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When you’re driving, there are many things that can cause an accident. Whatever the cause, if you’ve been in a collision with a truck, contact our trucking accident lawyer Rockford Illinois for a consultation. At Carlson Bier Associates, we will work to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. 312-622-2900.
One of the most common causes of accidents is something called truck driver fatigue. Truck driver fatigue is when a driver has been on the road for too long and has started to feel tired or sleepy behind the wheel. Truck driver fatigue can be caused by many different factors including poor sleep schedules and long hours on the road without taking breaks from driving.
What is Truck Driver Fatigue?
Truck driver fatigue is a serious problem. In fact, it’s one of the most common causes of truck accidents and can lead to devastating injuries. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, truck driver fatigue is a contributing factor in 30 to 40 percent of all heavy truck accidents. If you’ve been involved in such an accident, our trucking accident lawyer Rockford Illinois is here to help. Contact Carlson Bier today for a consultation.
Truck drivers face a number of challenges that make them more likely to experience fatigue on the job. For example, new drivers are often put on long shifts without breaks or enough sleep in between shifts. It’s not unusual for these new drivers to drive for up to 20 hours without stopping or sleeping before their next shift begins. This kind of job schedule is difficult for anyone, but it makes it even harder when you’re driving an 80-ton vehicle down busy highways at 65 mph (105 km/h).
Sleep deprivation can also contribute significantly to truck driver fatigue; after all, you need some amount of restful sleep every day in order for your body and mind to function at their best.
Dr. Charles A. Czeisler, a Harvard Medical School professor and chief of sleep medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, explains that “fatigue is caused by prolonged wakefulness and the resulting accumulation of sleepiness over time.” This means that any situation where you don’t get enough sleep can lead to fatigue, including:
- Sleep deprivation
- Lack of time for naps or sufficient rest at home
- Poor sleep habits (e.g., irregular bedtimes or not turning off all electronics before bed)
- Shift work (such as working overnight shifts)
- Long hours on the road with little opportunity to take breaks or stop driving
The life of a truck driver can make it very difficult to get the right amount of restful sleep and beat fatigue. This is why there is such a high rate of collisions due to fatigue.
Effects of Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck driver fatigue is a serious problem. Truck drivers are often overworked and underpaid, and their jobs often require them to work long hours on short rest periods. In addition, they’re typically away from home for long periods of time.
As a result of these factors, it’s no surprise that many truckers develop health issues caused by sleep deprivation or other causes of chronic fatigue. And if these issues aren’t treated properly by their employers (or by themselves), tired truckers may become more prone to accidents, including ones involving other vehicles on the road.
In addition to the primary effects of truck driver fatigue, such as causing accidents, it can also cause a number of secondary effects. These secondary effects may be even more significant than the primary effect. For example, truck driver fatigue-related accidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities. Furthermore, these accidents damage property and cause environmental damage that can have lasting consequences for years to come.
How Do I Know if Truck Driver Fatigue Caused My Crash?
If you were in a truck accident, there will be an investigation. Part of that will be to determine what caused the accident. When you hire an experienced trucking accident lawyer Rockford Illinois, they will make sure your case is thoroughly investigated. At Carlson Bier Associates, our attorneys have the experience and passion to pursue justice on your behalf.
Your truck accident lawyer should determine if the driver was following federal hours-of-service rules and regulations when he or she caused your crash. If so, then it is more likely that fatigue played a role in causing your crash than if he or she was not following these rules and regulations (which are designed to prevent tired drivers from getting behind the wheel).
Another factor to consider is how long the driver has been awake before the collision occurred; if this time period exceeded 14 hours, many experts believe that truck driver fatigue may have played an important role in causing your crash.
A trucking accident lawyer Rockford Illinois will ensure all liable parties are held accountable
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a truck, it may be wise to contact an attorney. A trucking accident lawyer Rockford Illinois can investigate your case and determine what path is best for you.
A trucking accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses if you were involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler or other large commercial vehicle. They’ll also ensure that the responsible party is held accountable for causing the crash. If appropriate, they’ll go after any insurance companies responsible for paying out claims to victims of such accidents.
The good news is that truck drivers have more options than ever before to help them reduce their risk of suffering fatigue on the job. Trucking companies can implement programs that help their drivers get enough sleep, while also providing them with a safe place to rest during long drives. However, you may still need an attorney if you’ve suffered injuries from a trucking accident. Contact Carlson Bier Associates today.
