Semi-Truck Driver Fatigue & Sleep Deprivation — Causes, Dangers, Death Statistics, and What Victims Should Do

What Is Driver Fatigue in Semi-Truck Crashes?

Driver fatigue is physical or mental exhaustion that reduces alertness, slows reaction time, and impairs judgment. Fatigue can lead to drifting, lane departures, rear-end crashes, and rollovers. Because semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 lbs, fatigue-related mistakes are often catastrophic.

Government Findings on Fatigue

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that 13% of commercial motor vehicle drivers in serious crashes were fatigued at the time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 5,472 people killed in large-truck crashes in 2023, with 153,452 injured (NSC). Most victims were occupants of other vehicles.

Why Fatigue Happens in semi-truck drivers:

• Long hours and irregular schedules

• Pressure to meet delivery deadlines

• Driver detention at shippers reduces rest time

• Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea

• Overnight and early-morning driving

• Poor training

• Long, monotonous mileage on interstates

Chicago & Midwest Risks

Busy freight corridors such as I-80, I-55, I-90/94, and I-294 increase the risk of fatigue-related crashes, especially in winter conditions.

Common Injuries from semi-truck accidents due to fatigue and sleep deprivation:

• Traumatic brain injury

• Spinal cord damage

• Internal bleeding

• Crush injuries

• Wrongful death

What To Do After a Fatigue-Related Crash

1. Call 911

2. Photograph vehicle positions and road conditions

3. Seek immediate medical evaluation

4. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers

5. Quickly contact a successful truck-accident attorney such as the Vrodolyak Law Group. Trucking companies will send out their team of experts following a crash to collect data to prove the accident was your fault. You deserve a legal team with the experience, knowledge, and resources to collect data and analyze the accident.

Evidence in Tire-Failure Cases May Include:

• Tire scraps or wheel fragments

• Maintenance and inspection records

• Black-box data (ECM/EDR)

• Driver logs

• Pre and post-trip inspection documentation

• Loading and weight records

  
  

Sources

- FMCSA Hours-of-Service and Fatigue Data

- NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2023: Large Trucks

- National Safety Council, Injury Facts

- U.S. DOT OIG, Impact of Driver Detention on Safety

- FMCSA Large Truck Crash Causation Study