No one needs to tell you about the devastation one can suffer in a truck accident. After suffering through such an incident yourself in Houma, you likely only need to know one thing: how could such an accident have happened?
Like many of those that come to see us here at The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes, you know that truck drivers are well-trained on how to operate their vehicles. That is why (in the wake of an accident) you may feel confused as to how could one have lost control of their vehicle to the point of causing your accident. The answer could be as simple as an issue that any driver (no matter how experienced they are) may face.
The dangers of drowsy driving
Fatigued drivers may pose a greater risk to you than you think. Indeed, experts estimate that sleep deprivation can be as impairing as alcohol. Plus, you may be much more likely to encounter a drowsy driver on the road (as few appreciate the risks that fatigued driving presents).
Truck drivers are not immune to fatigue. To help prevent it, federal laws mandate that truckers adhere to strict hours-of-service regulations. Per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, these include:
- No driving more than eight hours without taking at least a 30-minute break
- No driving more than 11 hours during a work shift
- No working more than 60-70 hours during the workweek
- No driving beyond the fourteenth hour after having taken 10 consecutive hours off duty
Exceptions to hours-of-service regulations
There are certain situations where hours-of-service regulations do not apply. They may not apply during times of local or national emergency, and they do not apply to vehicles with a gross vehicular weight under 10,000 pounds.