El Paso Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyer

Attorney for Tractor-Trailer Collisions Serving El Paso, TX

Did you know that extreme fatigue can cause impairments similar to being drunk? Many people who would not drive drunk may get behind the wheel when they are fatigued, increasing the chances of causing an accident. While a passenger car crash can have devastating consequences, a large truck collision is even more dangerous, and many of these accidents involve drivers who are drowsy or overly tired.

You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses sustained in a truck accident caused by a fatigued driver. Commercial truck accident claims are often complicated, and you stand a better chance of a favorable outcome when you work with a personal injury lawyer with experience handling these cases. Attorney Cal Mundell of Cal Mundell Law Firm, PLLC knows the financial strains that often accompany truck accident injuries, so you pay no fees unless we win.

The Effects of Fatigue

Studies and research show that fatigue can cause several impairments that make driving dangerous, such as:

• Lack of focus
• Uncoordinated motor skills
• Poor judgment
• Delayed reactions
• Blurred vision

Fatigue is more than being tired after a normal day's activities. Tiredness is short-term, but fatigue can occur due to constant physical or mental exhaustion. Fatigued drivers may weave between traffic lanes, make sudden maneuvers, run off the road, or have difficulty maintaining a consistent speed. They might also drive too fast for conditions, be reckless or aggressive, or even fall asleep in an 80,000-pound vehicle traveling at highway speeds.

Hours of Service Regulations for Truckers

Because driving while fatigued is so dangerous, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets rules that limit the number of consecutive hours and days a driver can work without a break. The FMCSA regulations also specify how long breaks should be. These rules are very specific and cover various situations.

While these regulations are good in theory, not every truck driver follows them. Whatever the reason, driving while fatigued is negligent. Possible reasons that truckers might ignore fatigue include:

• Deadlines for delivering their load
• Trucking company instructions
• Making up time lost to traffic delays

Too many consecutive hours of being awake, even if not driving the entire time, can affect a person's driving capabilities. Insomnia or disturbed sleep can increase fatigue even when truckers follow the hours-of-service rules. Driving overnight may also diminish alertness and contribute to causing accidents. Truckers sometimes drink coffee or use other stimulants to combat the effects of fatigue, but these remedies can also have detrimental side effects when used too often.

The Dangers of Truck Accidents

Large commercial trucks are massive compared to passenger automobiles. A truck's weight and dimensions make safe maneuvering challenging even in ideal conditions, but fatigued driving is less than ideal. Collisions with trucks can crush cars, push or drag them, and force vehicles to crash into other vehicles or unmoving objects. Aside from the potential property damage, catastrophic injuries can occur, such as:

• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord damage, including temporary or permanent paralysis
• Facial damage, including permanent disfigurement
• Amputations

Not all injuries are physical. Some wounds caused by fatigued truck accidents can dramatically affect your quality of life, and you deserve compensation for your losses.

Truck Accident Compensation Challenges

To hold someone accountable for your damages, you need to prove fault. That task is often challenging in truck wrecks, because there are several potentially liable parties. An in-depth investigation is sometimes necessary to find evidence that supports your claim.

Damages in these cases are often high to compensate victims for their injuries and other losses, and insurance companies do not like making high payouts. Insurers may deny your claim, make unreasonably low settlement offers, or attempt to assign you more than your share of the blame for causing your accident. Working with Cal Mundell Law Firm, PLLC gives you an advantage, because our founder, Cal Mundell, used to represent insurance companies. He has first-hand knowledge of the tactics they might use against you, and he will use that knowledge to your benefit.

Request Your Free Consultation With Our El Paso, TX Driver Fatigue Truck Accident Lawyer

If you are injured in a collision with a fatigued truck driver, you can rely on Cal Mundell Law Firm, PLLC to protect your best interests and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us at 915-250-0700 or online to schedule your free consultation. We will discuss your case and tell you how we can help. Someone is available 24/7 to take your call.