Trucker Fatigue and Accidents in Cincinnati
When the Cincinnati truck accident attorneys at The Moore Law Firm represent a client who has been injured or has lost a loved one in a truck accident, we waste no time in starting an accident investigation to accurately determine the causes of the crash. What frequently contributes to crash is the disturbing fact that the truck driver was suffering from the effects of fatigue at the time of the accident. Nearly anyone with a driver's license has had the experience of struggling to keep the eyelids open after a long day of driving, and we all know just how dangerous it is to drive while tired. The thought that a commercial truck driver-whose vehicle weighs up to 80,000 pounds and is capable of causing catastrophic damage in a collision-would take this risk is astonishing, yet it is exactly what happens in many cases.
Fatigue reduces one's awareness, increases reaction time and can even impair a driver's judgment. Driving while tired is, in many ways, every bit as bad as drinking and driving. Unfortunately, many truck drivers willingly stay on the wheel for long periods after they should have stopped to rest. Why would they do this? The fact is that many truckers are under incredible pressure from their employers to meet stiff delivery deadlines, in addition to the fact that truck drivers are often paid by the mile. The economic incentive is great enough that many truckers will place their own lives, and the lives of everyone else on the road, in danger by driving while tired.
Regulations to Prevent Tired Driving
The commonsense idea that truck drivers should not be allowed to stay on the road is reinforced by federal law. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacts and enforces Hours of Service regulations, rules which restrict the number of hours that a trucker can continuously drive before stopping to rest. Some truckers attempt to cheat the system by falsifying the log books which they are required to keep, but this can often be proven with a thorough investigation. If your accident was caused by a tired truck driver, let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve. We believe in holding negligent parties accountable, and we encourage you to contact us now for an initial consultation.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one as a result of another person's negligence, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. The simple fact is that you should not be forced to pay the price for another person's careless or reckless actions.
The legal system gives you the right to seek justice for these wrongs — take advantage of your rights. The most effective step you can take to secure your right to fair compensation for your losses is to hire a Cincinnati personal injury attorney to advocate on your behalf and represent your case to the insurance company.