Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Fatigue & Hours of Operation

On Behalf of | Sep 30, 2019 | Personal Injury, Semi Truck Accidents, Vehicle Accidents, Wrongful Death

In 2018, more than 1600 Montana crashes involved commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).  The most common cause of truck accidents is fatigue by overworked drivers.  These crashes have resulted in death, catastrophic injuries and immense damages to innocent people.

Truckers face many pressures such as strict delivery schedules to distribute goods across Montana and the United States.  Consequently, truckers often work long hours with continuous driving and in adverse driving conditions.  If adequate breaks and rest are not taken, truckers can become fatigued, in turn putting the safety of other motorists and the public at risk.

With the purpose of preventing accidents caused by truck driver fatigue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) governs the working hours of anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle in the United States.  The number of hours a truck driver may drive per day as well as the total number of hours the truck driver may work per week are limited by law.

Although the hours of service rules are put in place for the safety of individuals on the road, many truckers exceed the hours of service allowed in order to meet delivery deadlines or reach their destination sooner.

Both the truck driver and motor carrier have responsibilities to ensure that truck drivers do not exceed the hours of service regulations.  However, in some cases, motor carriers have encouraged drivers to exceed the hours of service allowed.  Whatever the reason, it is illegal to exceed the hours of service regulations imposed on truck drivers and doing so may result in catastrophic injuries to innocent people.

If you or someone you love is the victim of a crash caused by a semi-truck or bus driver, there will undoubtedly be many challenges in addition to physical injuries.  Facing trucking companies backed by huge insurance companies, law firms, and financial assets requires experienced attorneys advocating for you.  Paoli Law Firm has extensive experience in representing victims of semi-truck crashes and can navigate the legalities of crashes involving hours of service violations.  Call Paoli Law Firm to discuss your potential case at 406-542-3330.