Truck drivers work long, grueling hours to keep goods moving across New Jersey and beyond. But when a truck driver is drowsy, overworked, or ignoring federal rest regulations, the results can be deadly. If you were injured in a crash involving a fatigued truck driver, you may be wondering: Can you sue if a truck driver was drowsy or overworked in a crash? The answer is yes, in many cases, victims can hold the driver, their employer, or both legally accountable.
These accidents often occur on major New Jersey highways like I-78, I-80, and the New Jersey Turnpike, where high speeds and heavy truck traffic combine to increase the risk of serious injuries or fatalities.
Why Drowsy Driving Is So Dangerous
Fatigue impairs a driver’s alertness, reaction time, and decision-making, making it just as dangerous as drunk driving. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), fatigue contributes to approximately 13% of serious crashes involving large trucks.
When a truck driver falls asleep behind the wheel or even experiences “microsleep” (brief seconds of dozing off), they can drift into other lanes, fail to brake, or collide with smaller vehicles, causing devastating outcomes.
Common Causes of Fatigued Truck Driving
Truck drivers are required by federal law to follow Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, which are designed to prevent fatigue by limiting the number of hours they can drive without rest. Unfortunately, not all drivers or trucking companies follow these rules.
Common causes of drowsy truck driving include:
- Exceeding legal driving hours
- Pressure from employers to meet delivery deadlines
- Inadequate sleep or rest breaks
- Sleep disorders like sleep apnea
- Use of sedating medications
- Irregular schedules and night driving
When a truck driver or company disregards these risks, the consequences can be life-altering for everyone involved in the crash.
Signs the Truck Driver Was Drowsy or Overworked
Proving that a truck driver was drowsy or overworked isn’t always simple, but there are clear warning signs that can indicate fatigue:
- The truck driver admits to being tired
- Logbooks show violations of hours-of-service regulations
- GPS data shows continuous driving without rest
- Eyewitnesses observed swerving, drifting, or delayed braking
- The truck rear-ended another vehicle or veered off the road
- The driver has a history of sleep-related violations
An experienced truck accident attorney can help uncover and interpret this evidence to support your claim.
Similar Post: The Hidden Dangers of Truck Driver Fatigue: What Victims Need to Know About Their Rights After an Accident
Who Can Be Held Liable?
If a fatigued truck driver caused your accident, multiple parties may be held responsible depending on the circumstances:
1. The Truck Driver
If the driver chose to ignore rest requirements or failed to act responsibly behind the wheel, they may be personally liable.
2. The Trucking Company
In many cases, the trucking company may share or carry full liability, especially if they:
- Encouraged or required illegal driving hours
- Failed to monitor driver logs
- Hired a driver with a known history of fatigue or violations
- Did not properly train or supervise employees
3. A Third-Party Maintenance or Logistics Company
If another company played a role in the scheduling, dispatching, or maintenance of the vehicle, they could also be named in the lawsuit.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Recover?
Truck accident injuries are often catastrophic, and victims may need years of recovery or face permanent disability. A successful claim may help you recover compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Surgeries, rehabilitation, and physical therapy
- Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or trauma
- Long-term care costs
- Vehicle damage and out-of-pocket expenses
In some cases, courts may also award punitive damages to punish reckless or knowingly negligent behavior by the driver or their employer.
Where These Accidents Commonly Happen in New Jersey
Large commercial trucks frequently travel through some of New Jersey’s busiest routes. Many drowsy driving truck accidents occur in areas with high-speed traffic or long haul routes, including:
- I-78 through Union and Somerset Counties
- I-80 across Morris and Bergen Counties
- Route 287 near Bridgewater and Morristown
- The New Jersey Turnpike, especially near Newark and Jersey City
- Route 1 and 9 through central and northern New Jersey
- Route 35 along the Jersey Shore, including Sea Girt and Asbury Park
If your crash occurred on one of these major roadways, it’s possible that fatigue played a role, especially during long weekends, overnight travel hours, or busy shipping seasons.
How to Prove the Driver Was Overworked or Fatigued
Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation using tools such as:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) records: These devices automatically track driving hours and can reveal HOS violations.
- Black box data: Also known as event data recorders (EDRs), black boxes can show speed, braking, and steering data leading up to the crash.
- Surveillance footage or dashcams: Cameras may capture erratic behavior or driving patterns consistent with drowsiness.
- Witness testimony: Bystanders, other drivers, or even coworkers can provide insight into the driver’s condition.
- Employment and medical records: These documents may show a history of sleep disorders, long shifts, or disregard for safe scheduling practices.
Uncovering this evidence often requires subpoenas, legal pressure, and expert analysis, which is why working with an experienced truck accident lawyer is so important.
Similar Post: The Importance of Black Box Data in New Jersey Truck Accident Investigations
Don’t Trust the Insurance Company to Play Fair
Trucking companies and their insurers act quickly to minimize liability after a crash. They may:
- Deny that the driver was fatigued
- Shift blame to other vehicles
- Offer a low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries
- Destroy or “lose” logbooks or ELD data
Don’t accept a settlement or speak with an insurance adjuster until you’ve talked to a lawyer. Once you sign a release, you may lose your ability to pursue further compensation, even if your condition worsens.
Suing After a Truck Accident in New Jersey? Blume Forte Attorneys at Law Can Help
If you were injured in a crash with a drowsy or overworked truck driver, you need answers and compensation. At Blume Forte Attorneys at Law, we have decades of experience holding negligent truck drivers and their employers accountable across New Jersey, from Union and Jersey City to Bridgewater and the Jersey Shore.
We’ll investigate logbooks, driving records, GPS data, and more to uncover the truth. Our legal team understands the trucking industry’s tactics, and we won’t let fatigue-based negligence go unchallenged. Whether your crash happened on the Turnpike, Route 287, or a local road in Sea Girt or Asbury Park, we’re here to help.
Contact Blume Forte Attorneys at Law today for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward. You don’t have to take on the trucking industry alone. Put our knowledge, experience, and reputation to work for you.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
