Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, often under pressure to meet tight delivery schedules. Federal and state rules known as hours-of-service regulations are in place to limit how long a driver can operate a truck before taking a break. Our Minneapolis, MN commercial truck accident lawyer knows that when these rules are ignored, drivers may become fatigued, and the risk of accidents increases. In Minnesota, truck crashes linked to driver fatigue can cause serious harm, making it important to understand how hours-of-service violations may affect your case. We offer free consultations, so call us today.
What Hours-Of-Service Rules Require
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the main hours-of-service rules that apply to most truck drivers. These rules limit the number of hours a driver can be on duty, how many hours they can drive in a row, and how much rest they must take between shifts. For example, most long-haul drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They must also take breaks during their shifts and cannot exceed 60 or 70 hours on duty over seven or eight consecutive days.
How Fatigue Impacts Driving
Driver fatigue can impair judgment, slow reaction times, and reduce awareness. A fatigued truck driver may drift between lanes, fail to notice traffic signals, or misjudge stopping distances. In severe cases, drivers may even fall asleep behind the wheel. Because large trucks require much longer stopping distances and carry more force in a crash, fatigue can have devastating consequences when accidents occur.
Common Causes Of Violations
Even though the rules are clear, violations still happen. Some drivers may push themselves to cover more miles and increase pay. Trucking companies may pressure drivers to meet delivery deadlines that do not allow enough rest. In other cases, drivers may simply fail to keep accurate logbooks or may falsify records to make it appear they followed the rules when they did not.
Proving Fatigue In A Claim
After a Minnesota truck accident, proving fatigue is not always simple. Evidence may come from driver logs, electronic logging devices (ELDs), GPS data, fuel receipts, or witness statements. If there are inconsistencies between the driver’s records and actual driving activity, this may suggest hours-of-service violations. Medical records or toxicology reports may also help show whether fatigue or other impairments contributed to the crash.
Who May Be Responsible
Both the driver and the trucking company may be liable when hours-of-service violations lead to an accident. If a company encouraged or allowed a driver to break the rules, they may share responsibility for the crash. This makes it important to look not only at the driver’s behavior but also at the company’s practices and policies.
Why Legal Help Matters
It is crucial that you get legal help following your trucking accident. Holding trucking companies and drivers accountable for hours-of-service violations requires careful investigation and review of records. At Johnston | Martineau PLLP, we can evaluate your case, identify signs of fatigue, and pursue claims against the responsible parties so you can focus on recovery. If you have been injured in a Minnesota truck accident and suspect driver fatigue may have played a role, you should take action quickly. Evidence can be lost or destroyed if too much time passes. We are available for your 24/7 with live call answering, so reach out to our team today. Contact us today to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you pursue fair compensation.
