Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, contact our experienced Towson truck accident lawyer serving Towson, Baltimore, and throughout Maryland to discuss your case.
Source:
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving
