When accidents are caused by truck driver fatigue, it means you may have a chance to get compensation for your losses from the tired driver or, potentially, the trucking company. After this kind of crash, you’ll need to report what happened, seek treatment for your injuries, and get in touch with a Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer.
An attorney can give you more information about what to do after a crash and build a claim that could allow you to make a full financial recovery. You do not have to try to navigate the legal process on your own after a collision.
What Happens When Truck Driver Fatigue Causes Accidents?
When a tired trucker causes a crash, it gives injury victims a chance to secure compensation from the liable party. Generally, in the immediate aftermath of a crash, the police and lawyers will investigate what happened while the crash victims seek medical care.
Injured individuals will need to go through the legal process in order to get compensation after a crash caused by fatigued driving. Generally, this process requires an attorney to show that:
- A trucker got behind the wheel while fatigued
- The trucker made a mistake or acted negligently while driving
- The trucker’s actions directly caused an accident
- The accident caused another person injuries and financial losses
You can learn more about the personal injury claims process and truck crashes by reaching out to a lawyer for help immediately after a crash.
What Happens to Truckers After They Cause a Crash While Fatigued?
If a truck driver causes an accident while fatigued, they may face an investigation into their actions. Legal professionals may review their logs to see if they exceeded federally mandated Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
It’s challenging to prove that someone was tired, but showing that a driver exceeded these limits could help establish their level of fatigue. Lawyers can also gather other evidence to establish the driver’s potentially dangerous actions by:
- Taking eyewitness statements
- Getting a copy of the police report
- Getting information from the truck’s black box data recorder
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
The evidence collected by an attorney can help to prove the trucker’s negligence, regardless of their level of fatigue.
Are Truckers Always Responsible for Crashes Caused by Fatigue?
Truckers do not always hold liability for crashes caused by fatigue. If they’re employed by a trucking company and the crash happened while they were on the job, the trucking company could be liable instead.
The company may also hold liability if a lawyer discovers that it attempted to force drivers to exceed HOS regulations or had unsafe expectations for drivers.
A lawyer can tell you more about liability for these crashes and explain what happens when accidents are caused by truck driver fatigue.
What Happens to Injury Victims After Crashes Caused by Trucker Fatigue?
What happens to injury victims after a collision will vary based on the circumstances surrounding the crash and the severity of the injuries caused by the collision. In general, truck accident victims will need to get immediate medical care for any injuries they sustained in the crash.
Individuals hurt in trucking crashes may have a chance to get compensation for their losses through two avenues, including:
Insurance Settlements
A personal injury lawyer can take charge of the insurance settlement negotiation process after a crash caused by fatigue. During this process, the insurance company will try to convince injury victims to accept subpar settlements. Lawyers can counter lowball offers and push back against unfair treatment.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer after a crash caused by a fatigued trucker, an attorney could help file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Filing a lawsuit means going through the court system to get compensation through a favorable verdict from the jury.
What Type of Compensation Is Available After Fatigued Driving Accidents?
After a fatigued trucker causes an accident, you may have a chance to secure compensation for all of your economic and non-economic losses. The liable party may have to pay for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, vehicle repairs, and other losses.
Call or text 800-602-5000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Talk to Us After an Accident Caused by a Fatigued Truck Driver
So, what happens when accidents are caused by truck driver fatigue? After these accidents, the trucker may have to cover the losses you face.
Our team at Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help with your injury claim after a trucking accident. We’ve helped injury victims secure over $250 million in compensation, and we can start assessing your losses right now. We believe in providing dedicated, personalized legal assistance to those who turn to us for help.
You can count on us to explain what you should do after a crash, answer your questions, and quickly investigate what happened so we can gather all relevant evidence. Find out more about how we can help by reaching out for a risk-free initial consultation.
