Most people who regularly drive have experienced sleepiness at the wheel. Whether due to shift work, insomnia, or other reasons, most adults do not get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night. When driving, sleep deprivation can be deadly. Experts explain that sleep deprivation can cause episodes of “microsleep.” A person may fall asleep for several seconds at a time without even realizing it. Large truck drivers who are fatigued may make driving mistakes that lead to horrific accidents.

If you or a loved one were harmed in a truck accident and you suspect sleep deprivation may have been a contributing factor, it is important to understand how this may impact your claim.

Understanding Hours of Service Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limits the number of hours commercial drivers may drive in a day. For example, these “Hours of Service” rules state that commercial drivers carrying property can only drive a maximum of 11 hours consecutively. Drivers carrying passengers are limited to ten hours.

Car crashes happen every day in Texas. Some are caused by driver inattention, drunk driving, or traffic law violations. Others are caused by defective vehicle components such as defective tires or brakes. Whatever the reason, car accidents have a major personal and financial impact on victims.

Many car crash victims are able to recover financial compensation for vehicle repair, medical bills, and other costs. However, even after a vehicle is repaired, the vehicle may not recoup its original value. Fortunately, Texas law allows car accident victims to seek compensation for the diminished value of their vehicle.

Addressing the Difference in Value Before and After a Collision

Mechanics can repair vehicle damage after a car accident, but there is no way to go back in time and make it so the accident never occurred. Regardless of the repairs performed on the vehicle, the vehicle has still been involved in an accident and potential buyers will no longer pay top dollar for it.

Semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles were involved in over 30,000 auto accidents in Texas last year alone. While 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks are an essential means of transporting goods across the state, these vehicles can also do massive damage in an accident. If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a wreck involving a large commercial truck, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, lost society, and pain and suffering are just some of the damages to which truck accident victims may be entitled. However, a strong case backed by compelling evidence is needed to recover compensation. Expert witnesses are often a crucial component of a successful claim.

Accident Reconstructionists in a Texas Truck Accident Case

There are countless factors involved in a truck collision. Understanding exactly how and why a truck wreck occurred is often one of the most challenging parts of building a claim. Accident reconstructionists are often highly skilled in the fields of engineering, physics, and computer modeling. They evaluate the accident scene, vehicle damage, video footage, event data recorder information, and other evidence to understand how an accident took place. They can then use models and computer programs to explain the sequence of events in a crash.

Medical Experts Can Explain Your Injuries and Prognosis

Severe and catastrophic injuries are common in large truck accidents. Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to get compensation for your medical expenses including emergency medical care and ongoing treatment. However, many insurance companies and trucking companies try to downplay the severity of a plaintiff’s injuries in a truck accident case. Often, medical experts are used to verify the severity of a plaintiff’s injuries and the impact those injuries have on their daily life.

Statistics show that a great number of car accidents are caused by negligent driving. However, some car crashes are the result of faulty vehicle components. Defective tires can be especially dangerous because tread separation and blowouts often cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. In 2000, Firestone recalled 6.5 million tires because the tires treads were separating from the core, causing severe auto accidents. The defect is linked to almost 300 deaths. If you or a loved one were injured in a car crash caused by a faulty tire, you may be entitled to compensation.

Liability for Tire Defects is Not Always Clear

Defective tires can lead to tire explosion, blowouts, belt separation, tread separation, and other dire consequences. These defects may be caused by a number of different factors. Sometimes, a tire contains a defect because of oversights or mistakes during the design process. Other times, manufacturing errors cause faulty tires to reach consumers. Retailers may knowingly sell tires that contain defects. When a tire company discovers a defect, it may issue a recall. Unfortunately, recalls do not always prevent serious and fatal accidents. Identifying which party or parties are legally responsible for an injury or death caused by a tire defect is often the first step toward recovering compensation.

The Driver of the Vehicle May Be Considered Partially At Fault

Tire defects can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. The driver may collide with other motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians. In some tire defect cases, the defendant argues that the driver of the vehicle is partially at fault for the crash. If you were in a crash caused by a defective tire, an experienced product liability lawyer can help you gather evidence to prove the at-fault party’s liability for the crash. Fortunately, in Texas, an injured person may still be entitled to partial damages as long as he or she is not considered more than 50 percent responsible for the injury-causing accident.

The area of personal injury law deals with injuries to persons and property caused by negligent or malicious actions. Many personal injury claims follow a car accident or truck accident in which someone is hurt or killed. Slip and fall accidents, amusement park accidents, work accidents, and other incidents can also lead to a personal injury claim.

Injured victims and their families often experience immediate financial upheaval after being hurt in an accident. Vehicle replacement costs, medical bills, and lost income make the process of healing even harder than it already is. A personal injury claim may help victims recover financial compensation for these and other financial losses after an accident. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer during this process benefits injured victims in a multitude of ways.

Choosing the Course of Action That Is Best for You

Every accident is unique, and there are nearly countless ways that an accident victim can respond. Some accident victims assume that it is best to settle with the insurance company as quickly as possible in order to secure compensation. However, doing so can sometimes mean accepting a much lower settlement offer. A skilled attorney can help you determine the course of action that is best given your unique situation and needs.