When you share the road with an 80,000-pound commercial truck, you are placing your trust in the driver’s ability to operate that massive machine safely. However, when that driver has been behind the wheel for too many hours without adequate rest, that trust can be shattered.
Hours of service rules are designed to ensure that truckers are alert enough to drive safely—when these regulations are violated, delayed reaction time, impaired judgment, and reduced alertness can transform a routine journey into a potential tragedy.
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a fatigued truck driver, a Milwaukee truck accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Federal Hours of Service Regulations Explained
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established hours of service regulations to prevent truck accidents that occur as a result of drowsy driving. While exceptions exist, the vast majority of commercial drivers and their employers must follow these federal safety standards.
Under current regulations, property-hauling truckers are required to adhere to these limits:
- They can drive for a maximum of 11 hours, but only after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- They cannot operate their vehicles beyond 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty, regardless of any breaks taken during that period.
- They must take a 30-minute break once they have been behind the wheel for eight cumulative hours without interruption.
- They cannot drive after accumulating 60 hours of duty time over seven consecutive days, or 70 hours over eight consecutive days. To reset this cycle, they must take at least 34 consecutive hours off duty.
How Driver Fatigue Contributes to Truck Accidents in Wisconsin
When truckers exceed hours of service limits, they can easily become fatigued and enter a dangerous state similar to driving under the influence. Fatigue dramatically impairs reaction times, judgment, and overall driving performance, which can cause a driver to make critical errors that lead to collisions.
Tired truckers often miss exits, ignore traffic signals, and engage in erratic behaviors like tailgating or unsafe lane changes. When this happens, other drivers have little time to react or avoid a collision. The size and weight of commercial trucks make these accidents especially dangerous.
Liability for Truckers and Companies That Pressure Drivers
If you were injured in a truck accident and suspect that hours of service violations contributed to your collision, you may be entitled to financial compensation. You have the right to file a lawsuit against the party responsible for your accident—which is often the driver or the company that employed them.
Individual truck drivers can be held liable when they knowingly violate these regulations and drive while fatigued. However, trucking companies also bear responsibility when they create unrealistic delivery schedules, fail to monitor driver compliance with federal regulations, or actively pressure drivers to exceed safe driving limits.
Proving hours of service violations can be complex, requiring substantial evidence that is often in the possession of trucking companies and drivers.
A Wisconsin truck accident attorney can help you obtain critical records like electronic logging device data, dispatch communications, and company policies that may reveal violations and strengthen your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer at Cannon & Dunphy S.C.
When truckers push beyond federal hour limits, catastrophic accidents follow. If you were injured in an accident caused by hours-of-service violations, trust Cannon & Dunphy S.C. to secure the justice you deserve.
Contact us today at (262) 668-8884 for your free consultation—our Wisconsin truck accident lawyers will not rest until you recover fair compensation.