A truck accident involving a sleepy truck driver can instantly change your life. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident drowsy driving crash, you need a fatigued driver truck accident lawyer to fight for you. At Parker Trial Law, we seek to help the injured recover compensation from those responsible after a truck drowsy driving accident in Dothan. From medical bills to pain and suffering, we understand the importance of helping you recover the funds needed to restore your life.
A study from the American Automobile Association (AAA) found that drowsy driving is a severely underreported factor in car accidents. In fact, the actual numbers may be as many as eight times higher than official estimates. If a sleepy truck driver caused your accident, we can help hold them accountable for their actions. Contact Parker Trial Law today for a free consultation.
How a Dothan Drowsy Driving Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Trucking companies and insurers often deny responsibility, making it difficult for truck accident victims to get fair compensation. Our Dothan truck accident lawyers know how to prove drowsy driving in trucking accidents and fight for the compensation you deserve. Since 2016, our award-winning legal team has won millions for injured victims, including:
- $2,000,000+ for a bicyclist struck by a van
- $1,460,000 for a semi-truck wreck in federal court
- $875,000 for a motor vehicle accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury
At Parker Trial Law, we work closely with our clients and treat them like family. Some of them are kind enough to share their experience on our website, like these recent testimonials:
- “Wonderful attorneys who work hard for their clients. Support staff is excellent at answering questions. This is a great firm to have on your side.” Anneliese W.
- “I would definitely recommend them to anyone in need of a personal injury lawyer. They genuinely care about their clients and work hard to ensure the best possible outcome.” Tamia B.
How We Help After a Truck Crash
The last thing you need after a truck drowsy driving accident is to argue with insurance companies, search for medical records, or spend hours trying to understand Alabama’s legal framework. Working with a skilled truck accident lawyer is crucial so you have the legal support you need during this challenging time. While you focus on recovering, Parker Trial Law attorneys can:
- Request trucking records and logbooks to determine if the driver exceeded legal driving hours of service
- Analyze the truck’s black box data to determine speed and braking patterns before the crash
- Review evidence and consult with accident reconstruction experts to establish how drowsy driving contributed to the accident
- Negotiate aggressively with insurers for maximum compensation
- Take cases to trial when necessary if the insurance company won’t play fair
At Parker Trial Law, we strive to make sure those responsible for Dothan, Alabama truck accidents are held accountable for the harm they cause. Contact us today for help with your negligent driving truck accident case.
How Drowsy Driving Contributes to Truck Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that driver fatigue is one of the top three causes of commercial truck accidents, along with speeding and intoxication. Drowsy driving impairs a truck driver’s ability to react and make safe decisions due to:
- Increased Risk of Crossing Lanes or Going Off Road – Driving while drowsy reduces awareness, increasing the risk of veering into another vehicle or onto the shoulder. As a result, there is a greater risk of head-on collisions and sideswipe crashes.
- Slowed Reaction Time – Being sleepy when driving can slow reaction times and make it more difficult to make quick decisions to avoid an accident.
- Microsleeps Causing Loss of Control – Falling asleep while driving for just a few seconds, known as microsleep, is enough to cause a devastating crash.
At Parker Trial Law, we have extensive experience handling truck accident cases. We know the evidence to look for to prove negligence. Contact us today to get started with your free consultation.
Common Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue
Many truckers often work long hours under intense pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines. It is little wonder that these behaviors lead to the most common causes of driving fatigue, including:
- Ignoring Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations – Some truck drivers exceed legal limits to complete deliveries on a punishing schedule.
- Feeling Pressure from Trucking Companies – Many trucking companies push drivers relentlessly to meet quotas.
- Driving Overnight Hours – The body naturally craves rest at night, which increases the risk of falling asleep while behind the wheel.
- Suffering Sleep Disorders – Long driving shifts may lead to undiagnosed conditions that increase driving while drowsy episodes, such as sleep apnea.
- Using Stimulants – Highly caffeinated drinks, over-the-counter stimulants, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs may temporarily help drivers stay awake, but eventually, they might succumb to falling asleep at the wheel.
State and Federal Regulations Related to Truck Driver Hours
There are state and federal laws in place to help prevent accidents involving drowsy drivers, but they are only effective when drivers and companies adhere to them.
Alabama follows federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to prevent driving fatigue and reduce drowsy driving in trucking accidents. These laws establish strict limits on how long commercial truck drivers can operate their vehicles before taking breaks and include the following:
- Maximum Driving Hours – Truckers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- On-Duty Time Limits – Drivers cannot drive after 14 hours on duty, even if they took breaks within that time.
- Mandatory Rest Breaks – Drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight consecutive hours of driving to stay alert.
- Weekly Driving Limits – Truck drivers cannot exceed 60 hours on duty within a seven-day period or 70 hours within an eight-day period.
Our personal injury lawyers in Dothan can launch an immediate investigation, visit the accident scene, gather evidence to help establish how the crash occurred, and fight relentlessly to ensure that the parties liable for your accident are held responsible for the full extent of your damages.
We Can Help Fight for Fair Compensation
Victims of truck drowsy driving accidents in Dothan often face overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and lasting pain. Our Dothan truck accident lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies to maximize compensation for:
- Medical Expenses – Emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and future medical costs
- Lost Wages – Missed workdays and reduced earning capacity
- Property Damage – Repair or replace your vehicle
- Pain and Suffering – Emotional and physical distress
We won’t settle for a lowball offer and can take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to pay a fair settlement.
Contact Us for a Free Case Review
Since 2016, Parker Trial Law has represented injured victims in jury trials to pursue compensation from those responsible for their injuries. We focus on serious injury and civil law cases in state and federal courts across Alabama, Georgia, and nationally. We build long-term relationships because we care about your future. If you or someone you love was injured in a drowsy driver truck accident in Dothan, our experienced attorneys are ready to help. Contact Parker Trial Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
