Truck drivers are under immense pressure when they are on the roads. They have to meet very tight deadlines and if they do not, they may even lose some of their profits. Truck drivers often stay on the roads longer than they should without getting proper rest to meet these tight deadlines, make more profit, and even maintain their employment status. This makes them extremely fatigued, and when truck drivers become tired, an accident is bound to happen. When it does, you need to contact a Fort Lauderdale truck driver fatigue lawyer who can help you file a claim for compensation.
Our Fort Lauderdale Truck Driver Fatigue Lawyer Explains the Risks of Driving Drowsy
Fatigued driving is so dangerous that it has been compared to drunk driving. Imagine if a driver operated a truck while they were impaired, and it is easy to see how dangerous it is to drive while tired. Fatigue will affect truck drivers in a number of ways, including:
- The driver may not be able to focus on the road and give it their full attention.
- The drivers’ judgment will be impaired, and they will make poor decisions.
- The driver will have a slowed reaction time and will not be able to respond to potential dangers immediately.
- A driver may fall asleep behind the wheel of a big rig.
In the worst of cases, a fatigued truck driver will completely lose control of their truck, which will result in devastating injuries. Speak with a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney for more information.
Our Fort Lauderdale Truck Driver Fatigue Lawyer Knows the Common Causes of Crashes
No one wants to drive when they are extremely tired, but truckers do it for a number of reasons. Our Fort Lauderdale injury attorneys note the main causes of fatigued truck drivers as:
- Medical conditions: A number of medical conditions can cause a trucker to become fatigued while behind the wheel. The most common of these include heart disease, kidney issues, sleep apnea, mental health disorders, and more.
- Hours of service violations: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has recognized that fatigued driving is a big problem on the roads in America, and as such, they have outlined strict rules about how long truckers can remain on the roads at one time. These rules also outline the number of breaks truckers must take and when they must be taken. Truckers that violate these rules are more likely to become fatigued and be involved in a crash.
- Medications: While medical issues can cause a trucker to become drowsy, so, too, can medications. These may be over-the-counter or prescription medications that list drowsiness as a side effect.
Regardless of the cause of the accident, drowsiness is never an excuse for truckers who become involved in a crash.
When Trucking Companies Are Responsible for Fatigue-Related Accidents
Most fatigue-related crashes are not just about one driver making a poor decision. Many times, the company behind the scenes has pushed that driver to the edge without enough rest or flexibility.
Unrealistic Dispatch Timelines and Route Expectations
Some companies build their schedules in a way that leaves no room for delays or breaks. Drivers are told to meet impossible deadlines or cover more ground than is reasonable, which often means skipping sleep or altering logbooks to stay on the road. Last-minute changes or delayed loading can add even more pressure, making it hard for drivers to keep up without cutting corners.
Failure to Monitor Hours or Enforce Rest Policies
Companies that do not track driving hours or ignore federal rest requirements create serious safety risks. When dispatchers encourage drivers to bend the rules under Florida Statutes § 768.096 or look the other way on breaks, it sets a dangerous tone.
This kind of work environment builds a history of fatigue, and that pattern puts both the driver and everyone else on the road in danger. We look closely at company practices to see how these expectations led to your crash.
Signs That Fatigue Played a Part in a Truck Crash
Fatigue is not something most drivers will admit to after a crash, which means it often has to be proven through patterns and details. We look for red flags that suggest the driver was tired, even if no one says it outright. Here are some of the signs we focus on when investigating a crash related to drowsy driving:
- Lack of skid marks at the scene (showing no attempt to brake)
- Crash occurred in the early morning or late at night, outside standard delivery hours
- Driver veered across lanes or off the road with no external trigger
- Logbook entries that conflict with toll, fuel, or GPS records
- Delivery schedule with back-to-back long hauls or overnight routes
- FMCSA violations for exceeding hours of service rules under 49 CFR § 395.3
- Driver reports hitting “something” but does not recall the event
- Eyewitness accounts of the truck drifting or weaving before the impact
These details help us show that fatigue likely played a role, even if the driver passed a test or said they felt fine. Our firm has experience piecing together timelines, statements, and expert analysis to bring the full picture into focus. When these patterns show up, we use them to hold the company responsible and challenge low settlement offers that miss what really happened.
When Driver Fatigue Causes Multi-Vehicle Highway Collisions
Fatigue-related crashes are especially dangerous on Florida highways, where traffic moves fast and lanes are packed. A single mistake from a tired driver can cause a ripple effect that reaches several other vehicles in seconds. The examples below show how quickly these situations turn serious and why they are so difficult to walk away from.
Rear-End Collisions Leading to Secondary Impacts
When a driver is exhausted, their reaction time slows down, making it harder to brake if traffic suddenly stops. On a highway, that delay can lead to a chain reaction where one crash becomes several. These pileups often involve smaller vehicles getting caught under a trailer or spun into other lanes, causing underride, rollover, or jackknife crashes that leave lasting damage.
Lane Drifting and Side-Impact Crashes
Fatigue also affects a driver’s ability to steer and stay centered in their lane. A drifting truck on a multi-lane road can clip another vehicle or force a car into a barrier. These kinds of crashes are especially dangerous when they happen at high speeds because the force of impact and number of vehicles involved can grow very quickly.
Call Our Truck Driver Fatigue Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Now
Fatigued driving causes more crashes on the roads than people realize, and when they occur, you can file a claim for compensation. At Rosen Injury Law, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers will determine the cause of your crash and help you file a claim so you receive maximum damages. Call us today at 954-787-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.