Claims for Hours of Service Violations

In an effort to keep exhausted drivers off the road, there are a number of laws in place to regulate the number of hours a truck driver can work. Unfortunately, many trucking companies and truck drivers blatantly disregard these regulations in an effort to improve the companies’ bottom line, and thereby putting the rest of us in danger. Due to their enormous size and weight, accidents involving 18-wheelers are almost always serious, making hours of service violations a serious risk to other drivers.

Consequences of Truck Driver Fatigue

Drivers of 18-wheelers have a legal responsibility to do what they can to protect other drivers on the road. When a truck driver is overworked, he or she may become overly tired and exhibit a number of dangerous driving behaviors, including:

• Failing to check their no-zones before changing lanes
• Swerving in and out of lanes
• Failing to obey traffic signals or signs
• Not stopping in time behind another vehicle
• Failing to use headlights or turn signals
• Drifting
• Falling asleep at the wheel

When hours of service laws are broken, the resulting accident can leave victims with life-changing injuries, extensive medical bills, and lost wages. That being said, it is often necessary to take legal action against the responsible party to pursue the compensation that offsets the significant costs imposed upon victims after an accident.

Contact a Trucking Company Negligence Lawyer in Tennessee

If you or a loved one suffered an accident as a result of an overly fatigued truck driver, the Tennessee trucking company negligence attorneys at Pohl & Berk, LLP, are ready to help you aggressively fight for the compensation you will need to deal with the pain and suffering associated with your accident. Call our offices today at 615-277-2765 to learn more.