A drowsy truck driver is an impaired truck driver and can cause serious, even fatal, accidents. How tired truck drivers cause accidents in Ocala, Florida, is simple: Being fatigued can make a trucker less likely to see hazards on the road—and less able to safely control or stop their truck in an emergency.
But the liability for an accident may not rest solely with the truck driver. Employers can put immense pressure on truckers to drive hours that are far too long. At Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, our Ocala truck accident lawyers can accurately determine liability for these crashes and uncover every dollar you may be owed in the aftermath. Contact us today at (352) 351-3258 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer.
How Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident in Ocala, FL
Truck accidents happen for various reasons in Ocala, Florida. You may not know whether the trucker involved in your crash was asleep at the wheel, distracted by a cell phone, or driving too quickly to meet a deadline. At Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, our Ocala personal injury attorneys have the resources necessary to investigate all of these details.
When you hire us, a few of the tasks you can expect our attorneys to do for you include:
- Gathering evidence to prove what happened
- Identifying all the people and companies who played a role in the crash
- Filing your claim for damages promptly and against the appropriate at-fault party
- Conducting the hard work of negotiating a fair settlement to your claim with the insurance companies and other parties
- Advocating for you and your interests at all times
Our team has over 100 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of people just like you throughout the Sunshine State. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Accident Statistics Related to Tired Truck Drivers in Ocala
Estimates suggest as many as 13% of all accidents involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) are caused by truck driver fatigue or drowsiness. In Ocala and surrounding Marion County, where 884 CMV crashes were reported in 2023, this means as many as 114 wrecks could have been avoided if the commercial driver was properly rested.
How Long Can Commercial Drivers Operate Their Vehicles In Florida?
Unlike private individuals driving personal vehicles, commercial drivers must follow federal regulations governing how long they can be behind the wheel of a CMV. These limits depend in part on whether the driver is transporting cargo or human passengers.
Generally, federal regulations prohibit commercial drivers from the following:
- Operating their CMV for more than eight consecutive hours without taking a 30-minute break
- Driving a CMV more than 11 hours without taking ten consecutive hours off duty
- Continuing to drive after being on duty for more than 14 consecutive hours
- Being on duty for more than 70 hours in a seven-day consecutive period or more than 80 hours in an eight-day consecutive period
Some limited exceptions can extend these limits during unusual circumstances, such as inclement weather or impassable roads that make driving impossible. Drivers who violate these rules can be forced off-duty and face other consequences to their driving privileges, including suspension or revocation.
Proving a Drowsy Trucker Caused Your Crash
Ocala truck accidents can happen suddenly, so you may not be able to see whether a driver was dozing off behind the wheel before a crash.
Gathering evidence of the trucker’s fatigued state requires an intensive investigation that searches out all available evidence, such as:
- Statements the driver made to others immediately after the crash
- The driver’s log book showing how long they were on duty
- The policies of the trucker’s employer and how those policies are enforced
- Any incentives the trucker may have had to disregard regulations and policies
- In-cab dash cam footage showing the driver’s actions immediately before the crash
These pieces of critical evidence can be difficult to obtain, which underscores the necessity of choosing an experienced lawyer to handle your injury claim.
Contact Our Ocala Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
In the aftermath of a commercial truck collision in Ocala, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you are facing a long recovery and mounting medical bills. But you do not have to face this challenging time on your own.
Our dedicated legal team can handle your claim at every step while you focus on your health, and we know what it takes to secure the compensation you need to move forward with confidence. Contact us to schedule your free consultation with an Ocala truck accident attorney.
