Ventura Drowsy Truck Driver Accident Lawyer

Driving a truck isn’t just another day at the office. It’s long hours on the road, often with inadequate sleep. Federal rules allow for hours of service that would be unthinkable in any other occupation, and many drivers even ignore those rules and drive much longer than is safe, often pressured by the trucking companies that hire them to move their freight as quickly as possible. If you’ve been the victim of an accident caused by a drowsy truck driver in Ventura County, Zavala Law can help. We know how to investigate the cause of a crash, figure out what happened, and hold all liable parties accountable for the damage they’ve caused. We are here to see that you are taken care of now and into the future. Contact our experienced Ventura drowsy truck driver accident lawyer today.

The Reality of Drowsy Truck Driving Accidents

Truck drivers often face extreme pressure to meet deadlines, whether self-imposed or coming from their employers or other parties. This urgency sometimes leads to continued driving at the expense of rest. The consequences? Reduced reaction times, impaired judgment, and an elevated risk of crashing a massive eighteen-wheeler. These aren’t just hypothetical situations; they’re very real concerns impacting countless motorists in Ventura County every year.

Just a quick look at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours of service regulations for property-carrying drivers gives you a good feel for the punishing hours on the road truckers put in day in and day out:

• Truckers may drive up to 11 hours after ten hours off duty.
• Truckers can spend up to 14 hours on duty following ten hours off duty.
• Drivers can go for eight hours at a stretch before they have to take a 30-minute break.
• Truckers can put in 60 hours over seven straight days or 70 hours over eight straight days. Taking off for 34 hours (that’s less than a day and a half) allows them to start a new period all over again.
• Drivers who encounter adverse driving conditions can extend the 11-hour driving limit and the 14-hour driving window by up to two hours.
• Short-haul drivers are exempt from many of these requirements.

Every year, safety inspectors pull thousands of drivers off the road due to out-of-service (OOS) violations. By far the number one OOS violation is a violation of the FMCSA hours of service rules. Number two is a finding that drivers falsified their logs to make them appear to be in compliance with the rules when they weren’t. These aren’t surprise inspections either; truckers know well in advance when they will take place every year. Only a small fraction of trucks get pulled over for inspection, so it’s a scary thought to consider how many semis are on the road right now with drivers violating the hours of service rules.

How Zavala Law Can Help

Zavala Law isn’t your run-of-the-mill personal injury law firm. What sets us apart? Matt Zavala, our lead attorney, packs in a decade of experience as an insurance defense lawyer. That means he knows the playbook the insurance companies use and can beat them at their own game. Additionally, Matt has a ton of litigation and trial experience, meaning he won’t cave in at the first sign of a difficult case. Matt is willing and able to go to trial and win. The insurance companies know it and are more likely to settle for a fair amount than face Matt in front of a jury in court.

Equally important to getting results, what really makes Zavala Law stand out is our commitment to personal service, accessibility, and a client-first approach. With us, you’re not just another case; you’re a person who deserves justice. Matt is someone you can relate to. He doesn’t talk down to clients but gives them honest advice and is there to support them throughout the claims process. If this is as important to you as it is to us, then Zavala Law is the law firm you want representing you in a complex truck accident case.

Contact Zavala Law Today

When you’ve been a victim of a drowsy truck driver accident, you want a law firm that makes you feel heard, respected, and empowered. You’ll find all that and more at Zavala Law. Reach out to us to make your case a priority. We’re not just a law firm here to get you paid; we’re advocates fighting for your right to safety and justice on the roads of Ventura County. Call 805-429-4292 for a free consultation to find out how we can help.