The Dangers of Drowsy Truck Drivers
This time of year, the holiday package rush has started and this is one of many reasons why there are so many commercial truck drivers on the road. This is the beginning of the season during which trucker drivers will be expected to work even longer hours than usual while trekking on long journeys across the highway. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another, but working in this profession requires some personal sacrifice as these drivers can be away from home for days or weeks at a time. However, these long routes and hours can have a different set of implications – causing truck drivers to become drowsy, resulting in behavior that inadvertently leads to accidents and injuries.
What is Drowsy Driving?
Drowsy driving occurs when driving and sleepiness or fatigue meet. This can happen for various reasons including a lack of sleep, drinking alcohol, untreated sleep disorders, symptoms of medications, or shift work.
How Common is Drowsy Driving?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowsy driving is a major problem in the United States. An estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers aged 18 years or older report having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days. The CDC has also reported that commercial drivers who operate vehicles such as tow trucks, tractor trailers, and buses are one of the groups of people who are more likely to drive drowsy.
What Are Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving?
You should attempt to avoid a truck that is doing the following and, if you can do so safely, alert authorities if you observe a truck driver who is:
- Driving without headlights
- Drifting out of the lane
- Erratically speeding up and slowing down
- Narrowly avoiding hitting objects in or on the side of the road
What if I Receive a Settlement Offer After a Collision With a Truck?
Receiving an early settlement offer is not uncommon when dealing with personal injuries. However, accepting an initial offer is not required and is in fact not recommended. Even if an offer sounds good in the scope of your mounting medical bills, you should also understand that any amount of compensation that an insurance company is willing to easily part with is likely much less than what you are actually entitled to. You should always consult with an experienced personal injury attorney before you agree to a settlement of any kind.
Turn to Us For Help.
If you have been seriously injured in a collision with a commercial truck here in the Sunshine State, you will likely need an experienced legal team to help you maximize your legal rights and options. Figuring out who is liable in a commercial truck accident can be especially difficult because so many entities outside of the driver may also be liable, including the company the driver works for and the truck owner. As the South Florida truck accident attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez, we are here to help you get the financial compensation you need and deserve to put your life back on track following this kind of serious accident. For more information and for help getting the compensation you need, contact us today.
Resource:
bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm
https://www.leiferlaw.com/the-impact-of-trucker-fatigue-on-trucking-accidents/
