Commercial truck drivers tend to have a higher risk of driving while fatigued than other drivers. While driving drowsy is dangerous in any type of vehicle, the size and weight of these vehicles only compound the risks of a collision and the devastating damages that follow. In cases like these, the driver or the trucking company may hold liability for the accident.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of a fatigued truck driver, you may be able to hold them responsible. A Tampa fatigued truck driver accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can build a case to protect your legal rights. Contact us today to speak with a dedicated truck wreck attorney about your collision.
The Cause of Fatigued Driving in Truckers
Truck drivers often work long hours, especially at night. Driving on long stretches of highway for several consecutive hours is enough to make most drivers drowsy and inattentive. These long hours can lead to fatigued driving and accidents. To combat this, there are some federal guidelines in place that seek to limit truck drivers’ workload.
As the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) points out, there are several rules in place to prevent commercial truck drivers from getting behind the wheel without adequate rest. The FMCSA’s Interstate Truck Driver’s Guide to Hours of Service requires that commercial drivers and their employers are exact in their measurements of a driver’s hours of service. Violations of these service limitations bear enormous consequences for drivers and their companies.
Since the Tampa area is a hotspot for interstate commerce and regional transportation, large trucks are common on the highways. This increases the likelihood that a trucking accident can happen in this area at any time.
When a truck driver’s drowsiness leads to personal property damage, injury, or wrongful death, the victims deserve to hold the negligent party responsible. Our committed team of lawyers who take on fatigued truck driver accident cases in Tampa can fight for a just settlement that addresses the victims’ losses.
Other Factors in Truck Accidents with Fatigued Drivers
Some unique factors often make truck accidents worse than accidents with other motor vehicles. First, you have to account for the size of most commercial trucks. Since semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles transport large cargo, they weigh much more than the average vehicle. These weight and size differences can significantly increase the severity of accident injuries and damages.
Large commercial vehicles are also more vulnerable to hazardous conditions on the roads. When inclement weather or uneven surfaces combine with driver fatigue at the wheel, the results are often devastating. Fatigued drivers may temporarily lack the critical thinking and awareness that is necessary to safely operate a large truck, making these unsafe conditions even more dangerous.
If you were injured in an accident involving a fatigued truck driver, legal counsel can stand by your side to represent your interests. If you hire us, a Tampa fatigued truck driver accident attorney from Distasio Law Firm can investigate the scene of the accident to determine who was liable.
Our team will then fight for any forms of monetary compensation that you may qualify for to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
How Lawyers Help You Seek Justice After a Truck Accident
Experienced attorneys who handle fatigued driver collisions in Tampa can support your claim in a few key ways. To begin with, legal teams will investigate an incident by gathering thorough evidence. Many forms of evidence may play an important role in your case, including:
- Photos and videos.
- Eyewitness reports.
- Official police reports.
- Vehicle maintenance records.
As a proactive Tampa lawyer digs deeper into the circumstances surrounding your accident with a fatigued driver, they may also identify expert witnesses that can help verify your claim. Diligent attorneys from our firm will combine the information obtained in their investigation with a close look at any federal, state, and local laws that may apply to your situation.
You may be eligible to receive various forms of financial compensation after an accident with a fatigued truck driver. Possible damages you may be able to recover compensation for include the following:
- Medical transportation services
- Surgeries, tests, and medical exams
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Past and future medical bills
- Therapy and counseling services
- Property damage
The Statute of Limitations for Florida Truck Accident Lawsuits
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you have a window of up to two years after an incident that causes personal injury to take legal action. In wrongful death cases, this deadline is two years after the accident occurs. If you attempt to seek justice through the courts after this point, you will be unable to proceed, as the statute outlines.
While contacting a lawyer right after such a tragic incident may be the last thing on your mind, doing so may be beneficial. It can give a legal team time to build a case, value your damages, establish the liable parties, and seek to hold them accountable.
Contact a Tampa Fatigued Truck Driver Accident Attorney Today
Accidents involving fatigued truck drivers often bring many serious damages with them. Confronting the aftermath of such a massive accident is never easy on your own. A Tampa fatigued truck driver accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can advocate for your legal position while putting our experience to work for you.
Our team is passionate about the pursuit of justice, and we will fight to obtain any recoverable damages that you and your loved ones may be eligible for after a truck accident. Call us today for more information.
