How Is Truck Driver Fatigue Proven in Court?

You may have noticed how recklessly a truck driver was operating their commercial vehicle in the moments leading up to your unavoidable accident. With this, you may wonder whether they were even conscious of the actions they were taking. Well, the truth of the matter is that it is, unfortunately, very possible that the driver momentarily fell asleep behind the wheel. If so, please follow along to find out how to effectively support your argument of truck driver fatigue and how one of the proficient Monmouth County truck accident attorneys at Wilton Law Firm can help with your legal strategy.

Why is truck driver fatigue a leading cause of truck accidents?

Sadly, truck driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of commercial vehicle crashes. This is because, oftentimes, long-haul drivers feel the pressure of being held to tight delivery schedules and high demands from their employers to maximize their driving hours. Even though federal hours of service (HOS) laws are in place to prevent this exact thing from happening, sometimes negligent employers sidestep them, and drivers reluctantly fall into line for the sake of job security. 

Under these conditions, a drowsy driver may experience slow reaction times, impaired judgment, and most critically, a heightened possibility of falling asleep. Even if they close their eyes for a brief second, this is enough to prompt an unexpected collision. This is especially realistic if they are traveling at high speeds on a highway or driving during congested travel times. Plus, given the sheer mass of their commercial vehicle, the result may be life-altering injuries and damages for the victims. 

How can truck driver fatigue be proven before a New Jersey civil court?

Despite truck driver fatigue being a common occurrence, as the plaintiff of a personal injury claim, you still have to satisfy the burden of proof and establish that this condition applied to your specific accident event. Of course, you may wonder how it is possible to prove this, as it may be your word against theirs. Also, you may not have been able to confirm with your own eyes that they were sleeping in the seconds before your crash, due to obstructions or other driving distractions. Well, rest assured, your attorney can help you gather the following proof:

• An electronic logging device’s data on the truck driver’s driving hours. 
• GPS tracking data that contradicts the employer’s official driving hour logs. 
• Witness testimonies of a driver’s swerving and drifting that can suggest drowsiness.
• Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert that confirms a driver’s fatigue was likely.
• Testimony from a sleep expert that explains what signs of fatigued driving commonly look like.

If you want to ensure you have a strong legal strategy with a reliable team in your corner, please look no further than Wilton Law Firm. One of our talented Monmouth County auto accident attorneys from Wilton Law Firm is ready to be of any service to you.