Virginia Driver Fatigue Attorneys

A tired truck driver poses a significant threat to everyone else on the road. If a driver has not had adequate rest before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, a single moment of inattention or drowsiness could result in a serious or fatal crash. Drowsy driving doesn’t just affect truckers. The National Sleep Foundation reported that 60% of Americans drove while feeling sleepy, and more than one-third admitted to actually having fallen asleep at the wheel in the past year. For the reasons mentioned above, however, truck drivers must make sure to get adequate rest and follow required hours-of-service regulations for their own safety and the safety of others.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) refers to driver fatigue as “drowsy driving” and claims it was responsible for 795 deaths in 2017 alone. NHTSA states that driver fatigue accidents often involve a driver running off of the road with no evidence at braking, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. and late in the afternoon. Accidents often occur in rural roadways.

Even when a negligent driver admits that fatigue caused or contributed to their actions at the scene, it can still be difficult for victims to get fair compensation for their injuries. You will want to contact CHASENBOSCOLO as soon as possible after an auto accident involving driver fatigue so we can help you hold the negligent party fully accountable.

Our firm has recovered more than $750 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. You can have us help you understand all of your legal options when you call (703) 538-1138 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Do I Need A Driver Fatigue Lawyer?

Proving that another driver was affected by driver fatigue is not always easy. An attorney is going to know how to obtain the evidence needed to determine that drowsy driving was the cause of your crash. With a commercial truck accident, the lawyer can review driver logbooks and establish a timeline of events preceding the crash.

Even when a fatigued driver does not have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), an attorney can still conduct their own rigorous investigation that can determine what a negligent driver was doing in the hours before they caused an accident. You are very likely to be contacted by an insurance company for the negligent driver involved in your case, and you need to be very careful with anything that you say to agents for insurers.

Always remember that any insurance company, even your own, is only concerned with paying as little as possible to resolve injury claims. This goal is obviously the opposite of your own best interests, but a lawyer is going to have an obligation only to take actions that serve your well-being.

When you hire CHASENBOSCOLO, we will be able to negotiate a full and fair settlement to your case that covers every single expense you have incurred or will incur because of the motor vehicle accident. If an insurance company is unwilling to provide adequate compensation, then our firm can file a lawsuit to take your case to the courtroom.

Why Choose CHASENBOSCOLO To Handle My Driver Fatigue Case?

CHASENBOSCOLO has handled more than 500 jury trials in the last five years alone. Our firm boasts a team of 25 attorneys and over 90 professionals with more than 100 years of combined legal experience who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Barry M. Chasen and Benjamin T. Boscolo both received AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, denoting the highest level of professional excellence. They each have more than three decades of legal experience.

Mr. Chasen was named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers in 2013 and is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Mr. Boscolo is a member of the American Association for Justice, who received the Dean’s Award for Professional Responsibility from American University, where he obtained his Juris Doctor.

CHASENBOSCOLO also proudly provides the No Fee Guarantee®, which means that you will only pay when you recover a financial award.

Types of Driver Fatigue Cases We Handle

Nobody is immune from exhaustion, but many drivers will avoid getting behind the wheel when they know that being tired could affect their ability to drive safely. Some drivers will attempt to fight through fatigue, and the results often have adverse outcomes.

Some of the most common reasons that people are dealing with driver fatigue issues include:

● Lack of sleep
● Use of certain sedative medications
● Alcohol consumption
● Driving for long periods of time
● Unrecognized sleep disorders

NHTSA noted that many driver fatigue crashes involve a fatigued driver leaving a roadway at high speed with no attempt to avoid a collision. The accident is often severe in nature and typically occurs late at night or early in the morning.

All motorists who get behind the wheel in Virginia should drive safely, and a person who causes an accident because of their fatigue will still be liable for the damages caused even when they may have unknowingly caused a crash. Drowsy driving accidents can result in a wide range of possible injuries that can include fractures or broken bones which will eventually heal. They can also cause more severe injuries such as paralysis or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can result in an entire lifetime of challenges.

People should make a conscious effort to avoid any possible driver fatigue issues by avoiding alcohol before driving and ensuring that drowsiness is not a side effect of any medication you are prescribed. Consider using coffee or energy drinks to give yourself a boost, but understand that the effects will only last a limited period of time. Always consider pulling into a rest area for a brief nap any time that you do feel even slightly fatigued.

Contact a Driver Fatigue Attorney in Virginia

Driver fatigue accidents can be incredibly complicated cases for people to attempt to handle on their own, and insurance companies are not always fair or honest in their evaluations of these types of claims. Make sure that you have CHASENBOSCOLO on your side right away so you can have the best chance of obtaining as much compensation as you possibly can.

Our firm understands the many challenges of driver fatigue cases and knows how to prove when another driver was dealing with sleep issues. Call (703) 538-1138 or contact us online to receive a free consultation.