Ryan Bradley | April 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
Key Takeaways:
- Despite federal hours-of-service regulations, driver fatigue contributes to nearly 13% of commercial truck crashes.
- While the rate of fatal accidents with commercial trucks in Missouri is slightly receding after a peak of 162 in 2022, there were still 137 fatal truck accidents in the state in 2023 (the most recent available data).
- Victims of truck accidents have important legal rights in Missouri, including five years to file claims, the ability to recover damages even if partially at fault, and no caps on compensation.
Every time you pass a semi-truck on I-70, there’s a hidden danger you might not consider: Is that truck driver fighting off sleep? While you’re checking your mirrors and staying alert, a fatigued driver behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle could be struggling to stay awake.
The trucking industry, driven by impossible deadlines and tight margins, often pushes drivers beyond their limits. Unfortunately, this results in fatigue-related truck crashes that endanger every motorist on the road. If you or someone you love has suffered truck accident injuries, understanding your rights under Missouri personal injury law is critical.
At Bradley Law, our Missouri truck accident lawyers have seen the devastating impact of truck driver fatigue. In this guide, we’ll cover the causes of fatigued driving, how to spot a fatigued truck driver, and what to do if you are injured in a commercial truck crash.
Key Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue
Fatigued truck driving across Missouri’s highways and throughout the country isn’t happening by chance. Here’s what may be pushing truckers past the point of safety:
- Impossible Deadlines: Carriers promise “just-in-time” deliveries, and missing a 30-minute delivery window can cost drivers their contracts or even trigger financial penalties.
- PPM Pay Structure: Many truckers earn on a pay-per-mile (PPM) basis, not by the hour. This means every minute spent resting, even if legally required, is money lost. The pressure to keep driving can be intense for drivers trying to make ends meet.
- Driver Shortages: According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the industry is short tens of thousands of drivers. This means the remaining workforce faces increased workloads and tighter schedules. In Missouri, where I-70 serves as a vital east-west corridor, the shortage translates to overworked and fatigued drivers.
- Nowhere to Rest: Missouri’s Department of Transportation recently closed several designated truck rest areas for refurbishment, leaving drivers with fewer safe options when fatigue sets in. Truckers must drive longer and further to find a legal parking place.
These are just some of the industry pressures directly contributing to Missouri truck crashes where fatigue plays a role.
Missouri Truck Accident Statistics: The Scope of the Problem
While the number of fatal semi-truck accidents in Missouri declined slightly from 162 in 2022 to 137 in 2023, the threat remains deadly. Behind each statistic is a family grieving an irreplaceable loss.
Truck accident injuries are often severe. Physics is unforgiving when a 30-ton truck collides with a passenger car.
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), most fatalities in truck crashes happen to people in cars, while the truck drivers are relatively well-protected in their cabs.
When Do Fatigue-Related Truck Crashes Happen Most?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the most dangerous times for accidents are between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and again between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. This is when our bodies tend to reach their lowest point of alertness, and fatigue or drowsiness sets in.
Spotting Fatigued Truck Drivers: Warning Signs
Your ability to identify a fatigued truck driver could save your life. Here’s what to watch for and how to respond:
- Erratic Driving Patterns: Trucks drifting across lane markings before suddenly correcting or those suddenly speeding up and slowing down without reason may be operated by distracted or tired drivers.
- Risky Driving: Be wary if a truck driver fails to adjust speed for traffic conditions or follows too closely behind vehicles. These giveaways may indicate the driver’s attention is waning.
What to Do to Stay Safe
If you believe a truck driver is falling asleep at the wheel or driving in a careless and reckless way, consider the following:
- Increase your following distance
- Use turn signals well in advance, maintain consistent speeds, and avoid sudden lane changes or stops around large trucks
- Pass a truck swiftly (while observing speed limits) and safely instead of lingering beside the vehicle
- Change lanes or take an exit to create distance between you and the truck
- Since fatigue-related truck accidents peak in the early morning hours, consider avoiding nighttime driving
- Report unsafe drivers by calling the Missouri Highway Patrol at *55 and providing officers with the trucking company name and license plate
Your Legal Rights After a Missouri Truck Accident
If the worst happens and you’re hurt in a truck accident, you’ll need to know how to protect your rights. The clock starts ticking the moment metal meets metal. While you’re still in shock and processing what happened, the trucking company may already be working to minimize its liability.
- Demand Evidence Preservation: Act fast to legally secure the truck’s black box data, driver’s logbooks, and cell phone records before they “disappear.” An attorney can obtain this crucial data for you.
- File Within Five Years: Missouri’s statute of limitations gives you exactly five years from the crash date to file your lawsuit—miss this deadline by just a day, and you may be permanently barred from recovering compensation.
- Understand Comparative Fault: Missouri follows “pure comparative fault” rules, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. However, note that your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
- No Damage Caps: Missouri law entitles accident victims to seek maximum compensation for both economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering).
- Legal Counsel: Hire an experienced attorney to protect your legal rights. They will dig deeper than driver negligence, identify all potential at-fault parties, and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Having a skilled truck accident lawyer in Missouri is essential to building a strong case. A qualified attorney will explore all angles of trucking company negligence, including hours of service violations, faulty maintenance, and negligent hiring practices.
Why Truck Accident Victims Trust Bradley Law
At Bradley Law, we understand what you’re facing. Beyond the physical pain and emotional trauma, truck accident victims often battle enormous financial pressure from lost wages and mounting medical bills. Meanwhile, trucking companies and their insurers deploy teams of lawyers to deny and delay your claim.
Our Missouri truck accident lawyers know how to fight back. We aggressively pursue maximum compensation for victims of fatigue-related truck crashes, ensuring negligent truckers and companies are held accountable.
Get Help from a Truck Accident Lawyer in Missouri Today
An exhausted truck driver can change your life in seconds, but you don’t have to face the fight for justice alone. We understand the struggles victims experience in the aftermath of a crash, including the crushing weight of medical bills, lost income, and never-ending insurance battles. Don’t forget, the powerful trucking companies will deploy teams of lawyers to fight claims tooth and nail.
At Bradley Law, we’ve seen firsthand how truck accidents affect Missouri families. Our truck accident lawyers have helped countless victims and families recover the compensation they deserve. Don’t let the trucking company get a head start. Take action today and contact us for a free consultation to learn about your rights and the next best steps.