Truck Driver Fatigue: A Hidden Danger on Georgia Roads
Truck drivers, often hailed as superheroes, form the backbone of our supply chain. They ensure the American public has food, supplies, and materials, but they are only human. Truck driver fatigue is common and a leading cause of truck accidents in Georgia.
Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers have seen firsthand the devastating impacts drowsy truck driving can have on motorists. If you get hurt in a crash and suspect driver fatigue played a role, here’s what you need to know to protect your rights and get justice.
How Fatigue Leads to Truck Accidents in Atlanta
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises that driving fatigued is a common cause of truck accidents throughout the country. It happens due to pressure to overschedule, skip breaks, falsify logbooks, and drive well beyond what federal law allows, putting every motorist in Georgia at risk.
Unfortunately, being overly fatigued affects your driving abilities in much the same way as alcohol does. Drowsy driving truck accidents in Atlanta can happen anywhere, but are particularly common on busy highways like I-285, I-75, or I-20. Signs that fatigue may have contributed to a crash include:
- When erratic lane changes or drifting out of the lane cause a crash;
- Lack of skid marks, suggesting the driver never hit the brakes;
- Rollover truck accidents due to failure to maintain proper speed;
- Rear-end collisions caused by delayed braking or slowed reactions;
- Deadly head-on collisions due to falling asleep behind the wheel.
Georgia drowsy driving-related truck accidents often involve serious injuries or fatalities. Proving fatigue requires swift investigation and access to driver logs, black box data, and company records, which is why getting immediate legal help is so important.
Your Rights After an Atlanta Truck Accident Due To Drowsy Driving
Trucking companies are legally required to monitor driver compliance with federal Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules, limiting how long a driver can operate without rest. When truck driver fatigue is responsible or plays any role in Atlanta truck accidents, both the driver and the trucking company may be held liable under Georgia law. Here’s how you can protect your rights in a claim:
- Request a copy of the police report and note any signs of driver drowsiness.
- Preserve any dash cam footage or eyewitness statements.
- Demand electronic logging device (ELD) data, which tracks driving hours;
- Avoid making any statements to the truck company or insurers.
- Consult a lawyer who can subpoena employment records and HOS logs.
Our Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers Work Tirelessly To Protect Injured Victims and Their Loved Ones
Fatigued truck drivers pose serious risks throughout Georgia. If you or someone you love is hurt in an Atlanta truck accident and you suspect drowsy driving is responsible, contact Shiver Hamilton, LLC.
We know the devastating harm these crashes can cause and work tirelessly to help clients in Atlanta, Savannah, St. Simons Island, Decatur, Johns Creek, Marietta, Sandy Springs, and all of Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb Counties. Request a consultation today with our experienced Georgia truck accident lawyer.
Sources:
fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/driver-safety/cmv-driving-tips-driver-fatigue
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service
