Boston Truck Accidents Caused by Driver Fatigue
Dedicated legal support for those injured because of fatigued truck drivers in Boston
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Drowsy drivers are dangerous behind any wheel, but they are especially hazardous when operating an 80,000-lb truck. Sadly, fatigued driving is all too common. It’s now one of the most common causes of catastrophic truck crashes. At Santoro & Gray, our lawyers are prepared to build cases that hold fatigued drivers and negligent trucking companies accountable. If you suffered injuries in one of these crashes, reach out to us today.
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How Santoro & Gray can help you
- Why fatigued truck drivers are so dangerous, and so common
- Federal trucking regulations to prevent fatigue
- Signs a fatigued truck driver caused your crash
- What injuries can result from a fatigue-related truck crash?
- Time limits and comparative fault
- Who may be liable in a driver fatigue truck crash?
- Why choose Santoro & Gray
- Do you have a truck accident attorney near me?
It’s well-known that fatigue slows reaction time, dulls focus, and increases the risk of crashes. A tired truck driver may doze off or fully fall asleep at the wheel, causing them to drift across lanes or veer off-road. They may also miss stop signs or apply their brakes too late. A driver who realizes they dozed off may react by overcorrecting and cause a severe wreck like a rollover or jackknife crash. All of these moments are potentially deadly—especially in dense Boston traffic.
Unfortunately, the nature of truck driving means that fatigue is a serious potential risk. Drivers often face long hours, tight timelines, and irregular or overnight schedules that disrupt their circadian rhythms. Poor-quality sleep in sleeper cabs or truck stops can compound the dangers. Some truckers use energy drinks or stimulants to stay awake, but once they wear off, the monotonous driving conditions may become overwhelming. As a result, fatigue is a serious safety concern for drivers and everyone on the road with them.
There are trucking regulations meant to prevent fatigued driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces these rules, which include Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations, which state that drivers must comply with:
- An 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive off-duty hours
- A 14-hour total shift window including non-driving time
- A 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving
- 60/70-hour weekly limits
Most truckers are also required to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track their hours and limit the risk of fatigue.
Truck companies can face severe consequences if they or their drivers take any steps to hide violations of HOS rules. Companies can be liable for the consequences of tampering with ELDs or logbooks, instructing drivers to work "off the clock" for loading/unloading, pressuring drivers to stay on the road when they are tired, or ignoring red flags in driver performance or past violations.
While fatigued driving might not be something you can test for, like drunk driving, there could be signs that a driver was too tired to be operating their vehicle. Some of those include:
- A lack of skid marks on the road, indicating the driver never tried to apply the brakes
- Erratic or drifting movements before the crash
- Driving during the early morning hours, or late at night
- Witnesses or surveillance videos that show signs of nodding off
- Discrepancies in driving logs or delivery records
- Evidence of past FMCSA fatigue citations or safety violations
We might work with crash reconstruction experts to determine signs of driver fatigue or other indications of negligence.
Fatigue-related truck crashes can lead to severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Multiple fractures or orthopedic damage
- Burns and lacerations
Some of these crashes lead to fatal injuries. In those tragic scenarios, our Boston fatigued truck driver attorneys may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
The statute of limitations in Massachusetts is generally three years from the date of injury. However, it’s important to speak to a lawyer sooner rather than later. Evidence becomes more challenging to gather as time passes.
Another important law to keep in mind is Massachusetts’ comparative negligence rule. If your degree of fault is “not greater than the total amount of negligence attributable to the person or persons against whom recovery is sought,” you can still recover damages. However, the court will reduce your compensation based on your share of fault. Trucking companies often try to shift blame to the injured person to eliminate or at least reduce their obligation to pay compensation. Your lawyer can combat these attempts and advocate for maximum recovery.
Liability in a fatigued truck driver case may fall on several parties, including:
- The truck driver: The person who negligently operated the truck while fatigued may be liable.
- The trucking company: The truck company may be vicariously liable. Vicarious liability occurs when the driver is an employee for whom the employer is responsible. Even if the driver isn’t an employee, the company may be liable because of negligent hiring and retention policies or because they failed to screen for past violations. Under negligent supervision theories, the company might be at fault for pushing drivers beyond legal limits.
Other parties may also share in liability for the crash, including manufacturers of truck parts, maintenance providers, or other drivers whose actions played a role in the collision. While your PIP policy will apply first, in truck crashes, it’s easy to exceed this coverage and meet the minimum requirements for filing a personal injury claim.
Truck accidents often lead to severe injuries, which means that they are high stakes and likely to lead to backlash for companies and insurers. At Santoro & Gray, we understand fatigue-related trucking cases aren’t simple—they’re fact-intensive and heavily defended. Our team works to build cases that expose violations, uncover ELD discrepancies, and hold corporate employers accountable. We are Boston-based and trial-tested, which means we’re ready to fight for you, even against large corporations. Our lawyers take the time to listen to you and use your story and your experiences to build the best possible case to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable and to recover damages.
Yes. Santoro & Gray is located in Boston and represents clients across the Greater Boston region and all of Massachusetts. You can visit our office at 131 Dartmouth Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 35, Boston, MA 02116.
If you’re unable to visit our office, we can come to you or discuss your claim on the phone or through a video call. We’re ready to fight for you, your family, and your future.
Contact Santoro & Gray for a free case evaluation today
Santoro & Gray offers free case evaluations for prospective personal injury clients. You can schedule your case evaluation with one of our Boston fatigued truck driver accident attorneys today by calling our office or filling out our contact form. We’re prepared to stand up for you.