If you’ve been in an accident with a commercial truck in Texas, and you suspect the driver was fatigued, you may have a case against them. Commercial vehicle operators are held to strict safety standards for a reason: when truck drivers cut corners on rest, other motorists pay the price. Texas law allows injured drivers and passengers to seek compensation when a trucker’s fatigue, driver negligence, or violation of federal rest requirements causes a crash.
Unfortunately, proving driver fatigue isn’t always straightforward. It takes experienced legal support, a strong investigation, and an understanding of the state and federal regulations that govern truck drivers.
At Guzman Law Firm, we help victims of commercial vehicle accidents hold negligent truck drivers and their employers accountable. If you believe a fatigued truck driver caused your accident, don’t wait to get legal help. Call Guzman Law Firm at (956) 516-7198. You deserve answers — and compensation for your losses.
How often does driver fatigue cause truck accidents?
Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of large truck crashes in the United States — and Texas sees more of these crashes than any other state.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver fatigue is a factor in roughly 13% of commercial motor vehicle accidents. While that may seem like a small percentage, it’s important to recognize that this number only reflects reported fatigue; many more cases likely go unrecognized or underreported.
Fatigue can impair a driver’s reaction time, decision-making, and awareness. In fact, the National Safety Council has compared drowsy driving to drunk driving in terms of how it affects performance. A trucker who’s been on the road for too long is not only physically tired but also cognitively impaired, making them a danger to everyone else on the road.
Texas has consistently ranked among the top states for commercial vehicle accidents, including fatigue-related crashes. Given the state’s extensive highway system and heavy truck traffic, it’s not surprising, but it does mean drivers need to stay vigilant and know their rights if they’re involved in a crash.
If your accident involved a commercial vehicle and you believe fatigue may have been a factor, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What are the fatigue laws for truck drivers?
Commercial truck drivers in Texas are subject to both state and federal regulations designed to prevent fatigue and keep roadways safe. The most significant of these are the Hours of Service (HOS) rules set by the FMCSA. These rules limit the amount of time a truck driver can operate a vehicle without rest and are intended to reduce fatigue-related crashes.
Here are the key Hours of Service rules for property-carrying drivers:
- 11-hour driving limit: Drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour limit: Drivers may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 30-minute break requirement: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving time without at least a 30-minute interruption.
- 60/70-hour limit: Drivers may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days, or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days, depending on the company’s operating schedule.
- Sleeper berth provision: Drivers using sleeper berths must spend at least 8 consecutive hours in the berth, plus an additional 2 consecutive hours off duty (in the berth or otherwise).
These rules are not suggestions: they are the law. If a truck driver violates HOS regulations and causes an accident, they may be found negligent and held liable for damages. Trucking companies can also be held accountable if they encouraged, ignored, or failed to monitor compliance with these rules.
Unfortunately, fatigue-related violations are common. In some cases, truckers falsify their logs to drive longer hours. In others, companies pressure drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, leading to corners being cut. When this happens and an innocent person is hurt, legal action is often the only way to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Unique challenges in fatigue-related accidents
Fatigue doesn’t always leave obvious evidence at the scene of a crash. Unlike alcohol or drugs, there’s no blood test to confirm drowsiness. And unlike texting while driving, fatigue may not show up in cellphone records. That’s why proving fatigue-related driver negligence requires a strategic and thorough legal approach.
How a personal injury attorney can prove driver fatigue
At Guzman Law Firm, we build strong cases by investigating multiple angles:
- Driver logs: Commercial drivers are required to keep detailed logs of their hours. In many cases, these logs are electronic (ELDs) and can show whether a driver exceeded their allowable time behind the wheel.
- GPS and dispatch data: We can cross-reference driving logs with GPS data and dispatch records to detect inconsistencies or signs of excessive driving.
- Surveillance and dashcam footage: In some cases, dashcam footage may show signs of fatigue like erratic driving, drifting, or delayed braking.
- Eyewitness testimony: Witnesses to the crash may have observed the truck driving unsafely in the moments leading up to the accident.
- Company policies and communications: If the trucking company encouraged or tolerated long driving hours, those communications can be key to establishing liability.
- Post-crash interviews and police reports: Drivers who admit to being tired or who appear visibly exhausted at the scene may offer important evidence in your favor.
In fatigue-related accidents, the defendant may argue that other factors were to blame (e.g., weather, road conditions, or even your own driving). That’s why you need a personal injury lawyer who knows how to counter those arguments and present a compelling case backed by documentation, data, and expert testimony.
Fatigue-related accidents are not just the result of bad luck; they’re the result of driver negligence. Plain and simple. And under Texas law, victims of that negligence have the right to seek justice.
Don’t let another’s negligence ruin your life. Call Guzman Law Firm today.
If you were injured in a crash involving a commercial truck and suspect the driver was too fatigued to be behind the wheel, you deserve answers. Fatigued driving isn’t just a violation of the law — it’s a violation of your right to be safe on the road. In the aftermath, you may be facing physical injuries, emotional trauma, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. While no amount of money can undo the harm, holding the at-fault driver and their employer accountable can help you rebuild your life with dignity and financial stability.
At Guzman Law Firm, we understand the devastating impact commercial vehicle accidents can have. We fight for people who’ve been hurt by negligent truck drivers, whether due to fatigue, distracted driving, improper loading, or other reckless behavior.
Our team will investigate every angle of your case, gather evidence of driver fatigue, and hold all responsible parties accountable — from the driver to the trucking company and their insurers. We’ve helped many Texans recover compensation for the following common damages:
- Medical bills and future treatment
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
If you’ve been hurt, don’t wait for the trucking company to take responsibility. Let Guzman Law Firm stand by your side and demand justice on your behalf. Call us today at (956) 516-7198.
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