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Tow Truck Drivers Work Overtime in the Winter. When Accidents Happen, Victims are Entitled to Compensation for Their Losses

| Jan 5, 2017 | Auto Accidents

Recently, we published a blog that alerted readers to the dangers of drowsy driving. This is a growing problem on roads and highways throughout Northeast Ohio—and across the U.S. as well. New research by the American Automobile Association (AAA) indicates that drivers who miss two to three hours of sleep a day more than quadruple their risk of getting involved in a crash, compared to drivers who sleep for seven hours.

In the AAA study cited in our drowsy driving blog, sleep-deprived drivers were found to be nearly twice as likely to be involved in an accident when they get five to six hours of sleep; more than four times as likely with four to five hours of sleep; and nearly 12 times more likely to be involved in a crash with less than four hours of sleep.

While drowsy driving can affect any motorists, tow truck drivers are working long hours during our winter months here in Northeast Ohio—and they are especially prone to drowsy driving.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) sets rules whereby commercial drivers are only allowed to work 11-hour shifts, unless they are sent on a police call, in which case, they are exempt.

Still, the work that tow truck drivers must perform is grueling and occurs repeatedly in cold temperatures, over long hours. During our winter months, many tow truck drivers are sleep-deprived, and when sleep-deprived drivers get behind the wheel, accidents happen.

As we said in our drowsy driving blog, no one should ever get behind the wheel when they are too drowsy to drive safely. Those who do should be held accountable when their actions result in accidents that harm others. Tow truck drivers are no exception. Victims who are injured as a result of a tow truck driver who fell asleep at the wheel are entitled to pursue claims in order to obtain compensation for their losses. Additionally, if someone is killed in an accident caused by drowsy driving on the part of a tow truck driver, the surviving family members may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against that driver.

No Cost Evaluation

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a tow truck drowsy driving accident, your rights are at stake—you need to seek immediate legal advice. At Nager, Romaine & Schneiberg Co., L.P.A., our personal injury attorneys may be able to help you pursue compensation for the pain and suffering that you have been forced to endure. The experienced personal injury lawyers at NRS are highly knowledgeable in personal injury litigation, including drowsy driving.

We fight side by side with injured victims to make sure they and their families receive compensation for negligence that caused them to be hurt. We will aggressively pursue your case and work to help you obtain the medical care and compensation you need to rebuild your life.

In the event you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a drowsy driving accident involving a tow truck driver, contact the personal injury attorneys at NRS Injury Law by filling out our No-Risk Consultation form, or call (855) GOT-HURT and speak with one of our trained staff members.

Disclaimer: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this Post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

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