How Driver Fatigue Leads to Commercial Truck Accidents in North Carolina

Commercial trucks are vital to North Carolina’s economy, transporting goods across the state and beyond. However, the consequences can be devastating when truck drivers are fatigued. Fatigue impairs reaction time, reduces awareness, and increases the likelihood of serious or fatal crashes, especially when operating large, heavy vehicles like tractor-trailers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck collision, don’t wait to seek legal guidance. Contact our Charlotte personal injury lawyers at Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt today for a free consultation to find out how we can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve

Why Is Driver Fatigue So Dangerous?

Fatigue impacts a truck driver’s performance in much the same way alcohol does. It slows reaction time, clouds judgment, and can cause drivers to fall asleep at the wheel.

Commercial drivers work long hours, often driving overnight or across multiple states to meet tight delivery deadlines. Over time, irregular sleep schedules and long hauls wear down the body and mind, even when drivers believe they are alert enough to continue.

Even a brief “microsleep”—a lapse in attention lasting only a few seconds—can lead to disaster when a fully loaded truck travels at highway speeds.

The Impact in North Carolina

North Carolina experiences hundreds of commercial truck collisions every year. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, large truck crashes have caused thousands of injuries and numerous fatalities across the state in recent years. Fatigue is often a contributing factor, especially in crashes involving rear-end collisions, lane departures, or failure to stop in time.

When a truck driver falls asleep or loses focus, the consequences are far more severe than in a typical passenger car. Trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a car, requiring significantly longer distances to stop. A moment of inattention can result in catastrophic injuries to other motorists.

Regulatory Measures

Driver fatigue is such a well-documented danger that it has prompted federal oversight aimed at reducing the risk. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has implemented strict Hours of Service (HOS) regulations to address this issue. These rules limit how long commercial truck drivers can remain behind the wheel without adequate rest. By enforcing mandatory rest breaks and maximum driving limits, the FMCSA seeks to protect truck drivers and the public from preventable, fatigue-related crashes. Understanding these regulations is key to identifying when violations may have contributed to a severe collision.

Key HOS rules include:

• 11-Hour Driving Limit: Drivers may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• 14-Hour On-Duty Limit: Drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, even if they’ve taken breaks during that time.
• Rest Breaks: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
• 60/70-Hour Weekly Limit: Drivers may not drive after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days, depending on the carrier’s schedule.

Despite these rules, violations still happen due to pressure from trucking companies or unrealistic delivery expectations.

What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt in a Fatigue-Related Truck Crash

If you or someone you love has been injured in a commercial truck collision, and you suspect driver fatigue played a role, acting quickly is essential. Proving fatigue often requires examining driving logs, GPS data, and the trucking company’s practices.

At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, our Charlotte personal injury lawyers have the resources and experience to investigate commercial truck crashes thoroughly. We can identify violations of safety regulations, hold negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call 704-377-3737 or contact us online today. We provide unique legal services tailored to each client’s needs and do not get paid unless you do.

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Because every case is different, the description of awards and issues previously managed by our law firm does not guarantee a similar outcome in current or future cases.

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