Dangers of Driver Fatigue: How a Car Accident Lawyer Proves Trucking Companies Are Accountable

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Traveling or relocating to San Diego?

The city of San Diego is popular for its vast freeway system and bustling port. As a result, the chances of truck crashes are prevalent and are an acute concern as well. The California Highway Patrol states that more than 7,200 truck crashes take place annually across the state. It results in almost 10,000 injuries and more than 300 fatalities. A huge chunk of these incidents stems from driver fatigue. And therefore, it becomes necessary for a car accident lawyer to hold the trucking companies accountable for this. 

Knowing the effects of driver fatigue 

Driver fatigue completely impairs reaction times, complete alertness, and decision-making capacities, which raises the chances of crashes. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) states that fatigue is one common factor that leads to 13% of truck crashes in San Diego and causes fatal injuries and property damage. It is necessary to opt for car accident legal help San Diego to make sure that the companies are held responsible and to arrive at a solution. 

Legal aspects for making trucking companies responsible 

The trucking companies are legally obligated to make sure that drivers rest well and are in complete focus when they are on duty. If they don’t keep these accountabilities, they will be held responsible for crashes that occur because of truck drivers’ fatigue. The expert truck crash lawyers make use of ample strategies for proving liability:

• Assessing ELDs (Electronic Logging Devices) – These devices keep track of a driver’s service hours. If a driver logs hours that differ from the hours actually spent driving, it is proof that they have violated rest provisions or regulations.

• Examining dispatch records – Discussions between dispatchers and drivers may uncover dispatching pressures to meet demands for unreasonable delivery times, which can lead to driver fatigue.
• Checking driver histories: A driver’s conduct, whether there are prior violations or complaints, shows a pattern of neglect. 

Finally, a car accident lawyer also evaluates the company policies. Policies trucking companies have in place for rest periods/times and scheduling can be analyzed to see if they foster or allow fatigued driving.

The complexities in fatigue-related truck crashes 

It can be difficult to show that fatigue was a cause of a truck accident. Impairments caused by fatigue, such as slow reaction times and tunnel vision, aren’t always readily available in the data. Additionally, trucking companies may rebut that fatigue did not cause the accident by mentioning that road conditions, mechanical failure, or other factors contributed to the event. Therefore, as many layers of evidence and expert opinion are important to demonstrate that fatigue caused the accident. To know more about how lawyers manage such cases, you can check out HHJtrialattorneys.com/. 

Therefore, if you are in San Diego and have faced a truck crash because of driver fatigue, it’s necessary to seek legal representation. Expert lawyers help in collecting and evaluating evidence, speaking with other legal experts, and moving through the challenges in trucking regulations. They help you to receive fair compensation, using which you can cover the lost wages and medical costs. 

Conclusion

Like any other city, even in San Diego, driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. When drivers are tired and lack focus, they can’t make the best driving decisions when faced with complex traffic congestion or poor road conditions. If you know about the legal revenues and the strategies required to prove accountability, you can get compensated and the justice too. Hence, it’s best to work in co-operation with a car accident lawyer who can guide you well. 

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.