Fighting for the Victims of Truck Driver Fatigue Crashes in Sevierville

Representing drivers, passengers, and families in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Seymour

Truck drivers are especially prone to driving while tired because of the nature of the business. Truck companies push drivers to deliver goods in short time frames. The sooner a driver can finish a job, the earlier he or she can start another job or get back to their family. Because this danger is so well known, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rules on how often and when drivers can be on the road. A specific number of hours off the road is mandated.

At Delius & McKenzie, PLLC, our Sevierville truck driver fatigue attorneys understand the common sense rules and the federal regulations that apply. Our legal team reviews the driver’s logs and the books of the trucking companies that hired the driver. We review police reports, investigate the driver’s journey, and work to determine that driver fatigue caused a truck accident. We have obtained substantial jury trial verdicts and large negotiated settlements for many of our clients in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Seymour and throughout the state, because we tirelessly pursue the facts and persuasively argue the law.

Why driver fatigue is dangerous

A truck driver who falls asleep at the wheel or is groggy poses a direct threat to himself, other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Truck driving is especially dangerous because of the physical weight and size of trucks. Just one moment’s loss of concentration can kill someone or cause life-changing injuries to a person on the road.

Fatigued drivers are a risk on the road because:

• A loss of control of the truck increases the odds of driving into oncoming traffic, rear-ending another vehicle, running traffic signals, or failing to stop in time.
• They tend to go above the speed limit so they can get to their destination faster.
• They are more likely to drive recklessly than other drivers.
• They cannot react to dangers promptly and safely.

Driving while fatigued is one of the most dangerous thing any driver can do. That danger is exponentially higher when operating a commercial truck. Our attorneys are prepared to help you after you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a fatigued truck driver.

Is anyone besides the driver liable for driving while tired?

Our Sevierville truck driver fatigue lawyers work to hold all responsible parties liable after an accident. The truck driver is the first person that our office will demand payment from for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. We often also bring claims against the owners of the truck and the company that hired the driver. We may even bring a claim against the company that was receiving the shipment, as well as the company that ordered the shipment, if they made unreasonable time demands.

Our legal staff reviews the full itinerary of the driver, from the date he or she picked up the truck and the shipment to the time of the accident. We review where the driver slept and for how long, how often the driver was on the road, and which exact route the driver took. If the driver failed to comply with the FMCSA regulations, we use that violation to our client’s advantage.

The lawyers at our firm do not accept excuses. The safety of the public is mandatory. Drivers who are tired should get off the road and get the proper rest they need.

Injured by a tired truck driver? Our Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Seymour truck driver fatigue lawyers can help

At Delius & McKenzie, PLLC, we understand how devastating a truck accident can be. Please call a Sevierville truck driver fatigue attorney at 865-428-8780 or complete our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation. We represent clients from Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Seymour, and throughout Tennessee.