Commercial truck accidents cause catastrophic injuries that have devastating consequences for accident victims and their families. At FVF Law, our Austin truck accident lawyers are dedicated to helping injured people receive the compensation they need after a truck collision caused by a tired driver.
Our personal injury lawyers have over 80 years of combined legal experience. Attorneys on our legal team are recognized as members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition, several of our attorneys have been on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for multiple years.
Contact our Austin, Texas law office to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys at (512) 982-9328. We are focused on serving our clients by pursuing the parties who caused their injuries to hold them legally responsible for the damages our clients sustained.
How Can Our Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Help You With a Truck Accident Case?
Truck drivers are responsible for the safe operation of 80,000-pound vehicles. When they are tired, the risk of a truck accident increases. Passenger vehicles frequently cannot withstand the impact of a large semi-truck.
Our truck accident lawyers at FVF Law understand the risks tired and drowsy truck drivers pose to other people on the road. When tired truck drivers cause accidents, we are here to help the victims recover fair compensation for their damages. We protect our clients from the unfair practices used by insurance companies and trucking companies to avoid paying claims.
When you hire the legal team at FVF Law, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the truck crash to determine the cause
- Identify all parties responsible for damages
- File insurance claims and monitor those claims
- Calculate and monitor deadlines for filing claims and lawsuits
- Work with trucking industry authorities, accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, and other expert witnesses
- Document damages and calculate the value of your personal injury claim
- Negotiate fair compensation for your injuries and losses
- File a lawsuit and advocate for you in court if the other parties refuse to pay a fair settlement amount
At FVF Law, we do not leave anything to chance. Our legal team will work on every aspect of your case to ensure we pursue all legal avenues and options.
Call us today to schedule your free consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers in Austin, TX.
The Reasons Tired Truck Drivers Cause Collisions in Austin, Texas
Fatigue can impair driving ability.
The effects of being tired while driving include:
- Nodding off
- Making poor decisions
- Forgetting the last few miles driving
- Drifting from your lane
- Reduced reaction times
- Losing peripheral vision (tunnel vision)
- Episodes of microsleep (falling asleep for up to 30 seconds)
As many as one in five fatal traffic accidents involve driver fatigue. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that 13% of truck drivers were fatigued at the time of a truck crash. Causes of truck driver fatigue include extended work hours, lack of adequate sleep, and strenuous work.
Federal regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can operate a commercial truck without rest breaks. Unfortunately, the hours-of-service regulations do not adequately address tired truck drivers.
Truck drivers might be required to take breaks and rest periods, but they are not required to sleep. Furthermore, the restrictions on hours of service do not address issues such as sleep apnea, job stress, alcohol use, drug use, health conditions, and other causes of fatigue and drowsiness.
Unrealistic delivery schedules, the stress of driving a commercial truck in heavy traffic, and other pressures can cause truck drivers to be tired and drained behind the wheel. Sadly, the result is a catastrophic truck accident that severely injures or kills innocent victims.
Who Is Liable for Tired Truck Driver Accidents?
The law holds anyone whose negligence or wrongdoing contributes to the cause of a truck accident liable for damages. Therefore, the truck driver and trucking company can share liability for damages.
The injured party has the burden of proving that the party or parties:
- Owed a legal duty of care to the injured person
- Breached the legal duty of care through their actions or omissions
- The breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of the accident victim’s injuries
- The injured person sustained damages because of the breach of duty
Our Austin truck accident attorneys will work to gather evidence proving causation and fault to establish liability. Once we prove liability, we’ll demand full compensation for all damages.
What Damages Are Available for a Truck Accident Caused By a Tired Truck Driver in Austin, TX?
Economic and non-economic damages are included in a truck accident claim.
You can recover compensation for your:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Nursing care and personal care
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Disabilities, impairments, disfigurement, and scarring
- Mental and emotional distress and trauma
If you sustain permanent disabilities, you can receive compensation for future damages. Those damages can include diminished earning capacity, long-term nursing care, and the cost of ongoing medical treatment.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Austin Truck Accident Lawyers If a Tired Driver Caused a Collision
You do not have to handle your truck accident claim alone. You can have a legal team on your side to advocate for a fair settlement and ensure that you’re updated throughout the process. Contact our law office to schedule a free, no-pressure consultation with an experienced Austin personal injury attorney.
Other Truck Cases We Handle
- Tractor-trailer accidents
- Blind spot truck accidents
- Dump truck accidents
- Garbage truck accidents
- 18-wheeler accidents