A Tennessee man was recently arrested in connected to a truck accident that injured 14 people in Illinois.
The accident occurred outside of Chicago on June 19. The truck driver, a 52-year-old Crossville resident, was operating a tractor-trailer at around 4 a.m., on Interstate 55. According to the Chicago Tribune, the driver reportedly caused a chain-reaction crash when he struck a vehicle from behind, leading to the wreck of 12 other automobiles.
The driver allegedly told investigators that he fell asleep prior to the crash. He reportedly picked up a load prior to the accident and realized he would not make his destination, and even though he was fatigued, he allegedly continued to drive. He reportedly drove for 14 consecutive hours prior to the accident.
The driver was issued six tickets following the crash including one for driving while fatigued. He was taken into custody and later bonded out of jail. He has upcoming court appearances scheduled.
FATIGUED DRIVING LEADS TO TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Unfortunately, as this case shows, fatigued driving often plays a role in truck accidents. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “nearly 4,000 people die in large truck crashes each year and driver fatigue is a leading factor.”
Because of this, the agency has Hours of Service (HOS) regulations for truck drivers about the amount of time they can drive. For example, one rule is that drivers must take a 30-minute rest break within the first 8 hours of their shift. Additionally, there are regulations involving “restarts”, or longer rest periods over the course of a week, which are required.
If you are involved in a truck accident, speak to our Nashville truck accident lawyer about the laws surrounding your case. Finding fault following a truck accident can occur through an independent investigation. If our attorney can prove that driver fatigue or error contributed to your crash, you may be entitled to damages.
Visit our verdicts and settlements page to see how our Nashville truck accident attorney has helped victims.
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” – Psalms 9:9