Can I Sue If a Truck Driver Fell Asleep at the Wheel?
Semi-trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds require complete focus to operate safely. But long hours, pressure to deliver on time, and poor sleep schedules mean some drivers push past safe limits. When a trucker nods off — even for seconds — the results can be catastrophic. If you were injured in a crash caused by driver fatigue, you may be able to sue and recover compensation. A skilled Ventura truck accident lawyer can help you prove what happened and hold every responsible party accountable.
Why truck driver fatigue is so dangerous
Falling asleep at the wheel isn’t always a full blackout. Microsleeps — brief, uncontrolled episodes of sleep — can last only a few seconds but are enough to drift lanes or rear-end stopped traffic. Fatigue also slows reaction time, blurs judgment, and mimics alcohol impairment.
Because of the risk, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limits how long truckers can drive before resting. These “hours-of-service” rules require breaks and cap daily and weekly driving time. Yet violations happen regularly when companies pressure drivers to meet deadlines or when drivers skip rest to earn more miles.
Who you can sue after a fatigue-related truck crash
You’re not limited to suing the driver alone. Multiple parties can share liability:
- The truck driver: For ignoring rest requirements, falsifying logbooks, or driving while dangerously drowsy.
- The trucking company (carrier): If it pushed unrealistic schedules, failed to monitor electronic logging devices (ELDs), or ignored red flags about fatigue.
- Shippers or brokers: If they pressured faster delivery or hired unsafe carriers.
- Truck maintenance or loading crews: If poor mechanical condition or overweight loads contributed to the severity of the crash.
A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer in Ventura will review dispatch records, ELD data, driver qualification files, and company policies to uncover every responsible party.
Proving the driver fell asleep
Fatigue can be hard to admit and easy for a driver to deny, but strong evidence often exists:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) records showing violations of hours-of-service limits.
- Dispatch communications pressuring faster delivery or ignoring required breaks.
- Driver phone data revealing late-night driving or inconsistent rest.
- Eyewitness accounts describing drifting, swerving, or no braking before impact.
- Accident reconstruction and truck data showing no evasive maneuvers or braking.
- Medical or toxicology records if the driver had sleep disorders, used stimulants, or was on sedating medication.
An experienced Ventura truck crash attorney acts quickly to send preservation letters so this data isn’t deleted or overwritten.
Damages you can claim after a fatigue-related truck accident
Truck crashes often cause life-changing injuries: spinal damage, traumatic brain injury, amputations, multiple fractures, and severe psychological harm. A successful claim can include:
- Medical bills — ER care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and lifetime treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Property damage and vehicle replacement
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed
In some cases, punitive damages may apply if the driver or company showed conscious disregard for safety by ignoring rest rules.
What to do right after the crash
- Get immediate medical help. Even if you feel “just shaken up,” internal injuries and concussion symptoms often appear later.
- Call police and request a detailed report. Fatigue clues (no skid marks, driver statements) matter later.
- Document the scene. Photos of the truck, your vehicle, road conditions, and dashcam footage can help.
- Collect witness information. Bystanders may have seen drifting or the driver asleep.
- Contact a Ventura truck accident lawyer quickly. Time-sensitive evidence like ELD data and dispatch records can vanish if not requested fast.
Why hiring the right lawyer matters
Fatigue-related truck cases are complex. Federal trucking regulations, electronic logs, and multiple layers of insurance make these claims different from a standard car accident. A seasoned Ventura truck accident lawyer will:
- Move fast to preserve and analyze ELD data, driver logs, and GPS routes
- Investigate the carrier’s dispatch practices and safety record
- Work with accident reconstruction experts and sleep specialists
- Value your long-term damages, including medical needs and lost earning capacity
- Negotiate aggressively or take the case to trial if insurers refuse fair settlement
Bojat Law Group is known for digging deep into trucking safety violations and building strong, evidence-based cases for victims across Ventura and Southern California.
Call Ventura Truck Accident Lawyer at Bojat Law Group
If you suspect the trucker who hit you was asleep or dangerously fatigued, don’t wait. Evidence disappears quickly and California’s statute of limitations gives most victims only two years to file. Call Bojat Law Group at (818) 877-4878 or reach out through the contact form for a free consultation with a skilled Ventura truck accident lawyer. The sooner you act, the better your chances of uncovering critical proof and securing the full compensation you deserve.