How Can You Determine A Trucker Was Tired Before A Crash?

Virginia (VA) Truck Accident Injury Lawyers
Offices in VA Beach, Hampton & Elizabeth City, NC 

Thirteen percent of semi truck accidents are due to truck driver fatigue. Drivers fall asleep at the wheel or become less responsive to danger because driving longer hours and taking shorter breaks increases truck driver incomes. Trucker fatigue is also often blamed on the shippers instead of the truckers themselves - companies want their merchandise as soon as possible, and often pressure truck drivers to drive long after the conditions are safe. Trucker fatigue can also lead to prescription and non-prescription drug abuse among truck drivers - two habits that can also lead to serious injuries and highway accidents.

Even though there are a number of federal regulations to curb truck driver fatigue and lower the rate of truck accident injuries and truck-related fatalities, it is still a substantial problem that shatters the lives of many families across America each year. In fact, it is estimated by the US Department of Transportation that 8,000 large truck crashes a year are due to tired drivers.

One challenge to winning a truck driver fatigue case is proving that the driver was indeed tired and not fit to drive at the time of the accident, and that his sleepiness was the main cause of the accident. There are several way to do this:

• The driver may admit to being tired at the time of the accident - either to witnesses at the scene or to the police during the initial questioning.
• The driver may appear fatigued to police or witnesses, even if he does not admit that this is the reason for the accident. He might have bloodshot eyes. He might not be fully alert.
• A review of the driver's road log could add insight into whether or not he was fit to drive at the time of the accident. The Motor Carrier Safety Regulations permit only a certain number of hours of active duty in a certain time span before the driver should be off the road for safety reasons.

If you think that the truck driver that caused your car accident was suffering from fatigue, you should call a knowledgeable and specialized lawyer immediately. Proving fatigue often means connecting and analyzing a wide range of sources - including the driver's log, the truck's maintenance records, the driver's history, and the witness reports. Only a lawyer will be able to accurately tell you if your case holds enough water for recovery.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car,truck,railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

How can you identify a top Virginia injury lawyer for your case? Look no further.

Our Virginia personal injury lawyers have been selected for many accolades.

Two of the VA injury attorneys with our firm, James Lewis and Rick Shapiro, have been named among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Lewis and Shapiro have also selected for inclusion in the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Leiws and Shappiro, along with attorney John C. have been recognized as Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010.

Ours was the first personal injury firm in Virginia invited to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Rick Shapiro was named as one of the Top 100 Injury Lawyers in Virginia by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

In October, 2000 our law firm and co-counsel obtained what was then the largest verdict in Virginia's history for an injured person. Our brain-damaged client received an initial award of $46 million that increased to $60 million with interest compounded while the defendant pursued a failed appeal, and was confidentially settled during the appeal.

 

Geographical Areas

Our lawyers handle personal injury cases throughout the eastern United States and work closely with lawyers in other states on signficant injury cases.

In Virginia, we are prepared to counsel and represent injury and wrongful death victims in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, Richmond, Petersburg, Roanoke, Salem, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Ashland, Big Stone Gap and all of the Eastern Shore, including the towns of Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague and Wallops Island.

For clients in West Virginia (WV), we are happy to consider personal injury claims from residents of Bluefield, Beckley, Bridgeport, Charles Town, Charleston, Fairmont, Huntington, Lewisburg, Madison, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Moundsville, Parkersburg, Ripley, Sutton, Weirton, Wheeling and any other town or county.

Attorneys with Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton hold licenses to practice in VA, WV, North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Kentucky (KY), Florida (FL) and Washington, DC.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling truck wreck cases. Check out our truck accident case results and our free consumer guide on what to do if you get involved in an accident with a commercial truck.

We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Newport News, VA, if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Jim and Rick have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers receive this honor.

In addition, our VA injury law firm was the first in the commonwealth to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms, and we have the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization. The rating indicates we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer a free initial confidential consultations. Call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a message so we can get back to you.