Allen Fatigued Driver Truck Accident Lawyer
Many people drive when they’re tired. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep at night. While it might seem harmless, drowsy driving is quite dangerous. Fatigued drivers are responsible for many accidents. When trucks are involved, fatigued driver collisions can be fatal.
If you’re injured by a fatigued truck driver, you may have a long recovery ahead. Truck accident injuries often require surgery, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. You may become temporarily or permanently disabled. Many accident victims are also burdened with large medical bills.
If a fatigued truck driver injures you or someone you love, don’t wait. Take action now. An accident lawyer can help you explore your options. You may be eligible for a settlement. In some cases, the truck driver’s employer may share liability with the driver. This can lead to significant compensation.
Call (469) 998-4069 or schedule an appointment online to speak to an Allen, TX accident attorney. Our legal team will listen to your case, determine liability, and discuss your next steps. Consultations are 100% free and there’s no obligation to use our services. If we take your case, you’ll only pay if we help you win.
Fatigued Driver Dangers
Fatigued driving, also known as drowsy driving, occurs whenever someone gets behind the wheel without enough sleep. Certain medications can also cause fatigue. Although we can’t always control when we become tired, we can do our best to avoid fatigued driving. This reduces your accident risk.
Unfortunately, even the safest drivers cause accidents when they experience fatigue. Commercial truck drivers are highly trained and experienced. They also require special state licensing. However, a commercial truck driver becomes very dangerous when they’re tired. Fatigued truck driver accidents cause severe damages, injuries, and fatalities.
When you’re tired, you become less alert. Your concentration becomes impaired. A fatigued truck driver may misjudge the distance of other cars or objects on the road. They may also drive recklessly. Additionally, their reaction time is much slower. If a tired trucker encounters a hazard on the road, they may not be able to stop in time to avoid it.
In 2017, drowsy driving caused 795 deaths. Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other organizations found that fatigue affects drivers the same way alcohol does. Driving for 20 hours or more without rest is equivalent to driving with a 0.08% blood alcohol level.
The NHTSA estimates that fatigue driving contributes to 91,000 accidents each year. In addition to fatalities, this number includes an estimated 50,000 injuries. However, experts believe that fatigued driver accidents are underreported. Unless a driver admits they were tired or fell asleep, there may be no way to confirm that fatigue played a role in the crash.
When the fatigued driver is operating a large vehicle like a truck, the consequences are even worse. A commercial truck like an 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a fatigued truck driver loses control, they may cause horrendous accidents.
Causes of Fatigued Truck Driver Accidents
The average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. There are many reasons why people don’t get enough sleep. Certain occupations, including truck driving, make it harder to maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Commercial truck drivers also experience high stress levels. Truck driving is a very demanding job, with tight deadlines and long hours. Depending on their route, many truckers also drive overnight. In many cases, fatigue accidents are more likely to occur at night when our bodies are naturally tired. Darkness can also contribute to fatigued truck driver accidents.
Fatigue prevents a truck driver from operating safely. This may lead to the following problems:
Not Enough Stopping Distance
When there’s a hazard in the road, truck drivers can’t just slam on the brakes. Most commercial trucks and tractor-trailers use an air brake system. Air brakes activate the brake pads on the vehicle’s cargo trailer. While this helps the truck stop safely, it takes much longer than normal brakes.
Depending on their weight and speed, a commercial truck may need over 300 feet of road distance to come to a complete stop. This can take several seconds. When fatigued, truck drivers may not stop in time. This results in severe accidents.
Reduced Depth Perception
Fatigue also affects a truck driver’s vision. This can lead to reduced depth perception. Truck drivers may not realize how close they are to another car. They may also misjudge their truck’s speed. As a result, they may collide with other vehicles on the road.
Loss of Coordination
Steering a large commercial truck requires focus and physical coordination. Truck drivers need to be able to react at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, being tired can make them sluggish or clumsy.
A fatigued truck driver may not be able to control their vehicle safely. They may steer incorrectly or apply the wrong amount of pressure to the gas or brake pedals. Loss of coordination leads to many fatigue-related incidents.
Microsleeping
Have you ever been so tired that your eyes closed involuntarily for a few seconds? If so, you’ve experienced a phenomenon known as “microsleeping.” Microsleeping is unfortunately common among fatigued truck drivers. It’s also very dangerous.
At 55 mph, a commercial truck will travel approximately 80 feet in one second. A truck driver who experiences microsleep can cause significant damage in this amount of time. Their vehicle may drift into another lane and crash into another car.
Additionally, some fatigued truck drivers cause accidents when they wake up from a microsleep. They may be startled and overreact by slamming on the brakes or steering suddenly in the wrong direction.
Get Help From a Fatigued Truck Driver Accident Lawyer
If you’re in an accident with a fatigued truck driver, call our law offices in Allen, TX to discuss your legal options. We will help you understand your rights as an accident victim. Consultations are 100% free and you won’t pay for our services unless we help you win a settlement. Call (469) 998-4069 or book online today.
