How Driver Fatigue Can Lead to Commercial Truck Wrecks

 Posted on June 11, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Drowsy driving is a problem that affects many people, and when someone nods off or falls asleep while behind the wheel, this can lead to a dangerous collision. Drowsy driving is even more dangerous for drivers of large semi-trailer trucks since truck accidents are likely to result in serious injuries for people in other vehicles. Unfortunately, driver fatigue is a common issue that affects truck drivers. Those who have been injured in collisions caused by a drowsy or fatigued truck driver will need to work with an attorney to determine how they can hold the driver and/or the trucking company that employed them liable for their damages.

The Dangers of Truck Driver Fatigue

Drowsy driving can have a major impact on a person’s ability to drive safely. Truck drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel may collide with other vehicles or pedestrians, run other cars or trucks off the road, or collide with obstacles, which can result in rollover accidents that affect multiple other vehicles. 

Even if a driver does not fall asleep, drowsiness will cause them to be less attentive to what is happening on the road around them. It can also slow a person’s reaction times and affect their ability to make decisions quickly, meaning that they may be unable to respond quickly enough to avoid a collision. In fact, scientific studies have found that if a person stays awake for 18 hours, this is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .05%, and staying awake for 24 hours is equivalent to a BAC of .08%. The legal BAC limit for commercial truck drivers is .04%.

Truck drivers are especially susceptible to drowsy driving due to the long hours they spend behind the wheel during the course of their work. Even if a driver follows the hours of service regulations that require them to spend time in a sleeping berth between driving shifts, this does not guarantee that they will actually get the sleep they need. Drivers who suffer from conditions such as sleep apnea that affect the quality of their sleep may become fatigued more quickly, and they may also become drowsy due to the use of prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs. 

While truck drivers may attempt to combat drowsiness by rolling down their windows, playing music, or drinking caffeinated beverages, these methods are ineffective, and they will not improve a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. Some truck drivers may use illegal drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamines as stimulants to stay awake, but this can cause significant impairments to their driving ability.

Contact Our Dallas, TX Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a truck wreck, Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. can help you determine whether driver fatigue was a factor, and we will help you pursue compensation from a negligent truck driver or trucking company. Contact our Irving truck crash injury lawyer at 214-221-5800 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/driver-safety/cmv-driving-tips-driver-fatigue

https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/drowsy_driving.html

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving