Truck accidents take the lives of more than 5,000 people across the United States each year and are the cause of hundreds of deaths right here in Texas. As you can imagine, fatigue is one of the leading causes of serious truck accidents.

When a tired driver operates an 18-wheeler, they put everyone on the road at risk. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a drowsy truck driver, a Corpus Christi truck accident attorney can help you fight for compensation.

Our dedicated legal team at Burkett Law Firm can help you pursue legal action and get justice. Our team will investigate your accident, identify all of the contributing factors, determine who is liable, and fight for justice on your behalf.

Why Fatigued Truck Driving Is So Common

Truck drivers are required to follow federal regulations that limit how many hours they can drive in a day. However, some drivers and trucking companies ignore these rules to increase profits. This creates dangerous situations where exhausted drivers stay behind the wheel longer than they should, putting everyone on the road at risk.

Common causes of fatigued truck driving include:

Pressure From Employers

Some trucking companies push drivers to meet unrealistic schedules. Tight deadlines and financial incentives can lead drivers to skip breaks and push past their limits. This pressure forces them to stay on the road even when they know they should rest.

Ignoring Hours-of-Service Regulations

Federal rules limit drivers to 11 hours of driving per shift, but violations still occur. Some drivers or trucking companies falsify logbooks to hide extra hours on the road. This leads to dangerously long shifts where exhaustion sets in.

Lack of Sleep

Many truckers don’t get enough rest between shifts. Sleeping in a truck cab or at a noisy rest stop can make it difficult to get the deep sleep needed to stay alert. Over time, sleep deprivation builds up, making it harder for drivers to focus.

Monotonous Driving Conditions

Long, repetitive highway routes can make drivers drowsy. Staring at the road for hours without enough stimulation can cause a trucker to zone out or even fall asleep at the wheel. Without frequent breaks, reaction times slow, increasing the chances of a crash.

If driver fatigue played a role in your accident, a Corpus Christi fatigued truck accident attorney can investigate your case and hold the responsible parties accountable. You shouldn’t have to suffer because a trucking company or driver ignored safety rules.

How Fatigue Contributes to Truck Accidents

Fatigue impacts the brain in ways comparable to alcohol. Research reveals that being awake for 11 hours continuously can impair driving as much as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. After 24 hours without sleep, the level of impairment mirrors a BAC of 0.10%—well above the legal limit for drivers.

When a truck driver is drowsy, they may:

• Struggle to keep their eyes open
• Drift between lanes
• Miss traffic signals or road signs
• React too slowly to hazards
• Fall asleep at the wheel

A Corpus Christi fatigued truck accident attorney can examine driving logs, GPS data, and witness reports to determine if fatigue played a role in your crash.

Common Injuries in Fatigued Truck Driving Accidents

Because trucks are so much larger than passenger vehicles, accidents involving tired drivers often result in severe injuries. Victims may suffer from:

• Head injuries and concussions: Brain trauma can have lifelong effects.
• Spinal cord injuries: These can lead to paralysis or chronic pain.
• Broken bones: The impact of a truck collision can shatter bones.
• Internal injuries: Damage to internal organs may require emergency surgery.
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Neck and back injuries are common in high-impact crashes.

A fatigued truck accident attorney in Corpus Christi will work with medical experts to assess the full extent of your injuries and fight for the compensation you need.

Proving Fatigue in a Truck Accident Case

Truck accidents can be complex, and proving fatigue requires a thorough investigation. A top-rated fatigued truck accident attorney in Corpus Christi will gather evidence such as:

• Driver logs: Truckers must keep detailed records of their driving hours.
• Black box data: Many trucks have event data recorders that track speed, braking, and driving time.
• Surveillance footage: Video from nearby businesses or traffic cameras may show signs of drowsy driving.
• Eyewitness statements: Other drivers may have noticed erratic driving behavior.
• Medical records: Sleep disorders or medications can contribute to fatigue-related crashes.

By gathering this evidence, the best-fatigued truck accident attorney in Corpus Christi can build a strong case to prove negligence and hold the responsible party accountable.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Fatigued Truck Driving Accident?

In many cases, more than just the driver is at fault. A fatigued truck accident attorney in Corpus Christi can help identify all the responsible parties, making sure you get the compensation you deserve. Those who may be held accountable include:

The Truck Driver

If the driver violated hours-of-service rules, skipped rest breaks, or ignored signs of fatigue, they can be held responsible. Driving while exhausted is just as dangerous as driving under the influence, slowing reaction times and increasing the risk of a crash. A tired driver who knowingly stays on the road puts everyone in danger.

The Trucking Company

Some trucking companies pressure drivers to meet unrealistic delivery times, leading them to drive longer than allowed. If a company encouraged, ignored, or even falsified logbooks to bypass federal safety regulations, they may be held liable. Profits should never come before safety, but unfortunately, some companies cut corners to boost their bottom line.

Cargo Loaders or Shippers

If a truck was overloaded or improperly loaded, it could make handling the vehicle more difficult, especially for a tired driver. Unbalanced cargo can cause a truck to swerve, tip over, or take longer to stop, increasing the chance of a collision. Those responsible for loading the truck must ensure it is balanced and safe to drive.

Truck Manufacturers

If faulty brakes, steering systems, or other mechanical failures contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may share responsibility. A truck that isn’t properly designed or maintained can be dangerous, especially when a tired driver is struggling to stay in control. Defective parts can turn a bad situation into a deadly one.

Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the accident to determine who should be held accountable. Holding the right parties responsible can make a difference in getting the full compensation you need to recover and move forward.

Compensation for Fatigued Truck Accident Victims

If you were injured in a truck accident caused by driver fatigue, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills: Coverage for the costs of hospital stays, surgeries, and other treatments you require, both immediate and long-term.
• Lost wages: Reimbursement for time missed at work and loss of future earning potential.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the pain and suffering your accident caused and how it has affected your life.
• Property damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle.

A Corpus Christi fatigued truck accident attorney will fight to maximize your compensation so you can focus on healing.

Why Choose Burkett Law Firm?

At The Burkett Law Firm, we know how overwhelming a personal injury case can be. Whether you’ve been hurt in a car crash, truck accident, or another serious incident, you need a team that truly cares about your recovery. With over 60 years of experience serving Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend, we’ve built a reputation for fighting for our clients and winning results that matter.

Attorney David Burkett has over 40 years of experience and is Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, the highest certification a Texas attorney can achieve in this field.

We’ve successfully recovered millions for accident victims and brought in medical experts, investigators, and case specialists to build the strongest case possible. Best of all, we work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win. We treat our clients like family and are ready to fight for you.

Contact Our Corpus Christi Fatigued Driving Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a fatigued driving truck accident, don’t wait to take action. Contact Burkett Law Firm today for a free consultation with a trusted Corpus Christi fatigued truck accident attorney. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.