How Driver Fatigue Leads to Accidents in San Antonio

Driver fatigue sometimes leads to road accidents. In San Antonio, where bustling highways meet demanding trucking schedules, the risk of errors caused by drowsy drivers is a serious concern. Understanding your rights and options is crucial if you or your loved one has been involved in a truck accident.

This guide provides essential information about driver fatigue, its causes, legal implications and how San Antonio truck accident attorneys can help you navigate this challenging situation. Learn how to protect your rights and seek compensation.

Understanding Driver Fatigue in San Antonio

Driver fatigue is a state of reduced alertness and impaired performance. It may be caused by prolonged periods of driving, insufficient rest or other factors that lead to sleepiness or exhaustion, and can significantly increase the risk of accidents. Research shows that about 1.16 million drivers in the United States fall asleep while driving each month, contributing to an estimated 40% of all highway crashes.

While Texas has yet to implement legislation that specifically addresses drowsy driving, fatigued drivers who cause accidents may be liable for negligence in a civil action. Negligence generally occurs when a person breaches their duty of care, resulting in harm to another person. Therefore, if a driver fails to rest, such that their performance is impaired, leading to an accident, that driver might face legal consequences.

What Are the Causes of Driver Fatigue in San Antonio?

Various factors can cause or contribute to driver fatigue, including the following:

Long working hours: Some commercial drivers, like truck drivers, work long hours. The challenge arises when they are pressured to meet deadlines, leading to violations of hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.
Inadequate sleep: Drivers should get enough sleep before getting on the road. Sufficient rest can improve sharpness and awareness.
Poor sleep quality: Some drivers rest, but the sleep quality might still be poor. This phenomenon can be counterproductive, as it leaves them feeling unrested.
Long commutes: Long commutes are common in many parts of the country, including Texas. Driving long distances without breaks can contribute to driver fatigue.
Medications: Some medications, including those for colds, allergies and some prescription drugs, can cause drowsiness.

Knowing these causes is crucial, but paying attention to the physical and behavioral indicators is also important. The physical indicators include yawning, blurred vision, slowed reaction and physical discomfort like backaches and neck stiffness. Behavioral indicators of driver fatigue include decreased awareness, restlessness, irritability and disconnected thoughts.

How Driver Fatigue Leads to Accidents in San Antonio

Driver fatigue can cause cognitive or physical impairments, leading to driver errors. Below is a breakdown to help you understand its implications:

1. COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Fatigue may affect cognitive functions, which are essential for safe driving. Cognitive impairment can lead to the following:

Reduced attention: Fatigued drivers may have difficulty focusing on the road or their surroundings, causing them to miss important cues, like traffic signals or pedestrians.
Impaired judgment: Cognitive impairment may result in poor decision-making abilities. Drivers may misjudge distances, speed or gaps in traffic.
Slower reaction time: Some fatigued drivers have delayed responses to unexpected events, like sudden braking or a vehicle entering the lane.
Decreased vigilance: Reduced ability to maintain alertness over a prolonged period may cause drivers to become complacent or inattentive.
Memory lapses: Drivers may have challenges remembering recent events or actions, such as the last few miles driven.

2. PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT

Fatigue may also affect physical abilities, resulting in the following:

Reduced coordination: Fatigued drivers may have difficulty controlling the vehicle, such as steering or braking smoothly.
Heavy eyelids: Drivers may also have difficulty keeping their eyes open, leading to microsleeps. Microsleep is a brief, involuntary period of sleep.
Slower reflexes: Like cognitive impairment, physical impairment can reduce the driver’s ability to react quickly to hazards.

What Are the Hours of Service for Truck Drivers in San Antonio?

The Texas intrastate HOS rules require commercial drivers to have eight consecutive hours of off-duty time before starting a shift. After that, the driver can be on duty for 12 hours but cannot exceed 15 consecutive hours. Also, after being on duty for more than 70 hours in seven straight days, the driver must have at least 34 hours of rest.

Once the driver leaves Texas, they must comply with the federal HOS rules found in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 395. It allows property-carrying drivers to drive 11 hours after 10 hours off duty. Drivers have a 14-hour window to complete their driving and must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. Similarly, passenger-carrying drivers may drive for up to 10 hours after being off duty for 8 hours, and have a 15-hour on-duty window.

Who Is Liable for Driver Fatigue Accidents in San Antonio?

The fatigued driver may be solely or jointly and severally liable with others for accidents, depending on the circumstances. In Texas truck accident cases, joint and several liability means that if a plaintiff was partially responsible for an accident, their recovery award will be reduced by that amount. For example, if you are awarded $5,000 in damages but found 20% responsible, you will only receive $4,000. If a plaintiff is more than 50% responsible for an accident, they cannot receive damages at all. If a defendant is more than 50% responsible for the accident, they may be accountable for paying any damages a plaintiff can recover.

A driver who is an independent contractor may bear the full consequences of their unlawful actions. However, if the driver works for an employer, say a trucking company, the employer may also be held liable if their actions contributed to the driver’s fatigue and, consequently, the accident. Similarly, third parties, like other road users, may be liable for intentionally or negligently contributing to the accident.

Evidence plays a key role in establishing liability. The evidence can include data from the driver’s log or electronic logging device (ELD), company records, police reports, medical records, and witness or expert testimonies. If the claim is based on negligence, which is usually the case, the plaintiff or person bringing the action must demonstrate the existence of a duty of care, a breach of that duty, causation and resulting damages.

Prevention Strategies for Driver Fatigue in San Antonio

Considering the possible safety and legal implications, preventing or reducing driver fatigue is essential. Here are some helpful strategies:

Prioritize sleep: Ensure you have enough sleep while on the road. It is best to establish a sleep schedule and a relaxing bedtime routine.
Take regular breaks: Take breaks, get out of the car, stretch, and walk around. A short nap can significantly improve alertness.
Recognise fatigue symptoms: Be aware of signs like yawning and heavy eyelids. Some medications can also cause drowsiness, so it helps to seek professional medical advice.
Set realistic schedules: Employers must create schedules allowing drivers adequate rest. Avoid unrealistic deadlines that pressure drivers to violate HOS regulations.
Enforce HOS regulations: Monitor driver logs and take action against violations. It would also help to educate drivers about fatigue and prevention strategies.

How Thomas J. Henry Law Can Help

Thomas J. Henry Law provides legal assistance to accident victims in San Antonio. We investigate the accident by gathering evidence and identifying liable parties. Based on the findings, we may negotiate a settlement or file a claim in court, providing effective representation from start to finish.

Our experienced attorneys understand the complex local, state and federal regulations. We assess each case, considering the full extent of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and future losses. Our goal is to help clients recover the maximum compensation practically possible.

Why Trust Us?

Dealing with the aftermath of a driver fatigue accident in San Antonio can be challenging, but having legal assistance can help. The attorneys at Thomas J. Henry Law have years of experience in truck accident litigation and are familiar with Texas transportation laws and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. We also have skilled negotiators to assist with out-of-court settlements where necessary.

Our proven track record demonstrates our commitment to helping clients get compensation. We investigate and give each person a dedicated attorney to provide guidance. We have achieved favorable results for clients and won multiple awards serving the community.

Trust us to provide compassionate support and unwavering dedication to protecting your rights and achieving justice. Read our client testimonials to learn more.

Get Professional Legal Support Today

Have you encountered an accident in San Antonio and need urgent legal support? Thomas J. Henry Law is ready to help. We provide free, no-obligation consultation, meaning you only pay when we win the case. Contact us now to get started. Thomas J. Henry Law — the name you know, the firm you trust!