Driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents in Oklahoma. When a trucker is too tired to focus, react quickly or safely control a vehicle weighing thousands of pounds, the consequences can be devastating. If you were involved in a truck accident, proving that driver fatigue contributed to the crash is essential to holding all the responsible parties liable.
Here’s how you can prove this and increase the chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Start with driver logs
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers. These rules limit how long a driver can be on duty or behind the wheel without rest. The law also requires electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track this.
Examining logbooks, ELD data and GPS records can help reveal whether the driver exceeded legal limits, and how long they’d been on the road before the crash. Footage from a dashcam or traffic surveillance cameras could also show the driver nodding or weaving, which points to fatigue.
Witness statements can also help
Eyewitness accounts can go a long way in proving driver fatigue. Perhaps a gas station attendant saw the driver struggling to stay awake or downing energy drinks in the early hours of the morning. Maybe someone overheard the driver mention how little sleep they’d gotten. Such seemingly minor yet crucial observations can help show that the driver was too tired in the lead-up to the crash.
Don’t overlook legal guidance
Proving fatigue isn’t as easy as it sounds. Trucking companies often fight hard to dodge liability. Building a solid case requires a thorough investigation of the crash and a clear understanding of federal trucking laws. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t wait to take action. Get early legal assistance to help uncover the truth and get justice.