How Dangerous Is Drowsy Driving for Truckers?

Fatigue slows a driver’s reaction time, impairs judgment, and increases the risk of missing traffic signs, drifting into another lane, or falling asleep entirely. In the case of a fully loaded truck, these split-second mistakes become deadly.

Key facts about drowsy truck driving:

• A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
• Traveling at 70 mph, that truck covers over 100 feet per second.
• A moment of inattention or a few seconds of microsleep can cause a collision that destroys everything in its path.
• According to the FMCSA, 13% of truck drivers involved in crashes were fatigued at the time of the accident.
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that truckers who violated Hours of Service (HOS) rules were far more likely to admit they’d fallen asleep while driving in the past month.

Federal Hours of Service (HOS) Rules

To combat driver fatigue, the federal government enforces strict HOS regulations. These are designed to ensure that commercial truck drivers take adequate breaks and get rest between shifts.

Current regulations include:

• Maximum of 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-hour workday limit, including all driving and on-duty tasks
• 30-minute break required within the first 8 hours of driving
• Weekly maximum of 70 hours, with a mandatory 34-hour restart period

Violating these rules puts drivers, companies, and the public at risk. Yet many trucking companies pressure drivers to meet tight delivery windows and turn a blind eye to these limits.

How Do Fatigue-Related Truck Crashes Happen?

A fatigued truck driver can cause a serious crash without even realizing what happened. Common outcomes of drowsy truck driving include:

• Rear-end collisions due to delayed braking or complete failure to react
• Head-on crashes when a truck drifts into the opposite lane
• Run-off-road accidents from micro-sleeps or loss of focus
• Intersection collisions from misjudged timing or failure to stop
• Jackknife or rollover accidents due to late or panicked braking

These crashes are particularly deadly for occupants of smaller vehicles. In fatal truck accidents, over 80% of fatalities are passengers in other vehicles, not the truck itself.

Warning Signs of Fatigued Driving at the Time of the Crash

While truckers may try to deny they were too tired to drive, certain red flags point to drowsiness:

• Failure to brake or slow down before impact
• No evasive maneuvering or swerving
• Crash occurs late at night or early morning
• Long gaps in driver logs with no rest
• High-speed impact with no tire marks or braking evidence
• Witnesses report swerving or erratic behavior before crash

If these factors exist in your case, it’s a sign that fatigue may have played a role.

How We Investigate Fatigue in a Truck Accident

At LawyerPower, we know how to uncover the evidence that proves fatigue. Our legal team and investigators collect and analyze:

• Black box (EDR) data showing speed, braking behavior, and activity before impact
• Driver logs and time records to identify violations of HOS limits
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) where installed, providing precise activity timestamps
• Toll records, GPS data, and fuel receipts to map continuous driving periods
• Traffic and dash cam footage
• Witness statements
• Toxicology reports for drugs, alcohol, or stimulants
• Company dispatch logs and delivery schedules

This investigation must begin as soon as possible to prevent evidence from being lost or destroyed. Trucking companies have teams of lawyers and insurers working to shield themselves—we counter with facts and action.

Trucking Company Responsibility in Fatigue Cases

In many cases, the driver isn’t the only one at fault. The trucking company may have:

• Encouraged or demanded schedule adherence that violated HOS limits
• Failed to monitor or audit driver logbooks
• Ignored signs of exhaustion or health issues
• Failed to enforce use of Electronic Logging Devices
• Set unrealistic deadlines that incentivized skipping breaks

When companies put profit over safety, we hold them accountable.

What You Can Recover in a Fatigue-Related Truck Crash Claim

Victims of fatigue-related truck accidents often suffer life-altering injuries or lose loved ones. Our team helps clients pursue full compensation for:

• Medical expenses – including ER visits, surgeries, rehab, long-term care
• Lost wages – for time off work or permanent loss of income
• Pain and suffering – both physical and emotional
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages for surviving families

We work with doctors, financial experts, and accident specialists to determine the full scope of your damages and fight for every dollar you’re owed.

Why You Need a Charlotte Truck Accident Attorney

These aren’t simple car crash cases. Commercial truck accident claims involve:

• Federal trucking regulations
• Corporate legal teams
• Multiple potentially liable parties
• Complex medical and financial damages

You need a law firm that knows the trucking industry, understands fatigue liability, and won’t back down from big trucking companies.

At the LawyerPower Office of Mark Farbman, we build airtight cases and pursue justice through settlement or trial—whatever it takes.

We work on a contingency fee basis.

Call a Charlotte Fatigued Truck Driver Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one was injured in a truck crash caused by a drowsy or overworked truck driver, don’t wait. Every day that passes risks losing the evidence needed to win your case.

Call (704) 542-1555 now or contact us online for your free consultation. Let us investigate. Let us fight. Let us get you justice.