Were you injured in a truck accident caused by a drowsy truck driver in Chicago, IL? You may be able to pursue damages for your truck accident by filing a personal injury claim. With the help of an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer, you can confidently navigate your case.
At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, our top-rated legal team has recovered more than $250 million, including 75 settlements and verdicts of at least $1 million. Additionally, we have over 35 years of experience.
Don’t try to handle your claim on your own. You can trust our attorneys to advocate for you and fight for maximum compensation. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation at (312) 635-5400.
How Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Tired Truck Driver Accident in Chicago
Fatigued truckers navigating the busy city streets and highways of Chicago, Illinois pose a serious risk to other drivers. The Chicago personal injury lawyers at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers understand the complexities of trucking accident cases and will work quickly to protect your rights and build a strong case on your behalf.
In addition to our extensive experience, we have been recognized for our achievements by the National Trial Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, and other prestigious legal organizations.
When you choose to work with us, you can expect us to :
- Investigate driver logs, black box data, and rest compliance
- Identify all liable parties, including trucking companies
- Gather medical records and expert testimony to support your claim
- Handle insurance negotiations and communications
- Fight for full compensation, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering
With our Chicago truck accident attorneys on your side, you don’t have to face the aftermath of a truck accident alone. Call our law office to schedule a free consultation.
How Driver Fatigue Leads to Truck Accidents
Fatigue is a common issue among truck drivers, who are often expected to spend long stretches of time behind the wheel. Drowsiness is one of the foremost causes of accidents by truck drivers.
Fatigued truck drivers experience slowed reactions, making it difficult to react to changes in traffic, which can lead to collisions. Drowsiness impairs judgment, causing drivers to make poor decisions, such as drifting into other lanes, misjudging distances, or failing to recognize warning signs. Reduced awareness from fatigue means that drivers may not notice changes in their surroundings, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles in the road.
Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel
If they are severely fatigued, drivers can also experience microsleeps or brief periods of unconsciousness. When this happens, there is a complete loss of vehicle control and a strong potential for catastrophic accidents.
According to the National Safety Council, a passenger vehicle will travel the length of a football field within 4 or 5 seconds of microsleep at highway speeds. When truck drivers do this, 18-wheelers can swerve off the road or barrel into cars in front of them.
Common Injuries From Truck Accidents
Tired truck drivers can cause catastrophic accidents with severe injuries or fatalities to passengers of other vehicles. The force of these multi-ton vehicles slamming into a smaller car can cause injuries such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Amputations
- Fatalities
Driver fatigue in truck accidents often leads to severe financial consequences, compounding physical injuries with exorbitant medical bills and lost wages. Survivors and their families are usually left reeling from the consequences of a sleepy driver. You may be able to recover damages, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages, if you were in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver.
Legal Requirements for Truck Drivers
Because of these statistics, the FMCSA created regulations governing the number of hours a truck driver can drive. Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations require truck drivers to take breaks, limit hours driven daily, and meet the following:
11-Hour and 14-Hour Driving Limit
The 11-hour driving limit rule limits the maximum time a driver can drive actively within a given workday, and the 14-hour limit rule restricts the total on-duty time allowed within a workday.
Rest Breaks:
Drivers must take specific rest breaks during their driving periods, allowing themselves to step away from the vehicle, stretch, and refresh themselves, improving alertness and reducing fatigue.
60/70 Hour Limit:
This rule limits the total number of on-duty hours a driver can accumulate within a seven or eight-day period, depending on the carrier’s operating schedule. Even within federally mandated hours, the sheer length of time spent behind the wheel and the industry’s tolerance for irregular sleep patterns can lead to chronic fatigue.
Contact Our Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was involved in an accident caused by a tired truck driver, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as the financial impact it has had on you. Contact a Chicago truck accident lawyer at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers today. We offer a free consultation to discuss your legal options.