Has A Tired Commercial Truck Driver hit you?

When a truck crashes into a car, the damage is usually severe. These vehicles are huge, and when something goes wrong, it’s the people in the smaller vehicle who tend to get hurt the most. While there are a number of reasons truck accidents happen, one of the most common, and most overlooked, is driver fatigue.

Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, and the pressure to meet tight deadlines often pushes them past safe limits. The problem is, when someone operating an 80,000-pound vehicle is tired or sleep-deprived, it only takes one mistake to change someone’s life forever.

Why Is Fatigue Behind the Wheel So Dangerous?

Driving while tired might not seem like a big deal, but it seriously impacts a person’s ability to react and stay alert. Studies have shown that being awake for 18 to 24 hours affects your body the same way alcohol does. So, imagine driving after being up all night. Now imagine doing that while operating a vehicle big enough to crush a car on impact.

Tired drivers are more likely to drift between lanes, miss red lights, misjudge distances, or even fall asleep entirely. It’s not just dangerous, it’s reckless. And in the world of commercial trucking, it’s more common than you’d think.

Why Do Truck Drivers Get So Tired in the First Place?

A big part of the problem comes down to how the industry works. Truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver goods on time, even if it means skipping sleep. Many of them drive overnight, deal with irregular schedules, or push through exhaustion just to keep up with their routes.

Some of the main causes of truck driver fatigue include:

  • Driving for too many hours without proper breaks
  • Not getting enough rest between shifts
  • Driving at night when the body naturally wants to sleep
  • Having undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders like sleep apnea
  • Using caffeine or stimulants to stay awake, which later leads to a crash in alertness

In many cases, drivers are pushed to keep going by trucking companies that prioritize delivery speed over safety. That kind of pressure often leads to poor decisions, and the consequences are felt by everyone else on the road.

Aren’t There Rules to Prevent This Kind of Thing?

Yes, there are federal rules called Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations, which are supposed to ensure drivers rest enough between trips. These rules limit how many hours a driver can be on the road, how long they can work in a day, and how many breaks they need to take.

Some of the key limits include:

  • No more than 11 hours of driving after 10 hours off
  • No driving after 14 hours on duty, even if some of that time was spent not driving
  • Mandatory 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving
  • Weekly caps on total driving hours, with a reset period

While these rules sound good on paper, they aren’t always followed. Some companies push drivers to break the rules. Others look the other way. And some drivers fudge their logs to keep up with demand. When that happens, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

How Can You Tell If Fatigue Played a Role in a Truck Accident?

It’s not always obvious, especially in the moments right after a crash. But there are signs, and a good attorney knows how to find them.

Things like:

  • Gaps or inconsistencies in the driver’s logbooks
  • GPS records that show long, uninterrupted driving times
  • Dispatch records showing pressure to stay on schedule
  • Surveillance or dashcam footage showing signs of swerving or drifting
  • Witnesses who saw the driver looking tired or acting strangely
  • Medical reports showing possible stimulant use or untreated sleep issues

If there’s a reason to believe the driver was too tired to be on the road, that information can be used to build a strong legal case.

Who’s Responsible When a Fatigued Truck Driver Causes a Crash?

It’s not always just the driver who is at fault. In many cases, the trucking company shares the blame, especially if it ignored safety rules or encouraged the driver to keep going past legal limits.

The following parties could be held accountable:

  • The driver, for continuing to drive while too tired to be safe
  • The company, for unsafe scheduling or not enforcing rest breaks
  • Dispatchers or managers who pressured the driver
  • Anyone who may have tampered with records or logbooks

Accidents involving trucks are complicated, and there’s often more than one person responsible. That’s why having a legal team that can dig into the details is so important.

What Can You Be Compensated for After a Crash Like This?

If you were injured in a truck accident or if someone you love was killed, you may be entitled to compensation. These cases often involve serious injuries, brain trauma, spinal damage, broken bones, and long-term disability. The medical bills alone can be overwhelming.

A successful claim may cover:

  • Medical costs, now and in the future
  • Lost wages and loss of future income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage
  • Funeral costs and wrongful death damages, in fatal cases

Insurance companies representing truckers and shipping companies will try to downplay your injuries or deny responsibility. That’s why it’s critical to have a team that knows how to fight back.

How Can The Rizzuto Law Firm Help?

At The Rizzuto Law Firm, we don’t back down from trucking companies or their insurance providers. We know how these accidents happen, and we understand the pressure drivers are under. But pressure doesn’t excuse negligence. If a driver got behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have, someone has to be held accountable.

Our team will:

  • Launch a full investigation into the crash
  • Preserve evidence before it disappears
  • Request driver logs, black box data, and company records
  • Interview witnesses and consult trucking experts
  • Deal with the insurance companies so you don’t have to
  • Take the case to trial if that’s what it takes to get you justice

You only get one chance to do this right. We’ll make sure it counts.

Think Fatigue Caused Your Truck Accident? Don’t Wait to Get Help

Truck accidents move fast, but so does the evidence. If you wait too long, key records can disappear or be altered. If you suspect driver fatigue played a role in your crash, it’s time to take action.

Call 516-604-5496 today to speak with The Rizzuto Law Firm for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options, and fight for the best possible outcome. You don’t pay us unless we win.