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North Dakota Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyers
Helping truck accident victims in North Dakota get the compensation they need
Truck accidents are always serious, but when driver fatigue is involved, they can become even more dangerous. In North Dakota, long stretches of open highway and tight delivery schedules often lead truck drivers to push beyond their limits. Unfortunately, when a tired trucker is behind the wheel, the risk of a crash increases dramatically.
At Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we help victims of truck accidents caused by driver fatigue understand their rights and fight for the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident in North Dakota, our experienced attorneys are here to stand by your side and help you get the justice you need to heal and move forward.
How can we help?
- What is driver fatigue?
- Why is truck driver fatigue so common in North Dakota?
- What are the federal rules that limit truck driver hours?
- What are the signs a North Dakota truck accident was caused by fatigue?
- Who is responsible for a North Dakota fatigue-related truck accident?
- What is the value of my North Dakota fatigue-related truck accident?
- What should I do after a truck accident in North Dakota?
- Why choose our North Dakota truck driver fatigue accident lawyers?
- Do you have a North Dakota truck driver fatigue accident lawyer near me?
Free Case Evaluation
Call 701-484-4878 now or fill out the form above to receive a free confidential consultation.
What is driver fatigue?
Driver fatigue happens when a person is too tired to safely operate a vehicle. This can be caused by a lack of sleep, long hours on the road, stress, or even certain medications. Fatigue affects a driver’s ability to concentrate, slows reaction times, and can even cause someone to fall asleep at the wheel.
For truck drivers, fatigue is especially dangerous. Big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and they take longer to stop and are harder to control than regular passenger cars. When a truck driver is tired, the results can be catastrophic.
Why is truck driver fatigue so common in North Dakota?
Fatigue is a widespread issue in the trucking industry. Truck drivers often work long hours under strict deadlines. They might skip rest breaks or drive overnight to stay on schedule. Here are some of the most common reasons why truck drivers in North Dakota and across the country become fatigued.
- Truckers are paid to deliver goods quickly, which can encourage them to stay on the road longer than is safe. Even though there are federal laws that limit how many hours a truck driver can work, some companies and drivers break these rules to make more money or meet delivery deadlines.
- Driving at night goes against our natural sleep cycle. Our bodies are programmed to sleep when it’s dark. Truck drivers who work night shifts often suffer from a lack of sleep, leading to poor focus and drowsiness.
- Sleep apnea, a common condition among truck drivers, causes people to stop breathing briefly during sleep. This leads to poor-quality rest and serious fatigue. Some medications can also make drivers drowsy, even if they don’t realize it.
What are the federal rules that limit truck driver hours?
To reduce fatigue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has “Hours of Service” regulations. These laws are designed to make sure drivers get enough rest and reduce the number of fatigue-related crashes. Here are a few key FMCSA rules:
- A truck driver can drive for up to 11 hours, but only after taking 10 consecutive hours off.
- Drivers can't drive after being on duty for 14 hours, even if they haven’t driven the full 11 hours.
- Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
- Drivers can’t be on duty for more than 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.
Truckers are required to maintain electronic logging devices (ELDs). However, these logs are sometimes falsified or altered, especially when a driver is under pressure to meet a deadline.
What are the signs a North Dakota truck accident was caused by fatigue?
It can be hard to prove fatigue after an accident, especially if the truck driver doesn't admit to being tired. But there are some signs our legal team looks for when investigating a crash:
- The driver drifted into another lane or off the road before the crash
- No signs of braking before impact
- The accident happened late at night or early in the morning
- The driver’s logs show they broke Hours of Service rules
- Witnesses saw the truck swerving or driving erratically
- The driver admitted they were tired or had been driving for a long time
At Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we work with accident reconstruction experts and investigators to find out what really happened. If fatigue played a role in your crash, we can uncover the evidence and use it to build a strong case for compensation.
Who is responsible for a North Dakota fatigue-related truck accident?
A variety of parties might be held responsible for a truck accident caused by fatigue. Our North Dakota truck accident lawyers investigate all liable parties.
- If the truck driver ignored federal rest rules, skipped breaks, or fell asleep at the wheel, they can be held responsible for their negligence.
- The trucking company may be held liable if it encouraged drivers to work beyond the legal limits, failed to train drivers properly, didn’t monitor driver logs, or created unrealistic delivery deadlines.
- Sometimes, a shipping company or truck maintenance provider may have played a role in the accident. For example, if poor vehicle maintenance contributed to the crash, the mechanic or fleet manager might also be at fault.
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What is the value of my North Dakota fatigue-related truck accident?
Truck accident injuries are often severe, and victims may need months or even years to recover. In some cases, the injuries are permanent. If you were hurt because of a truck driver’s fatigue, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and therapy
- Lost wages, if you had to miss work or can’t work anymore
- Pain and suffering, which includes your physical pain and emotional distress
- Property damage, which is the cost to repair or replace your vehicle
- Loss of quality of life, if you’re no longer able to enjoy activities you used to do
- Wrongful death damages, if your loved one was killed in a crash
Our North Dakota truck accident lawyers will help calculate the full value of your losses and make sure the insurance companies don’t try to lowball your claim.
What should I do after a truck accident in North Dakota?
After a truck accident, your health and safety should be your most important priorities. Here’s what to do if you or someone you love has been involved in a crash:
- Call 911. Get emergency medical help and make sure the accident is reported to the police.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you feel okay, see a doctor. Some injuries take time to show symptoms.
- If you’re able, take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any damage.
- Get witness information. The names and contact details of people who saw the crash can help your case.
Then, contact our North Dakota truck accident fatigue lawyers. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can begin investigating and protecting your rights.
Why choose our North Dakota truck driver fatigue accident lawyers?
At Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we’ve spent years helping injured people across North Dakota. We know how devastating truck accidents can be, not just physically, but financially and emotionally too.
Our team has experience handling fatigue-related truck crash cases and understands the trucking industry’s rules and loopholes. We can handle the insurance companies, gather the evidence, and fight to get you the money you need to recover.
We offer free consultations and don’t charge any fees unless we win your case. Whether your accident happened in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks, or on a rural highway, we’re ready to help.
Do you have a North Dakota truck driver fatigue accident lawyer near me?
At Larson Law, our truck accident lawyers meet clients at our office locations in Minot, Bismarck, and Fargo. We can also make arrangements for video or phone consultations for clients who are too ill or injured to come to our offices.
North Dakota truck driver fatigue accident lawyers working for you
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue, don’t wait to take action. The trucking company and its insurer are already working to protect themselves. You need someone on your side who knows the law and will fight for your future. Call Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to help you get the compensation and justice you deserve. Let us help you put your life back together after a serious truck crash. Contact us to schedule your free initial consultation, or simply call our offices.