When a commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results can be life-changing, and in many cases, the driver behind the wheel had not gotten nearly enough sleep. Fatigued driving is one of the most dangerous and preventable causes of large truck crashes. Federal rules exist specifically to keep exhausted drivers off the road, and when those rules are broken, innocent people pay the price.
At Mandelbaum Barrett PC, we understand how overwhelming it can be to face a serious truck crash and not know why it happened. Our personal injury team has extensive experience investigating truck crash claims throughout New Jersey, and we know exactly where to look when driver fatigue may be to blame. If you were hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck, having an experienced attorney in your corner can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
What Are Hours of Service Regulations?
Hours of service (HOS) regulations are federal rules enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that control how long commercial truck drivers can operate their vehicles without rest. These rules exist because research consistently shows that fatigued driving sharply increases the risk of a crash. Under current FMCSA rules, property-carrying commercial drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window after at least 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Key Limits Drivers Must Follow
The HOS rules cover several specific restrictions that apply to commercial drivers on the road. The most important include:
- 11-hour driving limit: Drivers may not operate a commercial vehicle for more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour window: After coming on duty, a driver has a 14-hour window in which they may drive. Once that window closes, they cannot drive again until they have rested.
- 30-minute break: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight hours of consecutive driving.
- 70-hour weekly cap: Drivers cannot exceed 70 hours on duty over an eight-day period without a 34-hour restart.
When any of these limits are broken, the risk of a fatigue-related crash goes up significantly. A tired driver behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound truck has far less ability to brake in time, react to sudden hazards, or stay in their lane.
How Violations Contribute to Crashes in New Jersey
New Jersey’s busy highway network, including the Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and Routes 1 and 9, sees heavy commercial truck traffic every single day. When a driver pushes past legal limits to meet a delivery deadline, or a carrier pressures them to keep going, the results can be catastrophic. Determining when a trucking company is liable in a New Jersey truck crash often comes down to whether HOS rules were followed and whether the company itself allowed or encouraged violations.
What Evidence Reveals Fatigue
Fatigue is not always obvious in a police report, but the evidence often lives inside the truck’s own systems. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are now required for most commercial carriers, and they record precise data about when a driver was on duty and behind the wheel. Our team investigates what electronic logging devices reveal in truck accident claims as a key step in building a strong case. Logbook records, dispatch communications, GPS data, and driver schedules can all paint a clear picture of whether fatigue played a role.
What a Fatigue-Related Truck Accident Claim Involves
Building a successful claim after a fatigue-related crash requires a thorough investigation that gets started quickly. Physical evidence and electronic data can disappear fast, which is why it matters to have legal representation in place as soon as possible. Understanding the full range of commercial truck accident damages available in New Jersey is an important part of pursuing fair compensation, including damages for pain and suffering, disability and impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The Role of Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses often play a central role in these claims. An accident reconstruction professional or a trucking industry expert can explain to a jury exactly how an HOS violation contributed to the crash. Our attorneys work closely with qualified professionals to present the strongest possible case on behalf of every client we represent.
Contact Mandelbaum Barrett PC After a Truck Crash
Truck accident cases are more complex than typical car crash claims, and fatigue-related crashes add another layer of difficulty. Identifying violations, preserving evidence, and holding carriers accountable requires a legal team that knows how to handle these cases from start to finish. With decades of experience handling personal injury claims, our experienced attorneys include Certified Civil Trial Attorney Andrew Bronsnick and Co-Chair Joseph J. Peters.
If you or someone close to you has been seriously hurt in a truck crash in New Jersey, do not wait to get legal help. The sooner our team can begin investigating, the better positioned you are to recover the compensation you deserve. Contact Mandelbaum Barrett PC today to speak with a member of our personal injury team.