Drowsy Driving and Commercial Vehicle Collisions in Odessa

According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, 13% of commercial motor vehicle drivers were fatigued when their crashes occurred. Fatigue, which is defined as mental or physical tiredness or weakness, is a leading cause of commercial vehicle accidents in the U.S. every year. Drowsy driving occurs when fatigued drivers continue driving past the point of exhaustion. If you’ve been involved in a commercial vehicle wreck in Odessa, Texas, you may be wondering if fatigue was a contributing factor.

Fortunately, our experts at Carabin Shaw are here to give you more information on drowsy driving and commercial vehicle collisions in Odessa. Read on to learn more about proving distracted driving, choosing among Odessa commercial vehicle accident attorneys, and more.

Fatigue has a huge impact on a person’s ability to drive safely; it diminishes reaction time, focus, and judgement, and decreases a driver’s situational awareness. According to our Odessa 18 wheeler accident lawyers, there are many factors that can contribute to driver fatigue. These include:

• A driver’s unwillingness to take breaks or pull over despite being tired
• Driving after drinking alcohol
• Unreasonable deadlines by trucking companies
• Certain medications
• Untreated sleep disorders
• And more

Fortunately, there are laws and regulations in place that are designed to prevent accidents due to drowsy driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires all commercial truck drivers to follow strict laws regarding hours of service (HOS). These laws mean that truck drivers must limit themselves to 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty. HOS regulations also govern the number of hours truckers may operate trucks within a week-long period, and the number of hours truckers may drive without taking a break.

Drowsy driving is a form of distracted driving—and distracted driving is negligence. Commercial vehicle drivers who are fatigued behind the wheel at the time of a crash may be held liable for the damages they cause, along with the trucking company who employs them. But how can driver fatigue be proven?

Qualified accident lawyers can help you prove driver fatigue through several different methods. First, your lawyer will perform a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding your wreck. They will analyze the truck driver’s log books, the truck’s electronic recording devices, and will find out whether or not the truck driver was abiding by HOS regulations regarding numbers of safe driving hours and breaks. If it is found that the truck driver was in fact exceeding the number of safe driving hours, your lawyer may be able to build a strong case that drowsy driving contributed to the crash.

Before you can prove drowsy driving, you must first hire a qualified attorney. But what should you look for when choosing among different accident attorneys serving Odessa, Texas? There are many factors you should look for in a lawyer, especially the following:

• Extensive experience handling commercial vehicle accidents in Odessa
• A large firm with the resources and staff to take on a massive trucking company
• A spotless disciplinary record with the state board
• Trial experience
• A winning track record
• Positive reviews from former clients
• A professional, courteous staff who respond promptly to inquiries

Here at Carabin Shaw, our team of accident attorneys serving Odessa, Texas meet all the above criteria and more. We have more than 200 years of combined legal experience, and we’re passionate about defending the legal rights of all accident victims. And we offer all our new clients a no cost, no obligation consultation.

So if you’re ready to schedule your free consultation with one of our qualified Odessa commercial vehicle accident attorneys, call our office serving Odessa, Texas at (432) 620-0544. Don’t wait—call today and learn what we can do for you.