Phoenix Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Attorney
Drowsy truck drivers are a real danger—let’s talk about it
You’ve probably been there before – driving late at night, eyes feeling heavy, struggling to stay focused. But imagine being in that state while operating a massive semi-truck, weighing thousands of pounds. The difference? Regular drivers can pull over, take a break, or call it a night. Truckers don’t always have that option. The pressure to meet deadlines, keep moving, and make deliveries on time pushes some of them past their limits, making the roads a dangerous place for everyone else.
Fatigued truck drivers aren’t just a risk to themselves – they’re a serious threat to everyone around them. And when a trucker’s exhaustion leads to a crash, it’s people in smaller vehicles who pay the price. If you or someone close to you has been in an accident involving a drowsy truck driver, you already know how devastating it can be.
Medical bills pile up. Injuries take time to heal – sometimes they never fully do. Insurance companies? They’ll try to minimize what you get. That’s where we come in. As experienced truck driver fatigue accident attorneys, we know how to hold negligent truckers and their employers accountable. You shouldn’t have to deal with this alone, and we’re here to make sure you don’t have to.
How can we help?
- Why do fatigue-related truck accidents happen?
- How fatigued truck drivers cause accidents
- Who’s liable? More than just the driver might be at fault
- What compensation can you recover?
- Why work with us?
- Steps to take after a fatigue-related truck accident
- Act fast – evidence disappears quickly
- Do you have a Phoenix truck driver fatigue accident lawyer near me?
Why do fatigue-related truck accidents happen?
Truck drivers spend long hours on the road. Even with federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules in place to limit how much they can drive without rest, the reality is that some ignore those limits – or worse, companies push them to do so.
Some of the biggest reasons truckers end up driving while dangerously tired include:
- Overloaded schedules. The trucking industry is all about deadlines. If a driver doesn’t make deliveries on time, they risk losing money or even their job. That pressure leads to long shifts and skipped breaks.
- Falsified logbooks. Drivers are supposed to track their hours, but some manipulate these records to show they’re following the rules when they’re not.
- Sleep disorders and poor rest. Some truckers suffer from sleep apnea or just don’t get quality rest between shifts, leaving them exhausted even if they technically took a break.
- Reliance on caffeine or stimulants. Many truck drivers push through fatigue using energy drinks or even medications. But when those wear off, their exhaustion catches up with them, sometimes while they’re still behind the wheel.
A truck driver fatigue accident attorney knows how to uncover these details, proving when a driver (or their company) ignored safety regulations and put others at risk.
How fatigued truck drivers cause accidents
A tired driver is a dangerous driver, especially when that driver is operating an 80,000-pound vehicle. Fatigue slows reaction times, makes it harder to focus, and can even cause brief moments of microsleep, where a driver nods off for just a second or two without realizing it.
Some of the most common types of truck accidents caused by fatigue include:
- Rear-end collisions. A drowsy driver may not notice traffic slowing down in time to stop.
- Lane drifting. When a driver struggles to keep their eyes open, it’s easy for a truck to veer out of its lane.
- Jackknife accidents. Slower reaction times can cause a trucker to brake too hard or too late, leading to a loss of control.
- Head-on collisions. If a driver completely dozes off, they may drift into oncoming traffic.
Any of these crashes can cause devastating injuries, or worse. And for victims, the road to recovery isn’t just about healing physically; it’s about getting justice and holding the responsible parties accountable.
Who’s liable? More than just the driver might be at fault
It’s easy to assume the truck driver is the only one responsible, but that’s not always the case. In many fatigue-related truck accidents, multiple parties share the blame.
- The truck driver. If they ignored federal regulations, failed to take rest breaks, or drove while dangerously fatigued, they could be held liable.
- The trucking company. If the company pushed the driver to work longer hours than allowed or failed to enforce rest breaks, they could be held accountable.
- Third-party logistics companies. If another company set an impossible schedule that encouraged the driver to push past their limits, they might be partially responsible.
- Truck manufacturers. If mechanical defects contributed to the crash, the manufacturer of the part, or the whole truck, could be liable.
- Maintenance providers. If the vehicle has mechanical issues that contributed to the crash, maintenance providers could also be at fault.
Arizona law follows comparative negligence (A.R.S. § 12-2505), meaning even if you were partially at fault, you may still be eligible for compensation. A Phoenix truck driver fatigue accident attorney will investigate every angle, helping to make sure no one responsible gets away without consequences.
What compensation can you recover?
Truck accidents are expensive – medical bills, car repairs, time off work, and even long-term care add up fast. But beyond the financial side, there’s also the pain, stress, and emotional toll these crashes take. That’s why victims can seek compensation for:
- Medical costs (emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing treatments)
- Lost income if the accident affected your ability to work
- Pain and suffering (both physical and emotional damages)
- Property damage to cover vehicle repairs or replacements
- Wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one in the crash
Insurance companies aren’t in the business of making things easy for accident victims. They often try to lowball settlements or blame you for the crash. That’s why having the right attorney matters.
Why work with us?
We know you have options when looking for legal representation. But here’s why people choose Plattner Verderame to handle their truck accident cases:
- We don’t let trucking companies off the hook. These corporations have their own legal teams, but we know how to fight back.
- We’ve been here before. Fatigue-related truck accidents are complicated, but we know how to prove when driver exhaustion caused a crash.
- No upfront fees. You don’t owe us anything unless we win your case.
If you want an attorney who will take your case seriously and fight for what you deserve, we’re here to help.
Steps to take after a fatigue-related truck accident
If you’ve been in a truck accident, knowing what to do next is critical. The right steps can protect your rights and improve your chances of getting full compensation.
- Get medical attention. Even if you feel fine, injuries can take time to appear.
- Call the police. A crash report is a key piece of evidence.
- Take pictures and document everything. Capture the accident scene, damage, and any visible injuries – every detail matters.
- Avoid discussing the accident with insurance companies. They may use your words against you in an attempt to settle for less than you deserve.
- Talk to an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you have legal representation, the better.
Act fast – evidence disappears quickly
Truck accidents aren’t like regular crashes. The companies involved move fast to protect themselves, sometimes even destroying evidence that could help your case. Critical evidence—like driver logs, GPS data, and maintenance records—can disappear if you wait too long.
On top of that, Arizona has a statute of limitations, meaning you only have a limited window to file a claim.
Do you have a Phoenix truck driver fatigue accident lawyer near me?
Plattner Verderame Arizona Injury Lawyers has an office at 316 E Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85012. Our experienced attorneys can make alternative arrangements to meet you, including by phone or through a video conference call.
We are here to provide you and your family support through this challenging time.
Contact Plattner Verderame today
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck driver fatigue accident, don’t wait. Contact Plattner Verderame today for a free consultation. We’re prepared to listen to your story, explain your options, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.