How Truck Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations Cause Serious Accidents

Truck driver fatigue is one of the most dangerous conditions on our highways. When a truck driver is exhausted, their reaction time slows down, their judgment becomes impaired, and they may even fall asleep at the wheel. An 80,000-pound commercial truck traveling at highway speeds becomes a deadly weapon when the driver cannot stay alert.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, driver fatigue is a contributing factor in about 13 percent of all commercial truck crashes. These are not just statistics. These are real people killed or seriously injured because a truck driver or trucking company ignored safety rules designed to prevent exactly these tragedies.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident in 2026, our Tarpon Springs personal injury attorney is available 24/7 to help. With more than 20 years of experience and over 900 five-star reviews, we know how to investigate these cases and hold trucking companies accountable. We offer free consultations and are willing to fight for full compensation, not just accept a quick settlement.

What Are the Federal Hours-of-Service Rules for Truck Drivers?

The federal government created hours-of-service regulations specifically to prevent driver fatigue. These rules are found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 395. Every commercial truck driver and trucking company operating in Florida must follow these regulations.

Basic Hours-of-Service Requirements

The current federal rules limit how long truck drivers can be on duty and behind the wheel:

• Drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Drivers cannot drive beyond 14 hours after coming on duty, even if they took breaks.
• Drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving.
• Drivers cannot drive after working 60 hours in seven consecutive days or 70 hours in eight consecutive days.
• Drivers must take at least 34 consecutive hours off duty to restart their weekly clock.

These rules exist because research shows that driving while fatigued is similar to driving while intoxicated. After 18 hours without sleep, a driver’s abilities are impaired to the same level as someone with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent, which is legally drunk.

Electronic Logging Devices

In 2026, most commercial trucks must have electronic logging devices, or ELDs, installed. These devices automatically track how long a driver has been on duty and behind the wheel. The ELD rule was created to stop drivers from falsifying paper logbooks, which was a common problem in the trucking industry for decades.

Despite these electronic monitoring requirements, violations still happen. Some trucking companies pressure drivers to exceed the limits. Some drivers disable or manipulate their ELDs. Others find ways around the system entirely.

How Do Trucking Companies Violate Hours-of-Service Regulations?

Trucking is a business built on deadlines. Companies get paid to deliver cargo on time. This creates enormous pressure to keep trucks moving, even when safety requires rest stops. Hours-of-service violations happen in several common ways.

Unrealistic Delivery Schedules

Some trucking companies create delivery schedules that are impossible to meet without violating hours-of-service rules. The driver either misses the deadline and faces penalties, or they drive when they should be resting. Many drivers feel they have no choice but to break the rules to keep their jobs.

Payment Structures That Encourage Speeding

Many truck drivers get paid by the mile, not by the hour. This payment structure creates a financial incentive to drive as many miles as possible, even if it means skipping required rest breaks or exceeding daily driving limits. The more miles driven, the more money earned.

Falsifying Records

Even with electronic logging devices, some drivers and companies find ways to cheat. They might keep two sets of logs, use multiple ELD accounts, or claim that certain driving time was off-duty personal use. Some companies look the other way when drivers clearly cannot be reaching their destinations legally within the hours shown on their logs.

Inadequate Oversight and Training

Trucking companies have a legal duty to properly train their drivers and monitor compliance with federal regulations. Companies that fail to review driver logs, ignore repeated violations, or do not have proper fatigue management policies create dangerous conditions on the road.

What Evidence Shows a Truck Driver Was Fatigued?

After a serious truck accident, proving that driver fatigue caused the crash requires thorough investigation. An experienced truck accident lawyer knows what evidence to look for and how to get it before it disappears.

Electronic Logging Device Data

The ELD contains detailed information about the driver’s hours in the days and weeks before the accident. This data can show whether the driver violated hours-of-service rules or was pushing the legal limits when the crash happened.

Cell Phone Records

Cell phone records can reveal whether a driver was texting, talking, or using apps when they should have been resting. These records can also show sleep patterns if the driver was using their phone during times they claimed to be off duty.

Company Dispatch Records

Communications between the driver and their dispatcher often reveal pressure to make impossible deadlines or suggestions to work around hours-of-service rules. These records are critical evidence of company negligence.

Driver Employment and Training Files

A driver’s complete employment file may show a pattern of previous hours-of-service violations that the company ignored. Training records can reveal whether the company properly educated drivers about fatigue management.

Truck Maintenance and Inspection Reports

Federal law requires drivers to complete vehicle inspection reports before and after each trip. Missing or falsified inspection reports can indicate a driver who was too fatigued to complete basic safety tasks properly.

Witness Statements

Witnesses who saw the truck before the crash may have noticed erratic driving, lane drifting, or other signs that the driver was struggling to stay awake. Other drivers who shared the road with the truck driver on previous days can sometimes provide evidence of concerning behavior.

Call a Tampa, FL Truck Accident Attorney Today

If a fatigued truck driver caused an accident that injured you or killed someone you love, you need legal representation that will stand up to powerful trucking companies. Our Tarpon Springs personal injury lawyer has more than 20 years of experience handling truck accident cases throughout Florida.

We are available 24/7 because serious truck accidents do not happen on a schedule. We offer free consultations so you can understand your rights and options without any financial risk. Call Mickey Keenan, P.A. at 813-412-8226 right now to speak with a truck accident attorney who will fight for you, not just settle for less than you deserve.