Hours-of-Service Violations Increase Risks Of Drowsy Driving Truck Accidents In Issaquah
Commercial truck drivers are often under pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines. That pressure can push some to drive longer than the law allows, increasing the chances of drowsy driving truck accidents in Issaquah.
Federal and state regulations aim to reduce the risks, but hours of service violations are common. Our experienced Issaquah truck accident attorney explains more about the problem and legal challenges injured victims and their families face when filing an injury claim.
Hours-of-Service Rules Reduce Issaquah Drowsy Driving Truck Accident Risks
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving while drowsy or overly fatigued is a common factor in motor vehicle crashes, particularly among truckers. It causes distraction and slower reaction times and increases accident risks, which can have devastating impacts on surrounding motorists.
To reduce the risks, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Washington State impose hours-of-service (HOS) rules to limit how long commercial drivers can operate their vehicles without rest. These rules help prevent fatigue-related crashes and apply to most long-haul and intrastate truck drivers:
- 11-Hour Driving Limit: Truckers can drive for a maximum of 11 hours after they have 10 consecutive hours off.
- 14-Hour On-Duty Limit: There’s a 14 driving window, during which the driver must make stops or rest breaks.
- 30-Minute Breaks: Truckers must take a 30-minute break after eight cumulative hours of driving.
- 60/70-Hour Weekly Limit: Drivers may not drive after 60 hours in seven days (or 70 hours in eight days), depending on the company’s schedule.
Truck drivers must also maintain logs, often electronically, tracking their driving time, rest periods, and duty status. However, these logs are frequently falsified or ignored.
Common Legal Challenges In Issaquah Drowsy Driving Truck Accident Claims
The Washington State Department of Transportation reports nearly 2,000 truck accidents in King County annually. Drowsy driving is a common factor in these crashes and increases the risks for motorists on the road.
When filing an accident claim, proving that trucker fatigue is responsible is rarely easy. Common legal challenges include:
- Obtaining logbook data, which may be altered or deleted without quick legal action.
- Accessing the electronic control module (ECM) or GPS records to verify driving time.
- Reconstructing the driver’s schedule to determine if they violated HOS limits.
- Proving company pressure or unrealistic schedules that encouraged drivers to cut corners.
- Navigating federal and state regulations, especially if multiple carriers or subcontractors are involved
Our experienced Issaquah truck accident attorney can help collect time-sensitive evidence, work with crash reconstruction experts, and identify all at-fault parties, including the driver, trucking company, or dispatcher who pushed for illegal driving hours.
Contact Our Experienced Issaquah Truck Accident Attorney Today
Drowsy driving is a common contributing factor when truck accidents in Issaquah happen. At Injury Law Group NW, we investigate hours-of-service violations, uncover unsafe driving practices, and fight for the compensation victims and their families need to recover.
To protect your rights, get the experienced, trusted legal representation needed to file a successful injury claim. Contact our Issaquah truck accident attorney today to request a consultation.
Sources:
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service
remoteapps.wsdot.wa.gov/highwaysafety/collision/data/portal/public/
