Drowsy Driving Truck Accident Lawyers in Buffalo, NY

A Danger to Everyone in Buffalo Roads

You’re driving down I-90 on your way home, tired after a long day. Then a massive semi-truck barrels toward you, swerving slightly between lanes. You tense up, praying the driver notices. But they don’t. Before you know it, there’s a crash, and everything changes in an instant.

This is the reality for too many people. Drowsy truck drivers are out there, and they’re putting everyone on the road at risk. It’s not always because they’re careless—sometimes, it’s because trucking companies push them too hard. 

Either way, if you’ve been injured in a crash with a fatigued trucker, it’s not your fault. You deserve answers. And you deserve justice. Our experienced Buffalo truck accident lawyers are here to help you pick up the pieces and fight back against negligence. 

What Happens When Truckers Don’t Sleep Enough?

Let’s talk about drowsy driving. It doesn’t sound that serious, right? Just someone who’s a little tired? Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. When you’re sleep-deprived, your brain doesn’t react as quickly. Your focus slips. Worst of all, you could even fall asleep at the wheel. Now imagine that happening to someone driving an 80,000-pound truck.

Truck drivers are more likely to drive while tired than almost anyone else. Why?

• Ridiculously long hours. Truckers can drive up to 11 hours straight in one shift. That’s a recipe for exhaustion, no matter how much coffee they drink.
• Unrealistic deadlines. Many trucking companies care more about profits than safety, pressuring drivers to keep going even when they’re clearly too tired to continue.
• Awful sleep schedules. Sleeping in a truck cab isn’t exactly restful, especially when drivers stop at noisy rest areas or try to grab a quick nap on the side of the road.

When truckers push themselves past their limits, everyone pays the price. If you’ve been affected, getting expert legal help for drowsy truck driving accidents can make all the difference.

Why Drowsy Driving and Trucks Don’t Mix

Trucks are scary when they’re involved in a crash. They’re huge, heavy, and take forever to stop. If a truck driver is fatigued, those risks only multiply. Fatigued truckers are a danger because:

• Their reaction times slow way down. If a drowsy driver doesn’t see traffic ahead, they might not hit the brakes until it’s too late.
• They drift out of their lanes. Sleepy drivers struggle to stay focused, often swerving or drifting into other lanes—putting everyone around them in danger.
• They can’t judge distances accurately. Exhaustion messes with depth perception, making it harder for drivers to avoid hitting the car in front of them.

If you’ve been hit by a truck, you already know how bad the damage can be. Broken bones, life-changing injuries, or worse—it’s not just scary. It’s heartbreaking. If you’re wondering about compensation for truck accident victims, it’s important to take action right away.

Rules That Should Protect You (But Often Don’t)

You’d think there’d be strict rules to keep tired truckers off the road. And there are—at least on paper. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration created Hours of Service regulations to limit how long truckers can drive without rest. For example:

• Truckers can drive up to 11 hours in a single shift, but they’re required to rest for 10 hours before starting again.
• After driving for 8 hours, they’re supposed to take a 30-minute break before continuing.
• Drivers can’t exceed 60-70 hours on duty per week, depending on their schedule.

In New York, truckers are also subject to state traffic laws, including New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1160, which governs lane changes and turns, and Section 1180, which enforces speed limits. Violations of these laws, combined with fatigue, often lead to devastating accidents.

Sounds good, right? The problem is these rules don’t always get followed. Some drivers fudge their logs, and some companies encourage it. Why? Faster deliveries mean more money. 

Meanwhile, you’re left dealing with the fallout when they cause an accident. An experienced fatigued truck driver liability lawyer can help uncover these violations and hold the responsible parties accountable.

How to Tell If a Truck Driver Was Too Tired

After an accident, it’s not always obvious that drowsiness was the cause. But there are clues. Investigators look for signs like:

• Erratic driving. If the trucker was swerving, braking suddenly, or drifting out of their lane, it’s a red flag.
• Falsified driving logs. Drivers are required to log their hours electronically, but some still try to cover up violations by altering records.
• Dashcam or witness evidence. Video footage or witness statements can confirm whether the driver seemed tired or distracted before the crash.

This is why working with a Buffalo personal injury attorney is so important. We know how to dig into the details and prove when fatigue played a role.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

If you’ve been in a crash, your life probably feels like it’s been turned upside down. You’re hurting, you’re overwhelmed, and you might not know where to start. Here’s what to focus on:

1. Take care of yourself. Your health comes first. Get checked out by a doctor, even if you feel okay. Some injuries—like concussions or internal bleeding—don’t show symptoms right away.
2. Call the police. An official accident report is critical for proving what happened. Don’t skip this step, even if the truck driver tries to convince you otherwise.
3. Document everything. Take pictures of the crash, your injuries, and anything else that seems important. If there are witnesses, get their contact information.
4. Don’t talk to the trucking company’s insurer. They’re not on your side, no matter how nice they sound. Anything you say could hurt your claim.
5. Call a truck accident lawyer. This isn’t the kind of case you can handle on your own. A lawyer can deal with the insurance companies and make sure you’re treated fairly.

We know this process can feel overwhelming. But you’re not alone—we’re here to help.

Why Buffalo Trusts Horn Wright, LLP

You’ve been through enough. The last thing you need is to fight this battle on your own. Horn Wright, LLP, has handled truck accident cases for decades, and we know how to stand up to big trucking companies.

Here’s what we do:

• Dig into the details. From driver logs to black box data, we gather every shred of evidence to build your case.
• Fight for what you deserve. Whether it’s covering medical bills or getting back wages you’ve lost, we’ll make sure you’re not shortchanged.
• Stand by your side. You won’t have to wonder what’s next—we’ll guide you every step of the way.

We’re proud to be recognized as one of the best law firms in America for our dedication to helping clients like you. Drowsy truck drivers shouldn’t get away with the damage they cause. If you’ve been hurt, it’s time to take action. 

If you're ready, call us for your free consultation. Our trusted truck accident lawyers will fight for your rights, your recovery, and your peace of mind. Let’s start putting your life back together. You’ve got this—we've got this.