Fatigued Truck Driver Accidents

Understanding the Risks and Your Legal Options

Serving Nashville, Davidson County, and communities throughout Middle Tennessee, The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. is committed to advocating for victims injured by fatigued commercial truck drivers. These accidents are among the most devastating on Tennessee’s roads and highways. A drowsy or overworked driver operating an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer poses a serious and often deadly risk to every motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian nearby.

Under the leadership of nationally respected attorney John Day, our firm provides unwavering support to individuals and families whose lives have been altered by the negligent actions of fatigued drivers. This resource will help you understand the risks associated with truck driver fatigue, your legal rights as a victim, and how our experienced team can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

The Impact of Fatigue on the Trucking Industry

Fatigue is a persistent and dangerous issue within the commercial trucking industry. It silently affects drivers’ abilities and often goes unrecognized until it is too late. Unlike impairment caused by alcohol or drugs, fatigue may not be immediately visible, yet it impairs the body and mind in similar and equally devastating ways.

Operating a large truck demands constant attention, rapid reflexes, and the ability to make split-second decisions. These critical faculties are impaired when a driver is exhausted. Slower reaction times can make it impossible to brake in time. Poor judgment can cause risky decisions such as unsafe lane changes or following too closely. Fatigue also reduces a driver’s situational awareness, leading to missed road signs, traffic signals, or unexpected obstacles. In extreme cases, a driver may experience microsleeps—brief, involuntary episodes of sleep that last just a few seconds. Even a momentary lapse in attention can result in catastrophic consequences when a massive truck is involved.

Because commercial vehicles are so large and heavy, accidents caused by even minor driver errors can have devastating outcomes. The margin for error is small, and when fatigue enters the equation, the risk of death or life-altering injury increases significantly.

What Causes Fatigue in Commercial Truck Drivers?

Despite federal regulations and widespread industry awareness, fatigue continues to play a significant role in truck accidents. Several underlying causes contribute to this ongoing problem.

One of the most significant contributors is the pay-per-mile or pay-per-load compensation structure that incentivizes longer hours behind the wheel. Many drivers, eager to increase their earnings, push themselves beyond legal limits. Some even falsify logbooks or manipulate electronic logging devices under pressure from employers who value speed over safety.

Inadequate rest breaks are another major factor. Although the law requires drivers to rest, not all drivers comply. Delivery deadlines, dispatcher pressure, and fear of losing contracts or bonuses can cause drivers to skip mandated breaks. Some are forced into such behavior by systemic issues in the trucking industry.

Sleep disorders are also prevalent among truck drivers, particularly obstructive sleep apnea. This condition disrupts restful sleep and leaves individuals chronically fatigued. Many drivers are unaware they have a sleep disorder or do not receive proper medical care and monitoring. This adds to the likelihood of drowsy driving episodes.

Furthermore, long-haul driving conditions are inherently monotonous. Driving for hours along unchanging routes with little stimulation, especially during nighttime hours or in the early morning, can naturally cause fatigue. Even experienced drivers are vulnerable to the dulling effects of this environment, which can lead to dangerously reduced alertness.

Federal and State Laws Governing Truck Driver Fatigue

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established detailed Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations aimed at curbing fatigue-related accidents. These rules are legally binding and apply to most commercial truck drivers across the United States. Under these regulations, drivers may operate a truck for a maximum of 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. Additionally, they are prohibited from driving beyond the 14th consecutive hour after starting a shift, regardless of how many breaks were taken during that time.

Drivers must also take a minimum 30-minute rest break after eight cumulative hours of driving. In terms of weekly limits, they are not allowed to drive more than 60 hours in any seven-day period or 70 hours in any eight-day period. To reset these totals, drivers must take 34 consecutive hours off duty. Violations of these rules can be used as evidence of negligence in civil cases and may result in fines, penalties, or sanctions for the trucking company.

In addition to these federal rules, Tennessee has state statutes that further support claims involving fatigued drivers. T.C.A. § 55-8-101 outlines general rules of the road, including provisions related to inattentive or reckless driving. Victims may file personal injury claims under Tennessee’s negligence law, which permits individuals harmed by another party’s negligence to seek financial recovery for injuries, death, and losses caused by that negligence. 

Tennessee has adopted  modified comparative fault for evaluating the causes of a wreck resulting in injuries or death.  Under this rule, an injured person (or the surviving family of a deceased person) can recover compensation from the at-fault party as long as the victim is less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. If the victim’s fault is less than 50%, the fault of the victim reduces the victim’s recovery by their percentage of fault. This system allows many injured parties to seek justice even if they may have made minor mistakes contributing to the crash.

The Serious Nature of Injuries Caused by Fatigued Truck Drivers

Fatigue-related truck accidents are among the most dangerous due to the high speeds and massive weight involved. These crashes often occur on major highways such as I-24, I-40, and I-65 and typically involve multiple vehicles. The force of impact can cause catastrophic damage to both persons and property.

Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries that impair memory, speech, coordination, and cognition. Victims may suffer spinal cord injuries resulting in partial or full paralysis, limiting mobility and requiring lifelong care. Burn injuries and disfigurement are common, especially in crashes involving fuel or hazardous materials. Multiple fractures, complex orthopedic injuries, and damage to internal organs such as the spleen, liver, or lungs frequently require emergency surgery and prolonged hospitalization.

Beyond physical injuries, psychological trauma often accompanies these devastating crashes. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The combination of physical, emotional, and financial hardship often requires months or years of recovery and support.

How The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. Can Help

Our firm is experienced in investigating and litigating truck accident cases, including those caused by driver fatigue. We understand the urgency and complexity of these claims and work aggressively to build strong, evidence-based cases that maximize recovery for our clients.

We begin by conducting a detailed investigation. This includes gathering driver logs and electronic logging device data, which may show excessive hours of service or breaks that were skipped. We examine black box data and GPS records (if available) to verify driving times and speeds. Employment records may reveal patterns of abuse or systemic negligence by the trucking company or dispatchers.  Important note: important data can be lost or destroyed as time passes after a wreck.  That is why we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible after a crash, because doing so will permit us to get to work to attempt to preserve available evidence. 

Medical and toxicology reports can be essential to identifying conditions such as sleep disorders or substance use that may have impaired the driver. We also obtain witness statements and work closely with expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction professionals, to explain how fatigue contributed to the crash.

In some cases, liability extends beyond the truck driver. We evaluate whether the trucking company created unsafe schedules, failed to monitor compliance, or pressured drivers into unsafe practices. We also explore the role of third-party logistics companies, maintenance providers, or manufacturers of malfunctioning vehicle components. By identifying every responsible party, we strengthen your case and increase the potential sources of compensation.

We approach each case with the expectation that it may go to trial. This level of preparation gives us an advantage during negotiations and ensures that insurance companies take your claim seriously. If a fair settlement is not offered, we are fully prepared to present your case to a jury.

Throughout the process, we provide compassionate support to our clients. We help coordinate medical care, connect clients with financial and community resources, manage communications with insurance companies, and guide them step by step through the legal system. Our goal is not only to secure compensation but also to restore peace of mind and provide clarity during an overwhelming time.

Compensation Available to Victims

Tennessee law allows victims of fatigued truck driver accidents to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, medication, rehabilitation, and all future medical needs arising from injuries received in the wreck. They also include lost wages from time away from work, as well as compensation for any reduction in future earning capacity caused by those injuries.

Non-economic damages address the human cost of the injury. These may include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional trauma, psychological distress, and any permanent disfigurement or disability. For families who have lost a loved one, additional compensation may be sought through  a wrongful death claim. Damages in such cases may include funeral expenses, loss of future income, and loss of companionship. 

Statute of Limitations: Act Quickly to Protect Your Rights

In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally one year from the date of the accident, as stated in T.C.A. § 28-3-104. This means you have only twelve months to file a lawsuit. If this deadline passes, your claim may be permanently barred, regardless of its merits.  In wrongful death cases, Tennessee law ordinarily requires that a lawsuit be filed against the responsible parties within one year of the date of the incident which causes the injury that resulted in death.  Some lawyer websites indicate that the one-year deadline is triggered by the date of death.  Those websites are wrong. 

Prompt legal action is essential not only to meet this deadline but also to preserve evidence. Logging data, GPS records, and surveillance footage can be deleted or overwritten quickly. Witness memories fade, and physical evidence may be lost or altered. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more effectively we can protect your interests and begin building your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many clients want to know what to do immediately after an accident involving a commercial truck. First, your safety comes first. Call 911 and remain at the scene if it is safe to do so. Stay off of the traveled portion of the road and the shoulder; many people who have been involved in a wreck have been struck by passing motorists after the crash.  Document the area with photos or video and gather names and contact information for any witnesses. Avoid speaking with insurance companies until you’ve spoken to an attorney.

Clients often ask how we prove fatigue. Our firm secures electronic logging device data, driver schedules, GPS records, and delivery timelines to build a timeline showing overwork or inadequate rest. 

If you are partially at fault for the crash, you can still pursue compensation as long as your percentage of fault is under 50. Your monetary award will be reduced by your share of fault but not eliminated entirely.

Cases may settle or proceed to trial. Many claims resolve through negotiation or mediation. However, if a fair offer is not made, our attorneys are ready to litigate in court and have a proven track record of success. We also offer contingency-based representation, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we win your case.

Contact The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident involving a fatigued truck driver, do not wait. The trucking company and its insurer will take swift action to protect their interests—you need a legal team doing the same for you.

The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. proudly represents clients in Nashville, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Davidson County, and across Middle Tennessee. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at 615-742-4880 or visit www.johndaylegal.com. Let us help you understand your rights, navigate the legal process, and fight for the compensation you deserve.