A Fatigued Truck Driver Hit my Car – Now What?

AUTHOR: A.J. Bruning | May 28, 2015
A Fatigued Truck Driver Hit my Car – Now What?

Truck drivers are on the road for long hours and can easily get fatigued. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict hours of service regulations1 to try to prevent accidents caused by drivers who are overly fatigued. Fatigue, however, is still a main cause of commercial truck accidents and injured victims can hold the fatigued driver responsible by filing a legal claim. Anyone who has been injured because a truck driver fell asleep behind the wheel should discuss a case with an attorney today.

Driver Records and Other Evidence of Fatigue

Once you have decided to file a legal claim, you must have evidence to show the driver was fatigued. One of the first things that should be examined following a truck accident is the logbook of the driver. Drivers are required to keep records of their shifts to demonstrate compliance with hours of service rules. If a logbook states that a driver exceeded driving shift limits, that can be used as evidence that they were negligent in driving while fatigued.

Some drivers, however, may falsify the logbook to seem like they were within hours of service guidelines when, in fact, they exceeded the allowed driving time. In such situations, an attorney can find other ways to determine the driver’s schedule prior to the accident. For example, examining receipts for purchases or deliveries can show where the driver was at certain points of the day. Additionally, violations may be indicated if a driver made more deliveries than the standard driving shift would allow.

Call an Experienced Auto Collision Attorney in St. Louis for a Free Consultation

If a you have suffered injury in a truck accident or any other type of traffic-related accident, you should always discuss the possibility of a legal claim with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Missouri law gives a strict time limit2 to file a claim, so you should not delay in seeking legal assistance. At The Bruning Law Firm, we proudly serve the St. Louis area and work to protect the rights of injured individuals and hold negligent parties liable. Please call our office today at 314-735-8100 for a free consultation.

LET US GET STARTED ON YOUR ST. LOUIS CAR ACCIDENT CASE TODAY

If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured in an auto accident, contact The Bruning Law Firm today. We provide the comprehensive, professional legal representation you deserve at a time when you need it most.

Call or contact our office online today to schedule a free consultation.

References:

  1. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service
  2. http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/stathtml/51600001201.HTML

A.J. Bruning

Founder

I was born and raised to represent individuals who have been needlessly injured. I mean that literally. At a young age my father would tell me about the clients he was representing. I would meet them and take pride in their admiration of my father. I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer and represent clients that needed my help.

Author's Bio

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