Champaign, IL Truck Accident Lawyer for Driver Fatigue

Attorneys for Semi-Trailer Truck Crashes Caused by Drowsy Drivers in Springfield, Bloomington, and Decatur

Collisions between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles can be very dangerous. Because tractor-trailer trucks are so much larger and heavier than other vehicles, drivers and passengers are likely to suffer serious injuries in a truck accident. If you or someone you love has been injured in a semi-truck accident, you will want to find out who was responsible for the collision and whether truck driver fatigue may have led to the crash. A skilled personal injury lawyer can investigate your accident and help you understand your legal options.

The attorneys of Kanoski Bresney have been working with injury victims for over 40 years, and we have represented clients in a wide variety of cases involving truck accidents and other motor vehicle collisions. We have helped our clients receive a total of more than $550 million, and we are always ready to stand up to large insurance companies and trucking corporations. We will do everything we can to make sure you are fully repaid for the injuries suffered in a truck accident.

The Dangers of Truck Driver Fatigue

Driving a commercial truck is not an easy job. Drivers are required to spend long amounts of time behind the wheel while also paying close attention to the complex systems of a semi-trailer truck and making sure they are driving in a way that protects the safety of others on the road. When working long hours while dealing with these high levels of stress, it is understandable for a driver to become tired. However, continuing to drive while fatigued can be incredibly dangerous, and it greatly increases the chances of a truck accident. Studies have found that driver fatigue is a factor in 13% of all truck accidents.

Driving while drowsy can be very dangerous, and staying awake for long periods of time can affect a person in some of the same ways as drinking alcohol. In fact, studies have shown that staying awake for 18 hours is the same as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .05%, and going 24 hours without sleep is equivalent to a BAC of .10%. While the long hours that truck drivers spend on the road can lead to fatigue on their own, these problems may become even worse if a driver becomes drowsy after using prescription or over-the-counter medications or if they use illegal drugs to help themselves stay awake.

To address concerns about driver fatigue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has placed strict limits on the number of hours a truck driver can spend on the road. Drivers cannot work for more than 14 hours in a row, and during this time, they cannot drive for more than 11 hours. After a 14-hour period of work, a driver must have at least 10 hours off-duty before they can drive a commercial vehicle again. Truck drivers must also take a 30-minute break after driving for eight hours in a row. Finally, truck drivers cannot drive more than 60 hours in a seven-day period or 70 hours in an eight-day period.

The trucking industry's profits depend on the ability to deliver goods as quickly as possible, so these companies will often encourage their drivers to bend or break the rules and drive for longer than is safe. In truck accident cases, our attorneys can help uncover evidence to show that a driver exceeded their limits for hours of service, including driving logs, receipts for gas or tolls, security camera footage, and records showing when a truck was loaded or unloaded. We will help determine whether a company's practices encouraged unsafe driving, and we will work to hold truck drivers and their employers responsible for the injuries they have caused.

Contact Our Peoria Truck Accident Attorneys

At Kanoski Bresney, we know how a truck accident can affect a victim and their family, and we are dedicated to helping our clients receive payments that address the injuries they have suffered. When you work with us, we will make sure you receive the respect, response, and results you deserve. Contact us and schedule a free consultation by calling 888-U-COUNT-2 or 888-826-8682. We assist with truck accident cases in Illinois, including Sangamon County, Decatur, Pekin, Champaign County, Macon County, Schuyler County, McDonough County, Peoria, Champaign, Bloomington, Peoria County, Springfield, Tazewell County, Adams County, McLean County, Rushville, and Quincy.