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Truck Driver Fatigue Lawyer

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at 844SeeMike.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

 

 

Falling asleep while driving is dangerous for any driver, but even more so when that driver is behind the wheel of a truck weighing almost 80,000 pounds. Because truck drivers work for low wages and are under pressure to deliver cargo quickly, they often work longer hours than would be considered safe or is permitted by law. When truck drivers drive while fatigued, they put other drivers at risk for serious injury or death, with 13% of truck accidents caused by driver fatigue.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected, and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.

Federal Regulations on Truck Driver Fatigue

On July 1, 2013, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released new regulations regarding how many hours a truck driver may legally drive weekly and the number of hours they must legally rest. The current hours of service regulations for truck drivers include:

  • Truck drivers may drive a maximum of 70 hours a week;
  • Truck drivers must take at least one 30-minute break within an 8-hour shift;
  • Once a truck driver has driven 70-hours, they must take a 34-consecutive hour rest break.

These break periods are in place to encourage rest and provide truck drivers with time to regain the focus and energy required to drive safely.

Penalties for Failing to Follow Federal Regulations

When a truck driver fails to follow FMCSA regulations regarding hours of service, either due to their own negligent decision or because of pressure from their employer, they face stiff penalties for putting other drivers at risk.

Truck drivers who drive more than three hours over the regulated limits could face fines of $2,750 for each hour over that limit. Trucking companies can also face a maximum of $16,000 in fines for each offense. While these fines may seem high, they pale in comparison to what a truck driver or trucking company could face in a truck accident lawsuit.

We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at the work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.  

 

 

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