A fatigued long-haul driver, kept on the road past federal duty limits to make a delivery window, caused a rear-end collision on a stopped traffic queue.
A long-haul tractor-trailer struck a passenger vehicle stopped in a daytime traffic queue. The collision occurred on a clear day with full visibility. The commercial driver had been on duty far beyond federal hours-of-service limits.
ELD records, dispatch communications, and fuel-stop receipts together reconstructed the driver's actual duty cycle. Carrier dispatch had pressured the driver to deliver within a window that could not be achieved within legal duty hours. The carrier's safety policy permitted the violation in practice despite formal compliance language.
The plaintiff sustained spinal injuries, traumatic injuries to the lower extremities, and extended cognitive symptoms. Vocational rehabilitation experts documented permanent impact on career trajectory.
A jury returned a $19.5M verdict against the driver and motor carrier.
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