Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers | September 19, 2018 | Truck Accidents

Traveling on New York’s roads for long, uninterrupted periods of time can make almost anyone feel fatigued. A fatigued driver is a dangerous driver given the impact that drowsiness can have on one’s reaction times while behind the wheel. Those whose jobs require them to drive for extended lengths (such as truck drivers) are encouraged to not push themselves to becoming physically exhausted on the road, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that fatigue is cited as a cause in 13 percent of commercial vehicle accidents. 

Refraining from driving can be difficult for truck drivers due to the fact that they are typically only paid when they are driving. Thus, federal laws have been established to govern the hours of service truckers can work. Working hours must be recorded by drivers so that such records can referenced if questions about compliance to these laws arises. 

Per the FMCSA, hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers are as follows: 

  • One cannot drive more than 11 hours following a 10 consecutive hours off duty
  • One cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour following 10 consecutive hours off duty
  • One cannot drive for more than eight consecutive hours without taking a break to rest
  • One cannot drive more than 60 hours over seven consecutive days, or 70 hours over eight consecutive days

Addressing the 60/70-hour work week in particular, one must first take a minimum of 34 consecutive hours off duty before resuming a new week or work. 

A truck driver that does fall asleep at the wheel may be unlikely to admit it. Therefore, one involved in a truck accident might want to insist on authorities investigating the logs were truckers detail their hours to fulfill the recording requirements that were mentioned earlier. 

Contact the New York City Truck Accident Law Firm of Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our truck accident lawyers at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We also serve in Brooklyn and the Bronx.

Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in NYC 
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 40.7051415,-74.0067386

Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b
Bronx, NY 10461
(929) 447-2347
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Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 40.8468944,-73.8483118

Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 550-3601
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Brooklyn 
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 40.692948,-73.991038