How Truck Driver Fatigue Contributes to Atlanta Truck Accidents

Statistics show that commercial truck drivers are asleep behind the wheel more often than most people may realize. In fact, 65 percent of truck drivers admit to experiencing drowsiness while driving and nearly half have actually fallen asleep, according to one source.

While it can be very dangerous for a driver to fall asleep behind the wheel, if that driver is in a commercial truck, the results can be catastrophic. Due to the immense size and weight of commercial trucks, when an accident occurs, the force of impact often leaves victims with fatal injuries.

If you or your loved one has recently been injured in an accident with a commercial truck and you suspect that driver fatigue was the cause, you have a legal right to pursue compensation. It is best to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after a collision, because he or she will know how to perform a thorough investigation to establish whether driver negligence was the cause.

Most Common Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue

Commercial trucks are commonly seen on the road delivering vital goods to communities. However, since trucks are bigger and heavier than automobiles and require more skill to operate, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and each state have enacted laws for commercial truck drivers to protect the safety of all motorists on the road. Some of these laws are specifically in place to prevent truck driver fatigue.

When a truck driver is negligent in following state and federal safety laws, he or she becomes a hazard to other unsuspecting drivers on the road. There are various reasons why truck driver fatigue occurs.

Some of the most common causes include the following:

• Working long hours: One federal regulation states that a truck driver is only allowed to drive 11 hours after being off for at least 10 hours. Also, the driver is required to take a 30-minute break for every 8 hours of continuous driving without at least one 30-minute break. Drivers who exceed the 11-hour requirement are often sleepy while driving. 
• Deadlines: One of the reasons why many truck drivers often exceed the 11-hour limit is trying to reach a destination by the scheduled time. Even if a trucker arrives on time for a pickup, he or she may experience unexpected delays, such as traffic, en route to the delivery location. In an effort to compensate for lost time, a truck driver may continue driving beyond the hour limit.
• Insufficient rest: A truck driver has a responsibility to ensure that he or she sets aside enough time in a day to get an adequate amount of rest. If a driver fails to get enough sleep to feel refreshed, then he or she runs the risk of driving while drowsy.
• Medications: Some truck drivers use certain types of prescription and non-prescription medications that have the side effect of creating drowsiness. Drivers of commercial vehicles must take extra care when under the influence of these medications.
• Increased stress: Driving a truck requires a great deal of concentration. The driver must constantly be on the lookout for other drivers who may carelessly dart in front of the truck, streets where he or she can make wide turns, and how to navigate successfully through traffic. All of this can cause mental exhaustion, leading to fatigue.
• Night driving: Truck drivers often drive at night when there is less traffic on the road. However, night driving has its own challenges since the body’s natural circadian rhythms promote sleeping. As such, a driver may be in a drowsy state while driving.
• Lifestyle: The lifestyle of a truck driver in itself can promote driver fatigue. In an effort to meet deadlines by driving an excessive amount of hours, a truck driver will often rely on unhealthy food and drink less fluids. Such a combination may result in a driver feeling more drowsy.

Why a Fatigued Truck Driver is So Dangerous

Fatigued driving has often been compared to drunk driving. This is because both have a negative effect on a driver’s judgment and reflexes.

When a truck driver is drowsy driving, he or she isn’t fully aware of safe driving practices such as staying in the lane, maintaining a proper distance, and braking when necessary. Needless to say, the results of such driver negligence are, far too often, disastrous.

Why You Need the Assistance of a Truck Accident Lawyer

In the aftermath of a truck accident, one of the first steps you should take after seeking medical attention is to speak with a lawyer who is familiar with truck accident cases. This is because it can be very complicated to prove liability and receive compensation, especially if a suspected drowsy driver was the cause of the truck crash.

You need the assistance of a skillful law firm like Hoffspiegel Law. Our attorneys know how to perform a thorough investigation to establish whether the cause of the accident was indeed driver fatigue. This process includes checking driver logs, receipts, and the truck’s data recorder, among other things.

Let our legal warriors go to work for you and get you the settlement you deserve for your loss. We’ll fight while you focus on healing. Pick up the phone and call [phone number] or click Contact Us for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you with your Atlanta accident.

Photo by Giovanni Spoletini