Fatigued Truck Drivers Pose A Serious Safety Risk In Las Vegas
To safely operate a large commercial truck, a driver needs skill, care, and their full attention on the road. A trucker who is overly fatigued poses a danger to others. Fatigued driving has long been a major problem in the trucking industry. In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) estimates that fatigued driving is a factor in “30 to 40 percent of all heavy truck accidents.”
In recent years, federal regulators have implemented new safety rules to help reduce the risk of fatigued driving in the trucking industry. Though, it remains a problem. Within this blog post, our Las Vegas truck accident attorney provides an overview of the federal regulations designed to prevent fatigued driving and explains your rights if you are involved in a crash.
Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations Limit Driving Time for Truckers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) developed and implemented hours of service (HOS) limitations in an effort to reduce fatigued driving in the trucking industry. All commercial truckers and commercial trucking companies that operate in Nevada that are engaged in interstate commerce are required to comply with these safety rules. Here is an overview of the current limitations on driving time for truckers:
- A trucker cannot drive more than 11 hours in a 24-hour period;
- A trucker must take a minimum 30-minute break after 8 hours of consecutive driving; and
- A trucker is limited to working 60 hours in a seven-day period or 70 hours in an 8 day period.
A Fatigued Trucker Can Be Held Legally Liable for an Accident
Truck drivers and truck companies have a legal responsibility to ensure that they are operating in a reasonably safe manner. A trucker who is too fatigued to drive safely—regardless of how many hours they worked—should not be on the road at all. Fatigued driving is negligent driving. The trucker and truck company must be held liable for injuries caused by negligence.
Recovering Compensation After a Truck Accident in Las Vegas
A fully loaded big rig in Las Vegas can weigh as much as 40 tons. The incredible size of large commercial trucks makes them an inherent safety risk to everyone else on or near the road. A fatigued trucker—and their company—should be held accountable for an accident. Through a truck accident claim, injured victims can seek compensation for economic and intangible damages. You may be entitled to recover money damages for:
- Automobile repairs;
- Emergency room treatment;
- Medical bills and related costs;
- Long-term rehabilitative support;
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disability or physical disfigurement; and
- Wrongful death.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Las Vegas Truck Accident Attorney Today
At Cameron Law, our Las Vegas truck accident lawyer has the professional expertise and proven experience to handle fatigued trucker accident claims. If you or your loved one was seriously injured in a crash, we can help. Contact our legal team today to set up your free, no-commitment legal consultation. With an office in Las Vegas, we handle truck accident cases throughout Clark County, including in Henderson, North Las Vegas, Whitney, Winchester, and Sunrise Manor.
Source:
ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Pages/SS9502.aspx
