At Montlick & Associates, our Atlanta trucking accidents lawyers are well-versed in the danger posed by drivers that ignore restrictions on the maximum length of driving shifts, and mandatory rest periods called hours of service (HOS) rules.  Trucking companies can increase their profits by getting more loads delivered, which means completing trucking runs faster.  Trucking regulations impose very strict rules regarding the maximum number of hours that drivers may be on the road during a driving shift or weekly work period.  These regulations also mandate rest periods of minimum duration between daily and weekly driving periods.  While these regulations are designed to prevent trucking accidents caused by driver fatigue, many drivers disregard these rules or fail to get adequate rest between driving shifts.  Adults typically need 8-9 hours of sleep, but the average truck driver gets only about half that much sleep.

Truck drivers who are on the road while sleepy pose a completely unacceptable accident risk.  Driving any vehicle when sleepy can be dangerous, but tractor-trailers are inherently more dangerous.  Commercial trucks are longer, heavier and less responsive, which puts a premium on being alert and attentive when driving.  If a fatigued commercial driver injures you, many times it is possible to establish that the driver was sleepy or fatigued and/or violated mandatory rules regarding HOS rules.  Violations of HOS rules can be difficult to prove because it has been shown that drivers frequently manipulate the logbooks where they are supposed to record HOS data.  If you or someone close to you suffers serious injury, or you suffer the wrongful death of a loved one in an Atlanta trucking accident, contact the experienced Atlanta trucking accidents lawyers at Montlick and Associates for a free consultation at l 1-800-LAW-NEED.  Since 1984 we have been fighting hard to get accident victims the compensation they deserve.