Drowsy Driving Causes Rochester Truck Accident

Feb. 13, 2013

Drowsy driving seems to be the cause of a tractor-trailer accident that occurred outside of Rochester, New York recently. According to an article from Your News Now, the crash happened just after midnight on Jan. 31, along the westbound lanes of Route 104.

Reports indicate the driver of the truck was driving along when he began to doze off. The truck veered off the road and traveled down an embankment, causing the truck to roll into the yard of a residence. The impact of the Rochester Truck Accident sheared the roof of the vehicle off and resulted in the driver suffering minor cuts and bruises.

In 2009, an estimated 730 lives were lost in accidents caused by a driver who was either fatigued or asleep. Another 30,000 non-fatal crashes involved drowsy driving. One vehicle type that should not be involved in this type of accident is a commercial tractor-trailer.

Laws govern exactly how long the driver of a tractor-trailer is allowed to operate their vehicle per day. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets a maximum of between ten and eleven hours per day a truck driver can be behind the wheel of their vehicle.

The Rochester Personal Injury Lawyers with William Mattar Law Offices explain that truck drivers must operate under different standards and regulations than motorists in passenger vehicles and suggest discussing your case with a qualified attorney if you have been hurt in an accident with a tractor-trailer.