There are plenty of hazards that can lead to a motor vehicle crash, but few are more dangerous than tired or exhausted commercial truckers. Fatigued truck drivers in Iberville Parish accidents are often at fault in these collisions, given that the lack of sleep can negatively impact their ability to operate a vehicle safely.
When you were hurt in a severe wreck due to a tired trucker, now is the time to consider your legal options. A dedicated commercial vehicle attorney from Tomeny | Best may be able to help you recover financial compensation based on your physical injuries, financial losses, and emotional suffering.
Commercial Drivers and Mandatory Rests
The federal government heavily regulates many aspects of the trucking industry, including how much rest a driver gets while on the road. Truckers are generally limited to driving 11 hours a day. Once this threshold is met, they must take at least 10 hours off duty before driving again. During these long days, taking at least a 30-minute break without interruptions after driving for eight consecutive hours is necessary.
There are also weekly regulations to be aware of. A driver may not operate a vehicle after spending 60 or 70 hours on duty in the previous seven or eight days. To start a new seven or eight-day stretch, they must rest for at least 34 hours. Not following these guidelines in Iberville Parish could increase the risk of a fatigued trucker causing an accident.
Finding Evidence of Fatigue
It is not always easy to prove that fatigue caused a truck driver in Iberville Parish to crash. Even when the at-fault party refuses to admit it, an experienced attorney could identify crucial pieces of evidence that prove without question that rest requirements were ignored.
Driver Logs
Sometimes, the truck driver’s logs might work against them. If a trucker keeps careful notes of their stops and rests but fails to identify any breaks on the day of the crash, that could be useful in a lawsuit. Modern trucks might include black box technology that proves how long a vehicle was on the road.
Bill of Lading
Often, these cases are not so simple. The good news is that other evidence might show how long a truck driver was on the road. For example, reviewing the bill of lading could provide valuable details about when a driver’s day started. These documents reflect when and where a load was picked up. If it was more than 14 hours prior, this could be evidence that the driver is not compliant with federal law.
Receipts
Receipts can also pinpoint exactly where the truck was the previous day. With receipts for fuel or toll roads, it may be possible to piece together a timeline, especially if these records stretch well beyond the allowed 14-hour day.
Talk to an Iberville Parish Attorney About Your Fatigued Trucker Accident Today
If you were injured due to a fatigued truck driver in an Iberville Parish accident, you could have a strong compensation case. At Tomeny | Best, our team of attorneys is ready to help you get the most out of your case.
We are prepared to advocate for you on your behalf. Call today to learn more about your legal options during a free consultation.
