St. Louis Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyer
The Midwest's Most Effective Injury Law Firm
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
- Last Modified:
- November 13, 2024
Truck drivers generally travel long distances and drive for several hours daily to transport goods and materials across the country. However, all that time spent behind the wheel can cause driver fatigue and compromise decision-making. When truck drivers suffer from fatigue, their response time to hazards on the road is slower, and they can potentially make crucial mistakes that lead to serious accidents.
Truck accidents are often catastrophic or even fatal. Surviving victims may suffer from debilitating physical injuries, financial hardships, and emotional distress resulting from a devastating big rig or 18-wheeler semi-truck crash. If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by a fatigued truck driver, you are not alone. The St. Louis truck driver fatigue accident lawyers at Brown & Crouppen can help you get the support and compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation for a free case evaluation today.
Use our legal checklist to learn what to do after an accident and understand key legal considerations for recovering financial compensation.
What Factors Affect Driver Fatigue?
Driver fatigue happens when a driver doesn’t get enough quality sleep, is completing a monotonous task, or disrupts their body’s natural sleep/wake cycle. According to the National Safety Council, fatigued driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Symptoms include:
- Lane drifting
- Slower reaction times
- Tunnel vision
- Nodding off for several seconds
- Poor driving decisions
- Jackknifing
These factors impact a truck driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely, which can lead to truck accidents. Victims and their families can take legal action and claim compensation for damages caused by these types of accidents.
Why Hire a Driver Fatigue Truck Accident Attorney?
If you don’t have experience in the legal field, filing a truck accident claim on your own can be overwhelming—especially while recovering from your injuries. Hiring a skilled truck accident lawyer specializing in driver fatigue crashes means you have a professional to advocate and fight on your behalf throughout the legal process. A truck driver fatigue accident lawyer will:
- Conduct a full investigation of what happened
- Collect and document crucial evidence for your case
- Counsel you throughout the process to help you make informed decisions
- Communicate with aggressive insurance companies
- Negotiate the maximum settlement for your damages
- Take your case to trial if the insurance companies deny a fair settlement amount
Truck accident injuries are often severe and affect victims in more ways than one. Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney will help you get the compensation you’re entitled to while you focus on your recovery.
How Brown & Crouppen Can Help
The trusted attorneys and legal professionals at Brown & Crouppen Law Firm are dedicated to helping victims recover after an accident. We have the resources, knowledge, and expertise to fight for our clients and their families to receive the maximum compensation for their losses.
If you were injured by a fatigued truck driver in St. Louis, you need the right legal team who understands local and state laws to win your case. As one of the most trusted names in truck accident representation in the Midwest, we are proud to have:
- Over 40 years of experience with personal injury cases
- More than $1 billion recovered in settlements and verdicts
- A team of 250 legal support staff and attorneys
- Extensive resources to help our clients and their families get the support they need
- Truck accident settlements that are 30 times more than the insurance company offers
- A strong presence in the community through our support of local nonprofit groups
Award-Winning Truck Accident Attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri
Several attorneys at the Brown & Crouppen Law Firm have been recognized for their outstanding service to clients and dedication to their practice. Their accolades include the following:
- Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars
- The National Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Personal Injury Lawyers”
- The National Trial Lawyers “Top 10 Trucking Lawyers”
- The National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40”
- Missouri Lawyers Media “Law Firm Leader”
- Missouri Lawyers Media Women’s Justice Awards “Litigation Practitioner Award”
Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.
Laws to Prevent Truck Driver Fatigue
To help prevent truck driver fatigue and accidents, lawmakers and regulators have enacted laws and issued rules designed to keep drivers rested and alert. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration applied restrictions on how long a truck driver can work in a given period, including the following rules:
- Truck drivers can drive a maximum of 70 hours per workweek
- Drivers who reach the 70-hour limit must rest for 34 consecutive hours before returning to work
- Truck drivers must take a 30-minute break during the first eight hours of work
- Truck drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours per day
- A truck driver’s workday cannot exceed 14 hours
In addition, updated hours of service regulations include the following:
- Exceptions to short-haul distances
- Expansion of driver hour limitations by two hours for adverse weather conditions
- On-duty time that is not behind the wheel counts towards the first eight hours that require a 30-minute break
- Modification to sleeper berth requirements
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also makes it illegal to force truck drivers to operate their vehicles if they are too sick or tired to drive safely. The law allows truck drivers to say if they have reached that limit and can no longer continue.
What Causes Truck Driver Fatigue?
Several things can contribute to truck driver fatigue. The most common culprits that cause fatigue in truck drivers include:
- Long working hours doing the same activity
- Disruptions in sleep patterns and natural circadian rhythms
- Not getting enough sleep at one time
- Driving after a large meal
- Poor health, including obesity
- Side effects of medications
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shared tips to prevent driver fatigue and enhance truck driver safety. Top recommendations include the following:
- Getting adequate sleep the night before a long drive
- Eating a healthy diet regularly
- Taking a nap if the driver feels drowsy
- Knowing and recognizing the signs of driver fatigue
Truck Driver Fatigue Statistics in Missouri
According to the Department of Public Safety Missouri State Highway Patrol, 2,658 crashes resulted from driver fatigue in Missouri in 2020. Of those accidents, 1,677 caused property damage. There were 1,245 physical injuries and 14 fatalities.
A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that 13 percent of all large truck crashes in the United States. The data also showed that 73 percent of large truck accidents involved collisions with at least one other vehicle.
Free Case Evaluation With St. Louis Truck Accident Attorneys
Truck accident victims need compassionate attorneys who understand the struggles resulting from these types of cases. At Brown & Crouppen, you and your family have the full support of our team, who will fight tirelessly to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
To learn more about how we can help you and what your claim may be worth, contact us to schedule a free consultation today. Our St. Louis trucking accident attorneys serve the greater metro area and surrounding areas including Brentwood, Central West End, Clayton, Downtown St. Louis, Ferguson, Forest Park Southeast, Frontenac, Grand Center, Kirkwood, Ladue, Lafayette Square, Midtown, Olivette, Pagedale, Richmond Heights, Shaw, Soulard, The Hill, Tower Grove, University City, and Webster Groves.
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