Knoxville Car Crash Lawyers Hold Tired Drivers Accountable for Collisions
Strong advocacy for Tennessee victims of crashes caused by drowsy drivers
Every driver knows that when he/she starts to yawn or crave coffee, that it’s time to get off the road. Drivers should plan their journey so they don’t drive long hours without getting essential rest. At Banks and Jones, our Knoxville car crash lawyers understand how to prove driver fatigue is what caused your accident. Our lawyers understand the federal laws that regulate commercial truck drivers. We work with investigators and conduct extensive discovery to show a driver was on the road too long. When a tired driver causes someone to die, we bring wrongful death claims against the drivers and car owner for their irresponsible behavior.
The dangers of driving while fatigued
Drowsy drivers are deadly drivers. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), 693 people died in 2022 because of drowsy driving. In 2023, fatigued drivers caused 130 accidents in Knox County.
Drivers who are fatigued have the same flaws as distracted drivers:
- They are not able to physically respond to emergencies
- They are not concentrating on constantly changing traffic
- They are not visually looking at the road in front of them
Car, truck, motorcycle, bus, and all drivers should:
- Make sure they get seven to eight hours of sleep each night
- Avoid drinking and driving because alcohol contributes to drowsy driving
- Avoid driving if the driver needs to take medications which are known to cause drowsiness
- Understand that drinking coffee or high-energy drinks is only a short-term solution and not a long-term one
- At a minimum, pull off the road and take a nap until they feel refreshed
- Take frequent rest and eating breaks instead of driving several hours at a time
Teenage drivers are especially prone to thinking they can push their physical limits by driving long hours. The majority of fatigued driver crashes are accidents where a teenager was driving, according to Teendriversource.org
Driver fatigue regulations
The FMCA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) created rules to regulate driver fatigue for commercial truck drivers. Semi and large truck drivers often are pressured by their employers to drive long distances in short time frames. Many truck companies impose dangerous schedules. Drivers often push the limits of physical endurance so they can finish early and see their families.
To help protect the public and truck drivers, the FMCSA created the following requirements for large trucks. Drivers:
- Are only permitted to drive up to 11 hours in a work day
- Can only work (travel, loading, unloading, and other duties) up to 14 hours in a work day
- Are required to take a half-hour break after eight consecutive hours of work
- Are not permitted to drive more than 60/70 hours every seven/eight days – unless they rest for a full 34 hours
Commercial truck drivers are required to keep written logs of their journey, so their travel time can be verified. Some exceptions do apply.
While these laws only apply to commercial truck drivers, our Knoxville lawyers use them as a guide for all truck drivers and drivers of other vehicles. A violation of any of these regulations is a strong indicator that driver fatigue caused a loved one to die or caused your injuries.
Make the call to our trusted Knoxville lawyers now
It is very important that you contact Banks and Jones as soon as possible after any accident. This is especially true for accidents caused by driver fatigue. Our attorneys need to be able to review all the evidence before it’s lost, changed, or before memories worsen. We’re ready to fight to hold responsible drivers who put profit or personal affairs before your safety. We demand payment for your daily physical pain, emotional suffering, disfigurement, medical bills, lost wages – and for all your losses if a loved one tragically died. Please phone our attorneys now at 865-546-2141 or contact us. We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.
