There are a number of reasons that a fatigued truck driver can be dangerous. Drowsy driving is a significant contributor to many types of Louisiana accidents, and a truck driver is behind the wheel of a powerful vehicle that can cause much worse accidents than a small car.
Obstacles for truck drivers
Truck drivers are less likely to be able to maneuver easily, and this means that when their reaction time is already slowed by fatigue, it can be even harder for them to react in time to something happening on the road in front of them. Even when not tired, they are also hampered by large blind spots. This can make dealing with drowsiness even more challenging.
Dangers of drowsy driving
Truck drivers are under pressure to get their deliveries done as quickly as possible. This means that they may try to push through conditions that can cause fatigue, such as illness or shift work. While they are limited to driving a certain number of consecutive hours broken up by rest breaks, they can still become fatigued within those limitations. Drowsiness can affect drivers in a similar way to alcohol, affecting a driver’s decision-making abilities and motor skills and resulting in truck accidents.
The role that fatigue plays in a crash can be difficult to determine because it may rely on self-reporting, and people often do not want to admit that they fell asleep at the wheel. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that in 2017, around 50,000 people were injured in accidents that involved driving while fatigued. If you are injured in an accident caused by a drowsy truck driver, the company the driver was working for may be considered responsible, and you may be owed compensation that can help the cover your medical expenses and other losses.
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