Hyattsville, MD Driver Fatigue Truck Accident Attorney

Trusted Lawyer for Accidents Caused by Fatigued or Drowsy Truck Drivers in Hyattsville, Maryland

Drivers in Maryland often need to share the road with large commercial trucks, but due to the size and weight of these vehicles, they can be seriously injured when truck accidents occur. When a truck driver becomes fatigued or drowsy, the risks of an accident increase dramatically. Fatigue can affect a driver's ability to make quick decisions, remain alert, and maintain control of their vehicle. Victims injured by truck drivers who acted unsafely will need to understand their legal options.

At Kisner Law, we help people who have been injured in truck accidents caused by fatigue pursue justice and secure financial compensation for their damages. Attorney Jason Kisner will work to uncover the causes of a truck crash. Through his aggressive approach, he can help ensure that truck drivers and their employers will be held accountable for the harm that occurred due to their negligence.

Why Truck Drivers Become Fatigued

Truck driving is a demanding job, and it is easy for drivers to become tired as they work long shifts. Despite federal regulations that limit the number of hours a person can drive and require them to receive adequate rest, many truck drivers operate under pressure to meet tight deadlines, which can add to stress and fatigue. There are multiple factors that can contribute to truck driver fatigue, including:

• Long Hours on the Road: Truck drivers may violate hours-of-service regulations due to pressure from employers to complete deliveries as quickly as possible or because of poor scheduling.
• Night Driving: Operating a truck after dark can disrupt the body's natural sleep cycle, especially if a truck driver follows an irregular schedule. This can lead to drowsiness and other dangerous effects.
• Inadequate Sleep: Sleeping in truck cabs or other environments with poor sleep conditions can affect a driver's ability to receive enough rest.
• Monotonous Driving Conditions: Long stretches of highway driving can lead to mental fatigue, affecting a truck driver's ability to remain alert.
• Medical Conditions and Medications: Sleep apnea or other undiagnosed fatigue-related disorders can lead to drowsiness, even if a truck driver receives sufficient rest. The use of certain medications can also affect a driver's ability to remain awake and alert.

In many cases, truck drivers will experience multiple factors that can lead to fatigue. In some cases, drivers may fall asleep behind the wheel, or they may struggle to respond to traffic conditions and maintain control of their vehicle.

The Dangers of Driver Fatigue in the Trucking Industry

Fatigue can have similar effects to alcohol or drug use. When a person is tired or drowsy, their reaction time slows, their concentration diminishes, and their decision-making ability declines. For a commercial truck driver, these impairments can be catastrophic. Drowsiness can cause a driver to miss a turn, drift out of their lane, or fail to stop in time to avoid a collision.

Some of the most common types of truck accidents associated with fatigue include:

• Rear-End Collisions: A tired driver may not brake in time when approaching slower traffic. When a truck collides with another vehicle from behind, it can cause a great deal of damage and inflict serious injuries on drivers or passengers.
• Jackknife Accidents: Sudden braking or overcorrection can cause a truck's trailer to swing out and lead to a loss of control. These accidents may block multiple lanes of traffic, creating serious hazards.
• Lane Departure Accidents: A truck driver who is fatigued may drift across lanes or veer off the road. This can lead to head-on collisions, or a truck may strike pedestrians or collide with obstacles on the side of the road.
• Rollover Accidents: Inattentiveness or oversteering can lead to a loss of control, especially on curves or ramps, and a truck may turn over. An overturned trailer can crush other vehicles or block traffic, and cargo may spill, creating additional hazards.

Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, these crashes often result in severe injuries, permanent disability, or death. Victims may have significant medical expenses, and they may also struggle financially due to a loss of income.

Proving That Fatigue Played a Role in a Truck Crash

Demonstrating that a truck driver was fatigued at the time of an accident can help ensure that the driver and their employer will be held accountable. Attorney Kisner will perform a thorough investigation to uncover the causes of the crash and identify signs of driver fatigue. This may include reviewing:

• Driver Logbooks and Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): These records can help determine whether the driver exceeded their hours-of-service limits or took required rest breaks.
• Shipping Schedules and Delivery Deadlines: Unrealistic or unreasonable scheduling may indicate that a driver had been pressured to skip rest periods.
• GPS and Telemetry Data: This data can provide insight into the driver's route, rest stops, and driving patterns before the crash.
• Witness Statements: Passengers, other motorists, or first responders may have noticed signs of drowsiness or erratic driving by a truck driver.
• Surveillance and Dashcam Footage: Videos may reveal that the driver failed to react appropriately or showed other signs of fatigue before the crash occurred.

Contact Our Hyattsville Driver Fatigue Truck Accident Lawyer

As you address the injuries you have suffered in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue, Kisner Law can fight to ensure that the responsible parties will be held fully accountable for the harm they have caused. Get in touch with us at 240-459-0097 to set up a free consultation and take the first step toward recovery.