Fatigued Truck Driver Accidents
Driver fatigue is a major factor in truck crashes. In FMCSA's Large Truck Crash Causation Study, 13% of truck drivers involved were judged to be fatigued at the time of the crash. Federal rules ban driving while too fatigued to drive safely, and carriers can be liable for schedules that make fatigue likely.
How does fatigue cause truck crashes?
Fatigue slows reaction time, narrows attention and can cause microsleeps of a few seconds, long enough for a truck to drift across lanes or fail to brake. Long hours, night driving, irregular schedules and untreated sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea all increase the risk.
What rules apply to fatigued drivers?
- Drivers must not drive while their ability or alertness is impaired by fatigue or illness, and carriers must not require them to (49 CFR 392.3).
- Hours-of-service limits cap daily and weekly driving (49 CFR 395.3).
- Drivers must pass a DOT medical exam, which considers conditions that affect alertness (49 CFR 391.41).
How is fatigue proved?
Evidence includes ELD records, the driver's schedule over the previous week, dispatch messages, delivery deadlines, phone records showing activity during rest periods, and the driver's medical certification. Signs at the scene, such as no braking before impact or a lane drift, can also point to fatigue.
Frequently asked questions
How common is truck driver fatigue?
In FMCSA's Large Truck Crash Causation Study, 13% of truck drivers involved in the crashes studied were considered fatigued at the time of the crash.
Can a trucking company be liable for a tired driver?
Yes. Carriers must not require or allow drivers to drive while fatigued, and unrealistic schedules or ignored hours violations can make the company directly liable.
What if the driver was within the legal hours but still tired?
Staying within the hours limits does not excuse driving while too fatigued to drive safely. Federal rules prohibit it regardless of hours.
Does sleep apnea matter in a truck accident claim?
It can. Untreated sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness, and a driver's medical certification and treatment history may be relevant evidence.
What evidence shows a driver was fatigued?
ELD logs, dispatch and delivery records, phone activity, the driver's recent schedule, medical records and crash-scene signs such as no braking before impact.