The whir of tires and the hum of an engine on an open highway can feel peaceful, even hypnotic. But in an instant, a truck can shatter that serenity. A massive truck swerves into your lane, its driver too exhausted to react in time. Was this preventable? Could the tired driver have been stopped? Unfortunately, truck driver fatigue is all too common on New York roads. At the Law Offices of Supriya Kichloo, P.C., we help those whose lives have been upended by accidents caused by truck driver fatigue. We ensure justice is within reach for victims like you.
Why Truck Driver Fatigue Is So Dangerous
Operating a commercial truck is physically and mentally taxing. Long hours, tight deadlines, and monotonous routes can lead to exhaustion—a silent but deadly threat on the road. According to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 13% of commercial truck drivers involved in crashes reported being fatigued at the time of the accident.
Fatigued drivers experience:
- Slower reaction times. A tired driver has dulled reflexes, significantly increasing the time it takes to react to unexpected events, like an animal crossing the road or another car stopping abruptly.
- Poor decision-making. Fatigue severely impairs cognitive function and judgment, making drivers more prone to risky decisions like speeding or making sudden lane changes without signaling.
- Decreased attention and caution. Sleep deprivation leads to brief episodes of unintentional sleep, lapses in concentration, and reduced alertness. This can cause drivers to miss crucial road signs, merging vehicles, pedestrians crossing the street, or cyclists sharing the road.
These factors combined can result in devastating accidents, putting the driver and other motorists on the road at risk. Truck drivers must prioritize rest and take breaks to prevent fatigue-related incidents effectively.
Real-Life Impact of Trucker Fatigue
Fatigue-related accidents don’t just cause property damage—they shatter lives. The aftermath of these preventable tragedies often leaves survivors grappling with the following:
- Life-altering physical injuries. The physical toll of these crashes can be devastating. Victims often face life-altering injuries such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and complex fractures, requiring extensive and ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.
- Profound emotional and psychological distress. The trauma of a serious accident can result in debilitating mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), affecting victims’ work, relationships, and quality of life.
- Crushing financial burdens. The combination of medical bills, lost wages from inability to work, rehabilitation costs, and the necessity for long-term care can lead to substantial financial challenges for victims and their families.
One victim’s story highlights this reality. In Khan v. MTA, our firm helped secure a life-changing settlement for a client injured in a collision with a fatigued driver. This case demonstrates that holding negligent parties accountable can bring closure and financial relief.
What Causes Truck Driver Fatigue?
Several factors contribute to this widespread issue, including:
- Long shifts and tight schedules. Trucking companies frequently pressure their drivers to meet strict delivery deadlines, often leading to violations.
- Irregular sleep patterns. Many drivers work overnight or early morning shifts, disrupting their natural sleep cycles.
- Unrealistic employer demands. Trucking companies may indirectly encourage drivers to push through exhaustion to maximize profits.
Proper oversight, compliance with state and federal regulations, and accountability can prevent fatigue in trucking.
Truck Driver Fatigue Laws in New York
New York enforces state and federal regulations to address trucker fatigue. The FMCSA’s hours of service (HOS) rules are the gold standard, requiring:
- 11-hour driving limit—drivers can operate their trucks for a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty;
- 14-hour workday limit—drivers must complete all driving and non-driving work within 14 consecutive hours; and
- Mandatory 30-minute break—drivers must take a break after eight hours of driving.
These truck driver fatigue laws aim to ensure truck drivers are well-rested and alert while on the road, ultimately improving safety for all motorists. Violations of these rules may result in penalties for both the driver and their employer, including fines of up to $16,000, revocation or suspension of a CDL license, and financial consequences of personal injury lawsuits.
New York Negligence Laws & Truck Accidents
Under New York negligence laws, victims of accidents caused by trucker fatigue can file a personal injury claim for compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the accident.
To succeed, the injured party must demonstrate:
- Duty of care—truck drivers owe a duty of care to other road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists;
- Breach of duty—the driver’s fatigue constitutes a breach of this duty;
- Causation—the fatigue directly caused the accident; and
- Damages—the accident resulted in quantifiable harm, such as medical bills or lost wages.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contacting our personal injury attorney can help you pursue the maximum recovery possible.
Why Should You Hire a New York Truck Accident Lawyer?
Truck accidents caused by fatigued drivers present significant legal challenges. You’ll face insurance adjusters who want to reduce your payout and trucking companies attempting to protect themselves from liability with their aggressive legal teams. An assertive and seasoned personal injury attorney is what you need.
At the Law Offices of Supriya Kichloo, P.C., we use tools like:
- Electronic logging devices (ELDs)—digital records track driving hours and break times;
- Employer records—dispatch logs and delivery schedules can reveal pressure to exceed legal limits;
- Witness testimony—passengers, other drivers, or even coworkers can provide statements that corroborate signs of fatigue; and
- Expert analysis—accident reconstruction specialists can demonstrate how fatigue likely contributed to the crash.
Our experience ensures thorough attention to detail, increasing your chances of securing compensation for your injuries.
Injured in a Truck Accident?
Every day that passes after an accident allows critical evidence to disappear and memories to fade. Don’t wait to seek the justice and compensation you deserve. With over a decade of dedicated experience, our firm blends empathetic client service with assertive legal advocacy to tell your story and protect your rights throughout the legal process.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation or complete our online contact form. Together, we’ll close this chapter and get you started on the rest of your life.
Resources:
- Fatigue Science, How Driver Fatigue Affects the 7 Key Fleet Safety Metrics, link.
- What is Driver Fatigue? Truck Safety Coalition, link.
- How to Manage Truck Driver Fatigue: Ensuring Safety Behind the Wheel. Intelex (2024), link.
- Fact Sheet on Truck Driver Hours-of-Service. U.S. Department of Transportation, link.
- Long Drive Ahead? Tips for Truckers to Stay Alert Behind the Wheel. New York State Department of Health (2011), link.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Electronic Logging Devices, link.