Motor vehicle collisions can occur for a multitude of different reasons. In some cases, distraction caused by eating at the wheel or texting while driving is to blame for a wreck. Other people choose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Excessive speed, failure to use turn signals and a host of other decisions can potentially increase the likelihood of a crash and lead to liability for one of the motorists involved. Typically, those who operate commercial vehicles like semi-trucks have extra training and more experience on the road. Experience and specialized training can decrease the likelihood of a professional causing a life-altering collision.
However, certain factors that may be partially outside of their control could increase the risk of a commercial motorist causing a crash. Fatigue or exhaustion is a serious safety concern for those who drive for a living.
Regulations can only go so far
Technically, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has already enacted rules intended to protect people from fatigue-related commercial vehicle collisions. Specifically, the FMCSA has adopted Hours of Service rules.
These rules limit how long a driver can be on the road on any given day or over the course of a week. They mandate breaks as a way of preventing exhaustion-related crashes. Unfortunately, many commercial transportation companies impose such strict requirements on drivers that they feel the need to violate those rules to get a load in on time.
Other times, drivers may do their best to comply with Hours of Service rules, but they may not get enough rest. Hours of Service rules do not take the commute to and from work into consideration. Employers scheduling drivers generally don’t consider their home responsibilities or health challenges.
Especially in scenarios where drivers are on the road for the maximum amount of time allowed per week or per shift, fatigue may catch up with them by the end of each shift. Drivers experiencing fatigue have difficulty staying awake and paying attention. They have longer reaction times and decreased decision-making ability. All of those factors and the risk of falling asleep at the wheel can lead to preventable commercial vehicle collisions.
Reviewing drive time records and company policy with a skilled legal team can help people determine if fatigue may have been one of the factors that contributed to a semi-truck collision. In cases where rule violations or poor company policies contribute to a wreck, litigation may be an option instead of just an insurance claim.